Lapse (2023 relaunch)
App & software · 2023 · Niche
An invitation-driven photo journal reached No. 1 in the US App Store.
Sheel Mohnot
@pitdesi · Sep 23, 2023
The #1 App right now is “Lapse” - a photo sharing Dispo-meets-Snapchat. You will get a text message from a friend to download the app. It’s bc they require you text 5 friends to use the app. I felt dirty. It got to the top of the App Store on a pyramid scheme.
GREG ISENBERG
@gregisenberg · Sep 24, 2023
The counterpoint to my example: What about the #1 photo app right now Lapse, the shared disposable camera. They have this annoying invite 5 friends in order to get access. That isn't really adding value. Pretty annoying to spam my friends. Well, true but it's about adding
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How it worksNumbers
- Peak date
- Oct 2023
- Jun 2023 to Oct 2023
- Platforms
- 4
- Started on App stores
- Origin
- Mixed
- Technology
How it spread
Trace the originLapse publicly relaunched as a photo journal in June. Paid TikTok trials and compulsory invitations preceded its US App Store No. 1 rank. Estimated downloads peaked in October, then fell; a funding round followed before the app returned to a camera in 2025.
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Changelogupdated Oct 12 ’26
- Added: 16 events, 21 sources · Score 26
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