ChatGPT is the most downloaded Apple app of 2025 in the US

On Wednesday, Apple released its annual list of the most downloaded apps and games this year. In the US market, OpenAI’s ChatGPT service topped the rankings of free iPhone apps (excluding games) with the most installs in 2025.

AI apps were followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail and Google Gemini.

Last year, ChatGPT was ranked 4th, but the top spot was taken by Chinese shopping app Temu. In 2023, the AI ​​app did not make the top 10 list, even though it was released for iPhone in May 2023 and had a mighty debut.

The fact that ChatGPT is ahead of social networks and much-needed tools like Google Maps indicates how deeply AI has penetrated the everyday lives of people in the US. It also shows OpenAI’s potential to disrupt Google’s tight grip on the mobile search market as more people turn to a chatbot first for answers.

There were signs that ChatGPT was in the top spot earlier this year – in March it became the most downloaded app in the world, overtaking other top apps like TikTok and Instagram.

Apple also released a list of the most popular paid apps, the best free and paid games for iPhone and iPad, and the best Apple Arcade games.

Block the explosion! was this year’s most popular free game, and Minecraft took the title of best paid game. On the iPad, YouTube was the most popular free app, and users downloaded the original app Procreate, which became the highest paid iPad game. Roblox was the most popular free iPad game.

The full list of the most popular apps and games is below:

The best free apps for iPhone

1. ChatGPT
2. Threads
3. Google
4. TikTok – videos, shopping and LIVE
5. WhatsApp messenger
6. Instagram
7. YouTube
8. Google Maps
9. Gmail – Email from Google
10. Google Gemini

Most popular paid apps for iPhone

1. Scorching schedules
2. Shadowrocket
3. Procreate the pocket
4. AnkiMobile flashcards
5. Pepper Recipe Manager 3
6. SkyView®
7. TonalEnergy tuner and metronome
8. AutoSleep Track your sleep on your watch
9. Forest: focus on productivity
10. RadarScop

The best free games for iPhone

1. Block the explosion!
2. Fortnite
3. Roblox
4. Parish
5. Pocket Pokémon TCG
6. Royal Kingdom
7. Royal clash
8. White Mahjong
9. The survival of whiteness
10. The Last War: Survival

The most popular paid games for iPhone

1. Minecraft: Dream it, build it!
2. Balatro
3. Keep your head up!
4. Plague Inc.
5. Geometry line
6. Bloony TD 6
7. Stardew Valley
8. Dad’s freezer to go!
9. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C
10. Red’s first flight

The best free apps for iPad

1. YouTube
2. ChatGPT
3. Netflix
4. Disney+
5. Amazon Prime Video
6. TikTok – videos, shopping and LIVE
7. GoogleChrome
8. Goodnotes: AI notes, documents, PDF files
9. Canva: AI photo and video editor
10. HBO Max: Streaming movies and TV

Most popular paid apps for iPad

1. Procreate
2. Procreate dreams
3. for Result
4. ToonSquid
5. Nomad sculpture
6. Shadowrocket
7. AnkiMobile flashcards
8. Bluebeam Revu for iPad
9. Teach your monster to read
10. Pen: Draw in 3D

The best free iPad games

1. Roblox
2. Block the explosion!
3. Fortnite
4. Perfect order
5. Magic Tiles 3: Playing the Piano
6. Mini-games: Peace and relaxation
7. Goods Puzzle: Sorting Challenge
8. hole.io
9. Subway surfers
10. Parish

The most popular paid games for iPad

1. Minecraft: Dream it, build it!
2. Geometry line
3. Stardew Valley
4. Balatro
5. Bloony TD 6
6. Plague Inc.
7. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C
8. Poppy Playtime Chapter 3
9. Purple Place – Classic Games
10. Sushiria Papa to go!

The best Apple Arcade games

1. Retro Bowl NFL ’26
2. NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition
3. Balatro+
4. Snake.io+
5. Sneaky Sasquatch
6. Hello Kitty Island Adventure
7. Fruity Ninja Classic+
8. Bloony TD 6+
9. Golf PGA TOUR Pro
10. Solitaire from MobilityWare+