In an era where mobile games often come loaded with complex mechanics, monetization strategies, and cinematic polish, an app that simply makes a cat's mouth go "pop" seems too ridiculous to succeed. And yet, the popcat meme game did exactly that—rising to viral fame within just 72 hours of release. Even more surprising? Apple nearly blocked it from the App Store.
Built in SwiftUI by indie developer James Lau, the app is a minimalist game inspired by a viral internet cat named Popcat. The premise is delightfully absurd: users tap anywhere on the screen to animate the cat’s mouth, triggering a satisfying popping sound. That’s it—no scores, no levels, no goal. Just a cat, a pop, and an endless feedback loop.
But behind this simplicity is a tale of clever positioning, viral momentum, and a gentle rebellion against App Store norms.
A Meme Becomes a Movement
Popcat’s journey began not in the App Store, but in meme culture. The original "popcat app" image—featuring a white cat named Oatmeal whose mouth opens and closes dramatically—was remixed online with sound effects and absurd humor. Popcat became a staple emoji on Discord, appeared in reaction videos, and even spawned an online clicking competition between countries on the website popcat.click.
Recognizing the enduring charm of the meme, Lau decided to turn it into an iOS app. He built it quickly using SwiftUI, focusing on smooth animation and sound design. But what seemed like an obvious win for meme lovers ran into trouble with Apple.
Apple Says No
When Lau submitted the app to Apple, it was initially rejected. The reason? The app was deemed too “trivial” and didn’t offer enough user value. Apple’s App Review team is notoriously strict about apps that appear low-effort or duplicative. A single animation with a sound effect didn’t make the cut.
But Lau wasn’t ready to give up.
Reframing the Experience
Instead of scrapping the app, Lau made a few smart adjustments. First, he changed the app’s category to Games rather than Utilities. This shift lowered the bar for what Apple considers valuable, since games are often allowed more creative leeway.
Next, he polished the app’s sound feedback. Rather than using a static pop, he introduced subtle pitch variations with every tap. He also added gentle haptic feedback to enhance the sensory satisfaction. What was once a static meme became an engaging micro-experience.
Crucially, Lau reframed the app’s purpose in his App Review notes. He described Popcat not as a utility, but as a “micro-interaction game” designed to deliver a moment of joy. With this new context—and improved polish—Apple finally gave the green light.
The Viral Explosion
Once live, the Popcat Meme App wasted no time capturing attention. TikTok creators began sharing videos of themselves compulsively tapping the screen. The app’s inherent absurdity made it a perfect fit for meme culture: shareable, funny, and immediately accessible.
Within 72 hours, it soared to the top of the App Store’s free games chart in multiple countries. Users began to joke about being “addicted to tapping a cat,” while others posted tap-count challenges or tried to sync the pops to music. The app didn’t just go viral—it became a moment.
Why It Worked
At a glance, Popcat’s success feels like a fluke. But it’s better understood as a case study in intentional minimalism. In a landscape dominated by bloat, the Popcat Meme App offered a pure, frictionless experience. There were no tutorials, no ads, no monetization—just the joy of a pop.
Its success can be attributed to several factors:
Instant gratification through sound and animation.
Pre-existing meme recognition, which made it viral-ready.
Strategic app store positioning, allowing it to meet Apple’s guidelines.
Thoughtful polish, especially in feedback and responsiveness.
Together, these small decisions made the app feel more like a polished game than a joke, even though its spirit was rooted in humor.
The Future of Popcat
Lau has teased minor updates, such as a global pop counter or new cat modes, but he’s careful not to dilute the core experience. The charm of Popcat lies in its simplicity. Overbuilding it would risk losing what made it work.
Even now, long after its initial viral spike, the app continues to draw downloads and spark joy—especially among users who want something silly, tactile, and low-effort in the best way.
A Lesson for Indie Developers
The Popcat Meme App proves that you don’t need a complex gameplay loop or heavy content to succeed. What you do need is:
A strong emotional or cultural hook.
Flawless execution of a simple idea.
Smart navigation of App Store rules.
Sometimes, a tap and a pop is all it takes to make people smile.
