Locket, a photo-sharing app that places friends’ photos directly onto users’ smartphone home screens via widgets, is rapidly gaining popularity among Generation Alpha users, those aged roughly 13 to 17 years old. This surge in adoption is driven largely by Locket’s new feature called Rollcall, which encourages users to share weekly “photo dumps” — collections of unpolished, authentic photos that disappear after seven days, fostering a private and intimate social experience.
Launched initially in 2022, Locket quickly rose to the top o...
Launched initially in 2022, Locket quickly rose to the top of the App Store charts by leveraging Apple’s widget system, allowing close friends’ photos to appear as live updates on the home screen without the need to open the app. This ambient connection model differs markedly from traditional social media platforms that rely on algorithm-driven feeds and public profiles. Instead, Locket offers a more private, ad-free (for subscribers) space with no follower counts or public browsing, aligning with younger users’ desire for authenticity and less pressure online[1][2][3].
The Rollcall feature, introduced after months of testing, us...
The Rollcall feature, introduced after months of testing, uses iOS’s Live Activities functionality to keep photo updates visible on the iPhone Lock Screen, capturing user attention in a glanceable, unobtrusive way[1]. Since its rollout, about 80% of users posting weekly photo dumps have been from Gen Alpha, who make up nearly half of Locket’s U.S. user base. Globally, Locket boasts approximately 9 million daily active users and over 90 million downloads[2][5]. This demographic’s embrace of Locket reflects a broader trend of younger generations seeking alternatives to mainstream platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, which they perceive as crowded with content from creators and influencers rather than close friends[2][7].
Locket’s appeal lies in its simplicity and focus on genuine...
Locket’s appeal lies in its simplicity and focus on genuine connection. The app’s widget-based design creates a subtle yet constant link to friends’ lives without the addictive scrolling and validation-seeking behavior common in other social media apps. For Gen Alpha, who grew up amid hyper-curated content and aggressive advertising, Locket provides a refreshing “anti-Instagram” experience that celebrates unfiltered sharing and intimacy[3][7].
The company behind Locket operates with a lean team of about...
The company behind Locket operates with a lean team of about 14 employees and has reached profitability as of 2024. Its business model combines a free tier supported by advertising with a premium subscription called Locket Gold, which offers perks like unlimited friends, an ad-free experience, and longer video sharing for about $4 per month. This model has proven sustainable, with subscriptions accounting for roughly half of the company’s revenue[3].
Locket is also exploring new growth avenues through features...
Locket is also exploring new growth avenues through features like “Celebrity Lockets,” which enable music artists to share exclusive content directly to fans’ home screen widgets, enhancing user engagement and broadening the app’s appeal beyond private friend groups[4].
In summary, Locket’s rapid rise among Gen Alpha users signif...
In summary, Locket’s rapid rise among Gen Alpha users signifies a shift in social media preferences toward more private, authentic, and ambient forms of digital connection. By harnessing innovative platform features and focusing on intimate friend networks, Locket has carved out a distinctive niche in a crowded social media landscape.
🔄 Updated: 11/3/2025, 11:00:42 PM
Locket’s photo-sharing app is surging in popularity among Gen Alpha, with 80% of weekly photo dump contributors on its new Rollcall feature falling between ages 13 and 17, according to CEO Matt Moss. The app now boasts 9 million global daily active users and over 90 million downloads, as teens praise its private, ad-free environment and “ambient connection” to friends. “It’s just the people you actually know,” one user told Business Insider, highlighting the appeal of Locket’s intimate, real-world focus.
🔄 Updated: 11/3/2025, 11:10:41 PM
Locket's photo-sharing app is rapidly gaining popularity among Gen Alpha, with about 80% of users engaging with its new Rollcall feature identified as Gen Alpha, who now make up 49% of the app’s US user base. Public reaction highlights that for many in this generation, Locket is becoming the primary way to connect intimately with close friends by sharing photos directly, a shift noted by founder Matt Moss who said, "Locket is like their main way of connecting with their friends," emphasizing the app's role in fostering personal connections rather than broad social broadcasting[1][4]. Consumers appreciate the app’s focus on privacy and real friendships, contrasting it with larger platforms perceived as overwhelming or impersonal.
🔄 Updated: 11/3/2025, 11:20:43 PM
Locket’s photo-sharing app has surged in popularity among Gen Alpha users, with 80% of weekly "photo dump" posters on the platform falling within the 13–17 age range, according to CEO Matt Moss. The app now boasts 9 million global daily active users and over 90 million downloads since launch, driving investor interest and reportedly leading to a $12.5 million funding round earlier this year. While Locket remains privately held, market analysts note strong engagement metrics and a profitable freemium model, with subscriptions accounting for 50% of revenue, fueling speculation about a potential IPO in 2026.
🔄 Updated: 11/3/2025, 11:30:52 PM
Locket’s photo-sharing app has surged in global popularity, now boasting 9 million daily active users worldwide and over 90 million downloads since launch, with 49% of its US user base identified as Gen Alpha (ages 13–17). The app’s new Rollcall feature, which prompts weekly photo dumps viewable for seven days, has driven more than 1 million shares in its first week and is rapidly expanding beyond the US, with plans for a global Android rollout later this year. “Gen Alpha is making Locket their primary way of connecting with friends, not just a side app,” CEO Matt Moss told Business Insider, noting that 80% of Rollcall’s weekly posters are from this generation.
🔄 Updated: 11/3/2025, 11:40:51 PM
Locket’s rapid rise has significantly shifted the competitive landscape of photo-sharing apps targeting Gen Alpha, with over 90 million downloads and 9 million daily active users, 80% of whom engage weekly with its new Rollcall feature[1][3][4]. Unlike mainstream platforms like Instagram, Locket’s ad-free, private widget experience and focus on intimate, authentic photo sharing have attracted a loyal user base aged 13-17, causing competitors to reevaluate their strategies[1][4]. CEO Matt Moss emphasized Locket’s differentiation as “the Anti-Instagram,” highlighting its success in creating a social space free from the typical pressures of large public networks[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/3/2025, 11:50:46 PM
Locket’s rapid growth among Gen Alpha users has drawn regulatory attention amid new state laws targeting app stores and developers for children’s privacy. Texas and Utah have enacted app store accountability laws effective in 2026, requiring age verification and verifiable parental consent before minors can download apps like Locket, with fines up to $10,000 per violation[1][3][5]. These regulations aim to protect minors but impose significant compliance burdens on app providers, positioning Locket to navigate increased government scrutiny as its young user base expands.
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 12:00:52 AM
Locket’s photo-sharing app has rapidly gained popularity among Gen Alpha users, with 80% of its new Rollcall feature’s weekly photo dumps coming from this age group, who make up 49% of its U.S. user base. The feature generated over 1 million shares in just its first week, reflecting a strong public embrace of the app’s private, intimate sharing experience that contrasts with broader social platforms. CEO Matt Moss highlighted how Rollcall "takes over your Lock Screen" every Sunday, creating a unique, personal connection that resonates deeply with Gen Alpha users[1][2][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 12:10:50 AM
Locket’s photo-sharing app is surging among Gen Alpha users by leveraging Apple’s Live Activities and widget features, driving over 1 million photo shares in the first week of its Rollcall launch and achieving 90 million downloads since inception. With 80% of weekly Rollcall contributors aged 13–17 and 49% of its US user base now Gen Alpha, the app’s technical integration with iOS lock screens and home widgets creates a frictionless, ambient social experience that’s redefining youth engagement. “We’re turning everyday phone screens into live connection spaces,” CEO Matt Moss told TechCrunch, highlighting how native platform tools are fueling rapid adoption and habitual use.
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 12:20:54 AM
Locket’s latest Rollcall feature—which prompts users to share unpolished “photo dumps” weekly via iOS Live Activities—has been used by over 80% of Gen Alpha (ages 13–17), with more than 1 million photo collections shared in the first week of wide rollout[3][6]. The app now counts over 90 million total downloads and 9 million daily active users, with nearly half of its U.S. user base under 18, signaling a seismic shift toward private, low-pressure social sharing among the youngest digital natives[1][6]. As one teen user put it, “It’s like having a real-time scrapbook with my closest friends—no ads, no strangers, just
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 12:30:52 AM
Locket’s photo-sharing app has rapidly gained popularity among Gen Alpha, with 80% of weekly photo dump posts coming from users aged 13-17, who form nearly half of its US user base. Public reaction highlights a strong preference for Locket’s intimate, ad-free experience and its innovative Rollcall feature that shares authentic photo collections directly on iPhone Lock Screens, generating over 1 million shares in its first week alone. CEO Matt Moss attributes this success to meeting Gen Alpha’s desire for close, low-pressure connections amid the saturation of traditional social media[1][3][6].
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 12:40:52 AM
Locket’s photo-sharing app has surged in popularity among Gen Alpha users, with 80% of its weekly photo dump activity now coming from teens aged 13–17, according to CEO Matt Moss. The app’s innovative use of iOS Live Activities and home screen widgets has disrupted the competitive landscape, outpacing rivals like BeReal and Instagram among younger audiences—evidenced by over 91 million installs and 1 million Rollcall shares in its first week. “We’re not competing for attention in the feed—we’re on their lock screens, where the real connection happens,” Moss told TechCrunch.
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 12:50:53 AM
Locket’s photo-sharing app is rapidly becoming the digital hangout of choice for Gen Alpha, with CEO Matt Moss revealing that 80% of users posting weekly “photo dumps” via the new Rollcall feature are aged 13–17, and this group now accounts for nearly half of Locket’s U.S. user base[6][9]. Industry analysts highlight that Locket’s success stems from leveraging Apple’s Live Activities to deliver casual, authentic updates directly to the iPhone Lock Screen—a move that drove over 1 million Rollcall shares in its debut week and has over 25% of active users posting weekly[3][4]. “Instead of public feeds or algorithmic validation, Gen Alpha craves closeness—
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 1:01:00 AM
Locket’s photo-sharing app is rapidly reshaping the competitive social media landscape, capturing over 80% of its weekly Rollcall feature users from Gen Alpha—those aged 13 to 17—according to CEO Matt Moss. With more than 91 million installs and 1 million Rollcall shares in its first week, Locket is outpacing rivals by turning iPhone lock screens into intimate, real-time friendship feeds, a move that has made it Gen Alpha’s preferred alternative to public platforms like Instagram.
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 1:11:00 AM
Locket’s photo-sharing app has surged in popularity among Gen Alpha, with its Rollcall feature generating over 1 million shares in its first week and 80% of Rollcall users identifying as Gen Alpha, who use it as their primary social connection tool[1][4][6]. The app boasts about 9 million daily active users globally, with Gen Alpha making up nearly half of its U.S. user base, attracted by Locket's intimate, ad-free environment and the unique use of iOS Live Activities on iPhone Lock Screens[2][3][6]. CEO Matt Moss emphasized that Rollcall "takes over your Lock Screen" every Sunday, creating a personal, ambient connection that resonates deeply with this generation[1][6].
🔄 Updated: 11/4/2025, 1:20:55 AM
Locket’s rapid rise, marked by over 91 million installs and 1 million photo shares within a week of launching its Rollcall feature, is reshaping the competitive social app landscape by focusing on intimate, ad-free, and authentic micro-social interactions favored by Gen Alpha users[2][3]. Unlike mainstream platforms burdened by algorithmic feeds and ads, Locket’s widget-based model, developed by a lean 14-person team, captures Gen Alpha’s demand for privacy and real connections—80% of weekly Rollcall users are aged 13-17—forcing competitors to reconsider their engagement strategies[1][3]. CEO Matt Moss highlights that leveraging iOS Live Activities to turn Lock Screens into social touchpoints differentiates Locket and has quickly