his November, YouVersion will celebrate an extraordinary milestone: one billion device installs across its family of Bible apps. From a simple idea in an airport security line to one of the most downloaded apps in history, YouVersion’s journey reflects a growing global hunger for Scripture and the power of technology to meet that need.
This milestone comes during a record-breaking year for Bible engagement, with YouVersion global app installs up more than 12% year-over-year and daily usage growing even faster, with an 18% increase compared to last year. Used in every country around the world, the YouVersion Family of Apps also sees one billion app opens every 39 days, highlighting the growing engagement of its global user base.
“We’re seeing incredible global momentum around Bible engagement, and it’s humbling to be part of what’s happening,” said Bobby Gruenewald, Founder and CEO of YouVersion. “Every day we hear stories of lives being changed—someone overcoming addiction, marriages being restored, people encountering Scripture in their own language for the first time. This milestone is really a celebration of the Bible itself and what happens when people around the world work together to get it into the hands and hearts of more people.”
Reaching Regions Worldwide
Since the original Bible App was released in 2008, YouVersion has grown to help people engage with the Bible in over 2,300 languages, including Swahili, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu and many other African languages. Reflecting growing global demand for digital access to the Bible, YouVersion’s apps have been installed across Sub-Saharan Africa more than 37.1 million times this year, with 27.7 million of those being Bible App Lite installs. The lite app was specifically designed to help people access God’s Word in areas like Africa with device and data limitations.
Meeting the unique spiritual needs of regions around the world through localisation and partnership, YouVersion’s global network has expanded to include over 31,000 partners, including 7,224 Content Partners and 25,000+ churches. In Africa, YouVersion works with more than 1,150 partners like Doxa Deo, Christian Art Publishers, Compassion International, ICC Nairobi, Watoto Church, Soma Biblia and many other ministries, making it possible to offer more content that’s specifically designed for the African community.
“There is a powerful movement happening across Africa with people deeply engaging with Scripture in their heart language,” said Joseph Gachira, YouVersion Hub Leader in Kenya. “It’s exciting to see how lives are being transformed through digital access to Scripture. With offline downloads and data-light features of Bible App Lite, people can connect with God’s Word no matter where they are.”
Celebrating Global Bible Month
What’s happening in Africa reflects a larger story unfolding worldwide. As YouVersion approaches one billion app installs, the ministry is partnering with others—including Glorify, Hallow, The Bible Project, and more—to launch Global Bible Month this November as a worldwide invitation to reflect on the Bible’s impact today.
At the heart of this campaign is a 30-Day Bible Challenge, encouraging people to engage with Scripture daily throughout the month, no matter the format. Whether through the YouVersion app, another digital platform, or a favourite print edition, the goal is simply to make time each day to connect with God’s Word and experience firsthand the transformative power of Scripture.
“In a world where everyone’s searching for what’s real and true, we’ve seen one thing consistently transform lives, and that’s daily engagement with Scripture,” said Gruenewald. “That’s why this November, we’re simply inviting people to try something different: read the Bible for 30 days and see what happens. You might just find that the answer you were searching for has been there all along.”
YouVersion will also host a celebration at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on 17 November, bringing together Christian leaders and Bible-centred organisations from around the world. The event will feature powerful worship from artists like Lauren Daigle, Phil Wickham, and Brooke Ligertwood, alongside speakers including Christine Caine and Craig Groeschel. It will spotlight powerful stories of lives changed through Scripture whilst casting vision for the future of Bible engagement worldwide.
The YouVersion Story
YouVersion began as a simple idea when founder Bobby Gruenewald was waiting in an airport security queue, asking himself: ‘What if technology could help me read the Bible more consistently?’ It launched first as a website, but gained real momentum after becoming one of the first mobile apps available when the App Store opened in 2008.
Seventeen years later, the Bible App has grown into a digital phenomenon, engaging millions daily with Scripture in a way that’s more accessible than ever. YouVersion is a robust digital platform, offering over 3,600 Bible translations in more than 2,300 languages. It features Bible Plans, a popular Verse of the Day feature, Guided Prayer, video content, and tools designed for both personal reflection and community engagement. On average, the platform adds more than 1,200 pieces of content—including videos and devotional Plans—each month.
Offering more than just a Bible reader, YouVersion’s apps are designed to meet users in the rhythms of everyday life. At its core, YouVersion remains committed to making the Bible not only accessible, but deeply relevant to a global and increasingly digital audience.
Discussion about this post