A unified theoretical model for understanding mobile application usage behavior supported with real usage data

Technological advancements have added numerous features to smartphones, enhancing our daily lives through various apps. But with so many apps out there, picking the right one can be tough. Plus, developing an app requires a lot of money and time, risking losses if it doesn't attract users. This study looks into how users are influenced by others’ opinions and experiences when choosing and sticking with an app. Three theories–Social Impact Theory (SIT), Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM), and Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2)–are combined to explain the process from download to continued use. Real mobile app usage data was analyzed. Results from 912 surveys and 87 real usage records show that people are swayed by download numbers, star ratings, and user satisfaction. The number of sources, immediacy, and power affect social impact. Social impact, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, price, habit, and confirmation also influence continued use intention. On average, people spend 2197 s daily on smartphones. Tools & Productivity is the most popular category, with an average of 29 apps used daily. These apps have 100M + downloads on average and a 4-star rating. The findings offer valuable insights for developers and marketers on what makes an app preferable and actively used among many choices.