Clubhouse unleashed its long-awaited Android app as downloads are cratering, but it's still invite-only

• Clubhouse is headed to Android phones.
• The app release comes after iPhone downloads spiraled down in April.
• Android users can download the app starting Sunday, but they still need an invite to access it.

Clubhouse, an audio-only chat app, has released its long-awaited app for Android users as part of a beta test.

Starting Sunday, Android users can download the app and install it on their phones, but they still won't be able to use the app without an invite from an existing user. That's meant to keep the app's servers running if downloads surge.

The rollout comes after iPhone app downloads tumbled to about 922,000 downloads worldwide in April, down from 2.7 million installs in March and 9.6 million in February, according to app analytics company Sensor Tower.

Clubhouse lets users listen into conversations as they're happening live as a twist on podcasts. Its debut a little more than a year ago, at a time when people were desperate for human connection during coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, helped the app take off in popularity.

But as more people are vaccinated for COVID-19 and society reopens, it's unclear if Clubhouse will hold on its momentum.

The app's arrival on Android phones could reverse the slowdown.

Still, the $4 billion startup behind the app is taking a measured approach.

"As a part of the effort to keep the growth measured, we will be continuing the waitlist and invite system, ensuring that each new community member can bring along a few close friends," the company said in a press release.

"As we head into the summer and continue to scale out the backend, we plan to begin opening up even further, welcoming millions more people in from the iOS waitlist, expanding language support, and adding more accessibility features, so that people worldwide can experience Clubhouse in a way that feels native to them," Clubhouse said.

The app for Android is currently only available in the US. The company said it will gather feedback and fix any issues in the weeks ahead, as it slowly expands to other English-speaking countries and then worldwide.

Paige Leskin and Katie Canales contributed to this report.

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