The App Growth Strategy Behind LightX’s 50M+ Installs

In this episode, we’re joined by Sharad Shankar, Founder of AndOr Communications Pvt Ltd, the team behind the viral AI photo editing app LightX, which has surpassed 50M installs on Android and 8M+ on iOS.

Originally launched as a paid app, LightX transitioned to a subscription model in 2019 and has since evolved into a powerful, AI-driven platform for image generation and editing.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Sharad’s career spans roles in mobile engineering and building high-impact, user-focused products. In this conversation, Sharad shares his full growth playbook — from ASO, paid ads, and SEO to Web2App conversion strategies and cracking the Google Play featured placement.

He also reveals how he led a team of 60+ to turn LightX into a breakout success. This episode is a must-watch for anyone building or scaling a mobile app in 2025 and beyond.

You will discover:

✅ How LightX went from a paid app to top-grossing AI subscription

✅ Mobile growth playbook: ASO, ads, SEO, Web2App & more

✅ The secret to getting featured on Google Play

✅ Building user-first products with a strong USP

✅ Managing & scaling a 60+ member team

Learn More:

Explore LightX:

Web Product: https://www.lightxeditor.com/

iOS App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lightx-photo-editor-retouch/id1400740705

Android App Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lightx&hl=en_IN

Connect with Sharad:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharad-shankar-796b773/

https://andor.in/

Work with us: https://www.appmasters.com

Indie App Santa: https://www.indieappsanta.com

Get training, coaching, and community: ⁠https://appmastersacademy.com/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Arcads is the fastest and best indie-friendly platform to create authentic, AI-powered UGC-style video ads — all from just text input.

- Emotionally resonant, human-like videos

- Perfect for app demos, testimonials, and paid social creatives

- Built for speed, built to convert

Whether you're launching or scaling, Arcads makes it easy to test and iterate video ads.

Try it now: https://www.arcads.ai/?comet_custom=appmasters

*********************************************

Everyone's talking about web2app funnels - the breakthrough strategy maximizing mobile revenue. But building them in-house takes months of development.

web2wave eliminates the complexity with their innovative all-in-one platform

✅ AI funnel generator

✅ powerful drag-and-drop quiz builder✅ streamlined payments

✅ comprehensive analytics

✅ smart A/B testing

✅ and more

Launch high-performing web2app funnels in days, not months.

Visit https://web2wave.com/ to create your web2app funnel for free.

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

*********************************************