Social video app TikTok has continues to go from strength to strength, as an estimate was released today that its app has been downloaded 2 billion times.

The number comes today from analytics firm Sensor Tower Inc. and includes downloads from both Google Play and the Apple App Store. Underlying just how quickly TikTok continues to grow, the figure comes five months after TikTok passed 1.5 billion downloads and included 315 million installations in the first quarter.

While momentum has been building for TikTok for several years, Sensor Tower notes that its latest surge comes amid the global COVID-19 pandemic which “has seen consumers drawn to their mobile devices more than ever as they look for new ways to shop, work and connect with others.”

India has become the most popular country for TikTok users, with 611 million lifetime downloads, followed by China with an estimated 196.6 million for Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. The Chinese figure does not include third-party app stores, meaning that the number may be significantly higher. The U.S. rounds out the top three with 165 million installations.

With more users has come increasing revenue. Sensor Tower estimated lifetime user spending on $456.7 million through the app. TikTok users can buy coins that they can then use to tip creators or purchase emoji.

“While TikTok was on the ascent before 2020, the app has hit new levels of popularity so far this year,” Sensor Tower concluded. “Its record-breaking Q1 came during a global pandemic, leading in part to an increase in downloads, engagement and revenue. The continuous rise of TikTok gives it an ever-bigger foundation to not only enjoy success for the short-term but build for the long-term to keep competitors — both existing and emerging — at bay.”

Those competitors later in the year could include YouTube which was rumored to be developing a TikTok rival called “Shorts” April 1. Facebook Inc. launched its own rival called “Lasso” in late 2018 but failed to gain serious traction. According to Google Play the app has been downloaded more than 5 million times since its launch, to mixed reviews.

Image: TikTok