Recently, another AI application has gone viral. This time, it's EPIK, an AI photo editing app that has soared to the top of the App Store charts. EPIK allows users to create nostalgic, 90s-style "yearbook" photos of themselves as one of its many templates.
Similar to other popular AI apps, EPIK works by having users upload a series of selfies, which the app then uses to generate retro yearbook photos featuring the users in various poses, looks, and hairstyles.
The app comes from South Korean Snow Corporation, a subsidiary of Naver, which also produces the AI profile app Snow. In recent weeks, EPIK has gained attention on the App Store as influencers from around the world have started sharing AI-generated photos on social media.
On the U.S. App Store, EPIK is currently ranked number one, though its popularity on Google Play is lower, at number 37.
According to market intelligence firm Apptopia, since its debut in August 2021, EPIK has amassed a total of 92.3 million lifetime installs, with 4.7 million downloads in the U.S. The app began gaining attention on September 19 and suddenly went viral 10 days later.
According to market intelligence firm Apptopia, since its debut in August 2021, EPIK has amassed a total of 92.3 million lifetime installs, with 4.7 million downloads in the U.S. The app began gaining attention on September 19 and suddenly went viral 10 days later.
Another company, data.ai, estimates a slight decline in lifetime downloads to 82 million and notes that the app has generated nearly $7 million in consumer spending on iOS. Data.ai also points out that this is EPIK's first appearance in the top charts of comprehensive apps in the U.S.
Snow Corporation did not respond to requests for comment to verify these figures.
Scrolling through Instagram's #epik tag reveals that many prominent accounts have joined the trend of posting AI yearbook photos. These include beauty influencers Samantha Batallanos (254,000 followers) and Bretman Rock (18.8 million followers), actor and rapper Tim Chantarangsu (1.5 million followers), fashion model Eva Mikulski (481,000 followers), Denyzee (526,000 followers), Missou (507,000 followers), Romy (1.5 million followers), Liz Rangel (150,000 followers), and Hila Klein (100,000 followers), as well as Twitch streamer Pokimane (6 million followers) and many others, including influencers from both the app's home country and around the world.
To use EPIK’s yearbook feature, users need to upload 8-12 selfie images, which are then used to create AI-generated photos. The app notes that results may vary as the AI is still improving, and users must agree to accept the results. Users are advised to provide clear photos with various expressions, angles, and backgrounds for t