Threads Surpasses X in Daily Mobile Users: A New Era in Social Media Engagement
In a significant shift within the social media landscape, Meta’s Threads has overtaken Elon Musk’s X in daily active users on mobile platforms. According to a recent report by market intelligence firm Similarweb, as of January 7, 2026, Threads boasted 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android devices, surpassing X’s 125 million daily active users on mobile.
This development marks a pivotal moment for Threads, which has been steadily gaining traction since its launch. The platform’s growth trajectory has been impressive, with Meta reporting over 400 million monthly active users by August 2025. This upward trend suggests that Threads is not only attracting new users but also retaining them effectively.
Several factors contribute to Threads’ rising popularity. Meta’s strategic cross-promotion through its established platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, has played a crucial role in driving user engagement. By integrating Threads into the broader Meta ecosystem, the company has provided users with a seamless experience, encouraging them to adopt the new platform.
Moreover, Threads has been proactive in introducing features that resonate with its user base. Over the past year, the platform has rolled out interest-based communities, enhanced filtering options, direct messaging capabilities, support for long-form text, and disappearing posts. These additions have enriched the user experience, making Threads a more versatile and appealing platform.
In contrast, X has faced challenges that may have contributed to its decline in daily mobile users. The platform has been embroiled in controversies, including the misuse of its integrated AI, Grok, to generate non-consensual explicit images. Such issues have led to investigations by authorities in California, the UK, the EU, India, Brazil, and other regions. These developments have raised concerns about user safety and content moderation on X, potentially driving users to seek alternative platforms like Threads.
Despite Threads’ success on mobile, X continues to maintain a strong presence on the web. Similarweb’s data indicates that X had approximately 145.4 million daily web visits as of January 13, 2026, significantly outpacing Threads’ 8.5 million daily web visits across Threads.com and Threads.net combined. This disparity highlights the different user engagement patterns between the two platforms, with X retaining a loyal web-based audience.
The competition between Threads and X underscores the dynamic nature of the social media industry. As platforms vie for user attention, the ability to innovate and address user concerns becomes paramount. Threads’ recent achievements suggest that Meta’s approach to integrating new features and leveraging its existing ecosystem is resonating with users.
Looking ahead, the sustainability of Threads’ growth will depend on its continued ability to adapt to user needs and maintain a safe and engaging environment. Similarly, X’s response to its current challenges and its strategies to regain user trust will be critical in determining its future trajectory.
In conclusion, Threads’ surpassing of X in daily mobile users signifies a notable shift in user preferences within the social media domain. This development reflects the importance of innovation, user engagement, and trust in shaping the success of social media platforms.
