# Subway Surfers

> A runner passed a billion Google Play downloads, then became split-screen TikTok footage.

- Owner: Kiloo and SYBO (co-developers); SYBO (current publisher, owned by Miniclip)
- Kind: Game
- Sector: Gaming
- Seed date: 2012-05-24
- Observed peak date: Week of Aug 4, 2020
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum. Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
- Spread Score: 51 (Notable), v1.3
- Mechanics: Challenge, Platform jump, Pairing, Press loop, Controversy

## Summary

Kiloo and SYBO launched Subway Surfers in 2012 with a paid promotional feature. SYBO announced a billion Google Play downloads in 2018. Gameplay later spread through TikTok collages, which SYBO copied.

## Timeline

- 2012-05-24 — Kiloo Games / SYBO (App stores) — Kiloo and SYBO released the iOS game with a paid Free App a Day marketing feature.
- 2012-06-01 — Pocket Gamer (Press) — Pocket Gamer reviewed the free runner, comparing its gameplay with Temple Run and Jetpack Joyride.
- 2018-03-15 — SYBO Games / Kiloo (App stores) — SYBO announced Subway Surfers as the first game to pass one billion Google Play downloads.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/subway-surfers

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Subway Surfers.” Case HIS-01651. Spread Score v1.3: 51/100. Updated 2026-10-24. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01651