OpenAI’s Sora app has recently achieved a significant milestone by securing the number one spot on the Google Play Store’s top free app rankings, as reported by CNET. This achievement is notable because Sora’s rise displaced its own sister app, ChatGPT, which now occupies the second position. The rapid ascent of Sora reflects the growing interest and engagement with AI-powered social media applications, marking another win for OpenAI in the competitive AI app landscape.
The Android-compatible version of Sora was launched just last week, and its popularity has surged dramatically. According to data from Appfigures, the app was downloaded 470,000 times on its very first day of availability on Android devices. This figure is particularly striking when compared to Sora’s initial launch on iOS last September, which saw about a quarter of that number of downloads on its first day. TechCrunch initially reported these statistics, highlighting the strong demand for Sora on Android. While the iOS launch also performed well—garnering over a million downloads in less than five days—it was limited to North America and required users to have an invite code. In contrast, the recent Android launch removed the invite code requirement and opened access to a broader international audience, which likely contributed to the surge in downloads. Even with these factors considered, the volume of downloads remains impressive for an app that has quickly become one of the most discussed and controversial AI tools to date.
Sora’s Android release is just one part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to expand and improve the app’s capabilities. Bill Peebles, OpenAI’s head of Sora, recently shared insights into future developments for the AI video app. Upcoming updates promise to introduce new creation tools, enhanced social features, and continued support for Android users. OpenAI is also collaborating with unions such as SAG-AFTRA, as well as various celebrities and public figures, to better manage the creation of potentially inappropriate or illegal content, including deepfake videos. This partnership aims to ensure responsible use of the technology and address ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated media.
Users can now download Sora from the Google Play Store and begin exploring the app’s features immediately. For those interested in understanding how to identify AI-generated videos, CNET offers a comprehensive guide to help users navigate this evolving digital landscape.
One of the standout features recently added to Sora is the ability to create character cameos, which allow users to insert likenesses of people into AI-generated videos. This feature is now expanding beyond human figures to include pets like dogs and guinea pigs, favorite stuffed animals, and even generated characters from previous Sora videos. Notably, the app has introduced several Halloween-themed characters, adding a seasonal touch to its creative options. This expansion demonstrates OpenAI’s intent to make the app more versatile and engaging for users.
The app’s interface will soon highlight trending cameos in real time, a feature reminiscent of popular social media platforms like Instagram’s “For You” or “Explore” pages. This addition is designed to surface popular content and inspire users by showcasing what’s currently trending within the Sora community.
Beyond content creation, OpenAI is also introducing basic video editing tools within the app. Currently, users will be able to stitch multiple clips together, with plans to roll out more advanced editing capabilities in the future. Peebles hinted that these tools will evolve into a comprehensive creative suite, aiming to transform Sora from a platform primarily for short, spontaneous video generations into a tool that professional creators can utilize for more polished productions.
On the social interaction front, OpenAI is exploring new ways to foster community engagement within Sora. Instead of relying solely on a global feed, the app may soon support localized channels tailored to specific groups such as universities, workplaces, hobbies, or sports teams. This approach aims to create a more organized and personalized social experience, contrasting with the currently somewhat chaotic public stream of AI-generated videos.
These initiatives build on the first major update Sora received earlier this month, which extended the maximum video length and introduced a storyboarding feature. Free users can now create videos up to 15 seconds long on the iPhone app and the web (the latter being the only current option for Android users). Pro users receive an extra 10 seconds on the web version, allowing for videos up to 35 seconds in length. This update closely followed Google’s enhancement of its AI video model, Veo 3, which now supports longer video generations, indicating a broader industry