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App Store sees 84% surge in new apps as AI coding tools take off

9to5mac.com

April 9, 2026

4 min read

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Summary

The App Store has experienced an 84% increase in new app submissions due to the rise of AI coding tools. Despite a 46% decline in new app submissions from 2016 to 2024, the number of new apps globally has surged significantly.

Key Takeaways

The App Store experienced an 84% surge in new app submissions, with nearly 600,000 new apps added in the past year, largely due to the rise of AI coding tools.
AI coding tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex enable nonprogrammers to create apps using written prompts and help skilled programmers produce more code efficiently.
Apple is facing challenges with app review times amid the increase in submissions, although the company claims it processes 90% of submissions within 48 hours.
Apple has blocked or pulled updates from certain AI-based coding apps that violate App Review Guidelines, indicating ongoing scrutiny of how these tools generate code.

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Analysis ready

Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

AI-driven platforms are enabling individuals with no coding experience to bring their app ideas to life, democratizing app development and fulfilling personal aspirations.
The potential for drastically reduced development costs could transform how users discover and interact with apps, similar to TikTok's impact on video content.

Concerns

The surge in new apps may lead to a flood of low-quality applications, as evidenced by the proliferation of trivial ideas without substantial value.
There is a lack of concrete examples of successful apps created through AI coding tools, raising questions about their practical impact in the market.