Record-Breaking Millions Turn to Scripture in the New Year

As millions set goals for the new year, one digital trend stands out: a sharp global increase in Bible engagement.

On Sunday, January 4, YouVersion’s Bible App recorded its highest activity ever. App installs and daily use were both approximately 20% higher than the same day last year, with more than 22.2 million people opening the app in a single day.

The momentum began on January 1, when nearly 2 million users subscribed to Bible reading plans in a single day, continuing a trend of rising engagement since last year. This comes just two months after YouVersion surpassed one billion installs worldwide in November.

Taken together with the remarkable reports of increased Bible purchases, these figures point to a broader cultural moment of renewed interest in religious texts and practices, shaped by both traditional formats and technology platforms. It reflects faith habits that are increasingly global, enabled digitally, and closely tied to the “reset” impulse that marks the beginning of a new year.

“We continue to be encouraged by the incredible momentum around Bible engagement. In 2025, we saw the highest number of people in YouVersion history engage in Scripture through the Bible App, and 2026 looks set to become another record-breaking year with so many people hungry to start the year with God’s Word,” said Bobby Gruenewald, Founder and CEO of YouVersion.

‍“Something remarkable is happening. As people look for meaning, direction and hope they’re finding it in the transformative power of Scripture in their daily lives. This isn’t just for people familiar with the Bible, but even with those who have never considered it before.”