Prime Highlight
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT became the most downloaded free iPhone app in the U.S. in 2025, overtaking social media and utility platforms.
- The app’s rise reflects growing user reliance on AI tools for information, productivity, and search, signaling a potential shift away from traditional search apps.
Key Facts
- ChatGPT moved up from No. 4 in 2024 and had not appeared in the top ten in 2023, after its iPhone release in May of that year.
- Block Blast! was the most downloaded free iPhone game, Minecraft was the top paid game, while on iPad, YouTube was the top free app, and Procreate was the top paid app.
Background
Apple released its annual list of the most downloaded apps and games on Wednesday, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT taking the top spot as the most downloaded free iPhone app in the U.S. in 2025. The AI-powered app led a field normally dominated by social media and utility platforms, highlighting how strongly artificial intelligence has entered everyday use.
ChatGPT was followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail and Google’s Gemini. The jump to No. 1 marks a major rise for the app, which ranked No. 4 last year and did not appear in the top ten in 2023 after its release on the iPhone in May of that year.
The surge in downloads shows how more users are turning to AI tools for information, productivity and search. Industry analysts say the trend also signals a shift that could challenge Google’s long-standing hold on mobile search if users continue relying on chatbots instead of traditional search apps.
Earlier this year, ChatGPT had already shown signs of climbing to the top. In March 2025, it became the most downloaded app worldwide, surpassing major platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Apple also shared its rankings for games and paid apps. Block Blast! was the most downloaded free iPhone game this year, while Minecraft remained the top paid game. On the iPad, YouTube was the top free app, and Procreate, a popular creativity tool, was ranked the most downloaded paid app. Roblox led the list of free iPad games.
The latest rankings show how entertainment, creativity tools and AI-powered apps continue to shape user behaviour across Apple devices, with ChatGPT emerging as the year’s biggest breakout.
