App Store Experiences 84% Surge in New Apps Fueled by AI Coding Tools
The App Store has witnessed a remarkable 84% increase in new app submissions, a surge largely attributed to the advent and widespread adoption of AI-powered coding tools. These innovative tools have democratized app development, enabling individuals without traditional programming backgrounds to create functional applications through simple text prompts.
Between 2016 and 2024, the number of new app submissions to the App Store declined by 46%. However, this trend reversed dramatically in 2025, with new app submissions growing by 30% to nearly 600,000 compared to the previous year. This resurgence aligns with the release and rapid adoption of AI coding tools such as Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex. These tools have significantly lowered the barriers to app development, allowing non-programmers to produce workable apps using written prompts and enabling experienced developers to generate code more efficiently.
Abraham Yousef, a senior insights analyst at Sensor Tower, noted, We’ve seen an explosive growth of new apps over the past year. It aligns with a broader release of agentic coding tools that remove prior difficulties of creating apps.
In response to this surge, Apple has been scrutinizing certain AI-generated applications to ensure compliance with its App Review Guidelines and Developer Program License. Notably, Apple has taken action against apps like Anything and Replit, either pulling them from the App Store or blocking their updates. The primary concern is that some of these apps generate interpreted code that can alter their primary purpose, a practice not permitted by Apple.
The influx of new apps has also raised questions about the capacity of Apple’s App Review teams to manage the increased workload. Some developers have reported longer review times, with high-profile figures like Elon Musk commenting on the delays. However, Apple maintains that review times have not lengthened, stating that 90% of submissions are processed within 48 hours. The company also revealed that, while human reviewers assess every app submission, AI tools are increasingly being utilized to assist in the review process.
This surge in app submissions underscores the transformative impact of AI on the app development landscape. By simplifying the coding process, AI tools have empowered a broader range of individuals to participate in app creation, leading to a more diverse and innovative App Store ecosystem.
