Threads Overtakes X in Daily Mobile Users, Signals Shift in Social Media Engagement

The global social media arena is undergoing a notable transition, with Meta-owned Threads surpassing X in daily active users on mobile devices. Media reports citing market intelligence firm Similarweb reveal that as of January 7, 2026, Threads logged 141.5 million daily active users across iOS and Android. By comparison, X registered approximately 125 million daily active users on mobile platforms.

This milestone highlights Threads’ rapid rise, having reached this level in about 18 months since launch. The data suggests the shift stems from sustained usage patterns rather than a short-term spike triggered by recent controversies surrounding X. While X continues to lead in web-based usage with considerably higher daily visits than Threads, the contest for everyday mobile engagement is clearly leaning in Meta’s direction.

Threads’ mobile growth has been steady and incremental, pointing to a measured emphasis on product refinement and distribution. Reports indicate that Meta’s aggressive cross-promotion of Threads across Facebook and Instagram has been a key driver of adoption, enabling the platform to leverage its vast existing user ecosystem. Alongside this, Threads has rapidly introduced new features and placed sharper focus on creators, enhancing its attractiveness as a daily-use app.

Despite X facing regulatory scrutiny and investigations in several regions linked to concerns around its integrated AI model, Similarweb data shows that Threads’ upward momentum began well before these issues emerged. This indicates the shift is driven less by reactive user movement and more by evolving consumption habits in a mobile-first social media landscape.

Overall, the data points to a wider truth for digital platforms: leadership is increasingly shaped by execution, user experience, and ecosystem strength especially on mobile, where daily engagement has become the most decisive metric.