Lots of people download health apps, but here's why many stop using them

iOS health
iOS health

Fitness and health apps are like that gym membership you keep wanting to make use out of but just can't find the time. Plenty of people download these apps in the hope that it will get them off the sofa and into better shape, but then a lot of people just stop using them.

A new survey in the US has analysed 1,604 smartphone users on what apps they download and if they've managed to keep up using them over time.

Out of that sample 58% of people claimed to have download a fitness app at some point in their phone's lifetime. 42% have downloaded five or more fitness related apps in the past.

There are an estimated 40,000 different apps to choose from out there though, so it's no surprise people download more than one.

But out of those who actually downloaded the apps, 65% think it has improved their health in some way – but 46 percent admitted to not using the app anymore.

Couch to... well, couch

Most cited cost of keeping fit, disinterest in the app and privacy concerns to be the reason they stopped using the app.

It's interesting that privacy is a reason here - it seems people don't like apps knowing where they've exercised and how well they are doing.

But most of these apps push you to share your data on social networks, so not only does the app know your fitness levels, but so do all your friends.

James Peckham

James is the Editor-in-Chief at Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.

Latest in Websites & Apps
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, March 25 (game #1156)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, March 25 (game #387)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #1155)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #386)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #385)
Latest in News
Disney Plus logo with popcorn
You can finally tell Disney+ to stop bugging you about that terrible Marvel show you regret starting
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand
Hatch Restore 3 in Putty
You can finally start your day with The Office theme song, and I couldn't be more excited
Cassian Andor looking nervously over his shoulder in Andor season 2
New Andor season 2 trailer has got Star Wars fans asking the same question – and it includes an ominous call back to Rogue One's official teaser
Ncuti Gatwa as The Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
Disney+ drops new trailer for Doctor Who season 2 that promises an epic adventure across time and space