In a surprise move, Top Widgets has taken over the top spot on the U.S. App Store’s free apps list, displacing BeReal. The app maker from Sichuan, China has witnessed an astonishing 1,812% increase in downloads following the release of iOS 16.
Rise to Fame
Top Widgets was first introduced by Chengdu Guluoying Technology Co. in August 2020 with the intention of capitalizing on the introduction of Home Screen widgets in iOS 14. The app gained a significant boost after Apple released iOS 16, which added support for Lock Screen widgets.
Downloads Surge
In the two days following Monday’s iOS 16 launch, Top Widgets received approximately 1.3 million downloads, compared to around 68,000 installs during the preceding two-day period. This remarkable growth has contributed to the app topping 30 million worldwide installs since its inception, according to data from Sensor Tower.
Regional Breakdown
Top Widgets has seen a notable presence in China, with over 25.8 million lifetime downloads (86% of total) and 730,000 U.S. installations (2% of total). In addition to ranking at No. 1 on the U.S. App Store as of Thursday, Top Widgets is also the top app in 58 other global markets and holds the Utilities category’s top spot in 80 markets.
Features that Distinguish it from Others
Top Widgets offers various features that set it apart from other widget designers:
- Transparent widgets: Unlike traditional widgets, these do not obstruct background wallpaper.
- Quick launcher widgets: This feature allows users to access favorite apps within a widget format, offering more customization options than app icons.
- x-panel widgets: These single dashboards provide essential information like battery percentage, storage space used, Wi-Fi toggles, and more.
iOS 16 Lock Screen Integration
The latest version of Top Widgets seamlessly integrates with iOS 16’s Lock Screen features. Users can easily access and customize their Lock Screens using the app’s intuitive interface.
Developer Information
Top Widgets is published under Chengdu Guluoying Technology Co., with no provided developer contact information apart from a postal mailing address. TechCrunch made attempts to reach the company via standard email addresses before publication but did not receive a response.
Conclusion
The sudden surge in downloads for Top Widgets following iOS 16’s release can be attributed to its innovative features and user-friendly design. As Apple continues to push boundaries with new technologies, users are eager to explore these advancements on their devices.
