Acquisitions and divestments
AppLovin also has also invested in software development companies, and various mobile game publishers.[21] In October 2014, it purchased the German mobile ad-network Moboqo.[22]
On September 26, 2016, it was reported that AppLovin had agreed to be acquired by the Chinese private equity firm, Orient Hontai Capital, for $1.42 billion; the acquisition deal was subsequently abandoned for debt investment after opposition to the plans from CFIUS.[23][24][25]
In September 2018, AppLovin acquired the in-app bidding SSP MAX.[26]
In 2019, the company acquired SafeDK, a software development kit management platform for ad quality, performance, and stability in mobile apps.[27] That year, it also invested in several mobile game studios including PeopleFun, Firecraft Studios and Belka Games.[28]
In February 2020, AppLovin invested in the mobile game studios Geewa, and Redemption Games, and acquired Machine Zone (MZ).[29]
In February 2021, AppLovin announced the acquisition of mobile app measurement company Adjust.[30] On October 6, 2021, AppLovin announced the acquisition of mobile monetization company MoPub from Twitter for $1.1 billion.[31] The sale was finalized on January 3, 2022.[32]
On August 9, 2022, AppLovin made an offer to buy Unity Technologies in exchange for $17.54 billion of stock. The merger proposal would result in Unity CEO John Riccitiello becoming the CEO of the combined entity.[33] AppLovin's bid would require Unity to terminate its recent deal to merge with ironSource.[34] Later that month, Unity's board rejected the offer and committed to complete its acquisition of ironSource.[35]
In April 2025, the company bid to acquire the United States subsidiary of TikTok after the US government required TikTok to divest from Chinese company ByteDance or be banned.[36][37]
Announced in February 2025, Applovin agreed to vest its mobile games development business to a private company for $900 million, including $500 million in cash, and focus on its advertising business.[38] The sale, which includes Lions Studios,[39] to London-based Tripledot Studios was adjusted in May 2025, to $400 million in cash and a 20% stake in Tripledot,[40] completed on June 30, 2025, for a total value of $800 million.[39][41]
