Another week, another popular AI app. This time, EPIK, a picture editing software that allows users to create nostalgic, 90s-inspired “yearbook” photos of themselves as one of its numerous templates, is the AI app that has rocketed to the top of the software Store. EPIK operates similarly to other recently well-liked AI apps in that users upload a series of selfies, which EPIK then utilizes to create flashback yearbook images of the user in various stances, with multiple outfits and different hairstyles.
The app was developed by Snow Corporation, a Naver affiliate with headquarters in South Korea and creators of the AI profile app Snow. Influencers worldwide started sharing their AI app (AI)-generated photographs on social media in recent weeks, which helped EPIK gain traction on the App Store.
EPIK is currently the most popular app on the American App Store, but it could be better liked there, ranking No. 37.
Data from market research firm Apptopia shows that since its launch in August 2021, EPIK has received 92.3 million lifetime installs, including 4.7 million downloads in the United States. But according to the company, the app began to take off on September 19 and then took off even more 10 days later.
By downloads, India is EPIK’s largest market, and the United States is ranked sixth. Another company, data.ai, reports that the app has produced about $7 million in customer spending on iOS and that its lifetime downloads are slightly lower at 82 million. Data.ai adds that this is the first time it has been listed among the Top Overall apps in the United States.
When contacted for comment to confirm these numbers, Snow Corp. has yet to respond. A quick scroll through the #epik hashtag on Instagram reveals that several more prominent accounts have been posting their AI yearbook photos. These include fashion models Eva Mikulski (481K followers), Bretman Rock (18.8M followers), Tim Chantarangsu (1.5M followers), Samantha Batallanos (254K followers), Missou (507K followers), Romy (1.5M followers), Liz Rangel (1.5M follower), and Hi.
Users contribute 8–12 selfie shots to EPIK’s Yearbook feature, which is utilized to generate the AI photos. Users are cautioned by the app that not all AI outcomes will be “satisfactory” because EPIK’s AI is constantly learning to enhance its output. The notification reads, “You will be deemed to have agreed to the outcome” if you proceed.
Additionally, the app advises users to upload crystal-clear images with various facial expressions, angles, and backgrounds. The program produces 60 alternative images after processing the photos. Although the software can be downloaded for free, users must pay for the AI results. Additionally, they can pay to create the images more rapidly; express delivery ($5.99) gives photos in less than two hours, while expected delivery ($3.99) has up to 24-hour wait times.
Unfortunately for EPIK, the software has grown so well-liked that there needs to be more supply to meet demand. The Yearbook function may be delayed if you try to use it right away because of “a rapid increase in users using the service,” according to the app. We are sorry for the trouble. Please try once more later. Even if you successfully upload a selfie, the app may tell you that the delivery options are “sold out” and that you should try again later.
The AI photo app EPIK is not the first to become popular due to a creative feature that attracts excessive attention. It comes after earlier viral successes like Remini, which topped the App Store last summer for its expert-looking AI headshots, and Lensa, which provided AI-generated “magic avatars.” However, many AI photo applications lose popularity after 15 minutes of fame. According to research from Apptopia published earlier this year, consumers had already lost interest in the first wave of AI picture editors that started to gain popularity last winter. That implies EPIK’s recent high status is another fad as people move on to the subsequent AI craze.
