ChatGPT beats TikTok and Gemini to become Apple’s most downloaded free iPhone app in 2025
The rankings show a clear shift in user habits with AI tools overtaking social networks in mobile downloads.
It’s official. ChatGPT is the app Americans couldn't get enough of in 2025. Apple’s annual list of the year’s most downloaded apps and games shows that OpenAI’s chatbot took the number one spot for free iPhone apps in the United States, outperforming major social platforms and everyday utilities.
The rest of the top ten reads like a snapshot of the current mobile space. Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail and Google’s Gemini rounded out the list. ChatGPT’s jump from number four last year to number one this year reflects how quickly AI has moved from a novelty to a default part of daily digital life. In 2024, Chinese shopping app, Temu held the top spot. In 2025, an AI assistant did.
There's also a deeper shift happening. People are beginning to open chatbots first and search engines second. Instead of typing questions into Google, many users are starting with AI tools that give direct answers with less friction. That habit shift has implications for Google’s longstanding dominance in mobile search and for how information is discovered on phones. The trend isn't limited to the United States. ChatGPT became the most downloaded app globally in March 2025, surpassing TikTok and Instagram.
Apple also revealed the most downloaded games of the year. Block Blast took the top spot for free iPhone games, while Minecraft remained the leading paid title. On iPad, YouTube was the most downloaded free app, Procreate led paid apps and Roblox topped the free games chart. The lists show a mix of creativity, entertainment and utility that mirrors how people use Apple devices across age groups.
The takeaway
ChatGPT’s rise signals a shift in how people find information. Millions of Americans now rely on AI as a first step for quick answers, work help and everyday problem solving. For OpenAI, this reflects more than popularity. It marks a growing foothold in mobile search at a moment when users are redefining what “searching” even means. As AI becomes more central to the phone experience, 2025 will likely be remembered as the year American users moved from curiosity to everyday reliance.
Emmanuel Umahi
