YouVersion Bible app reaches 250 million downloads

The popular YouVersion Bible app has been downloaded 250 million times by users from all over the world since it became available eight years ago.

The app, which was one of the first 200 apps that became available in the iPhone app store, reached the 250 million download mark last Monday, The Christian Post reported.

"When we decided to make the Bible available as an app, we never could have imagined how much it would revolutionize the way people engage with Scripture," said Bobby Gruenewald, Life.Church Innovation pastor and YouVersion Bible App founder.

YouVersion was originally launched as a website in 2007 as part of Life.Church's efforts to utilize technology to increase access and engagement with the Bible. The app now supports more than 1,000 languages and features almost 1,500 Bible versions, according to PR Newswire.

The app was downloaded over 100 million times within five years, and it reached the 200 million download milestone last December.

"God has done far more through the Bible App than we could have asked or imagined, especially in bringing forth a diverse group of people and organizations to rally around a common mission," said Gruenewald.

Gruenewald revealed that there have been recent developments with the app. He told The Christian Post that YouVersion now has an iMessage extension and Bible keyboard that would allow users to "search for and share Bible verses and verse images from a wide array of apps."

He added that there is also a feature that allows the user to compare different Bible versions of the same verse at a glance.

The app also saw an increase in the engagement with the Bible. YouVersion users all over the world have read and listened to 13 billion Bible chapters this year. Additionally, users have created more than one billion highlights, bookmarks, and notes.

Bible verse sharing reached 230 million shares in 2016, with the most popular verse being Romans 8:28 which reads: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."