ChatGPT Becomes Apple’s Most Downloaded App of 2025

ChatGPT Takes the No. 1 Spot in Apple’s Top Free iPhone Apps of 2025

Posted: 7:17 AM PST · December 10, 2025
By Anish.

Apple has released its annual Top Apps and Games of 2025, and for the first time ever, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become the No. 1 most downloaded free iPhone app in the United States.

This marks a major milestone for AI adoption on mobile, with ChatGPT overtaking giants like Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, and even Apple’s long-time default tools like Google Maps and Gmail.

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ChatGPT’s Rise to the Top

The progression has been rapid:

• 2023: Not in the top 10 (despite launching in May).
• 2024: Ranked #4, behind Temu.
• 2025: #1 most downloaded iPhone app in the U.S.

This dramatic surge shows how deeply AI-driven assistance has embedded itself in everyday tasks—from search and messaging to productivity, homework, planning, and coding.

ChatGPT even became the most downloaded app globally in March 2025, beating TikTok and Instagram for the first time.

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Top Free iPhone Apps of 2025 (US)

1. ChatGPT
2. Threads
3. Google
4. TikTok
5. WhatsApp Messenger
6. Instagram
7. YouTube
8. Google Maps
9. Gmail
10. Google Gemini

ChatGPT’s placement above Google and Gemini signals a major shift in mobile search habits. More users are now turning to chat-based answers before traditional search engines, posing a long-term competitive challenge to Google.

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Why ChatGPT Topped the Charts

1. Mainstream AI Adoption

AI has become part of daily smartphone workflows—summaries, email writing, travel planning, tutoring, and coding.

2. ChatGPT Go & Free Upgrades

In 2025, OpenAI rolled out:

• ChatGPT Go: A low-cost plan
• Free GPT-4o tier upgrades
• Better multimodal features
  These boosted user retention massively.

3. Integration With iOS Apps

Developers widely integrated ChatGPT into:

• Productivity apps
• Note-taking apps
• Design tools
• Browsers
• Messaging apps

4. The Shift in Search Behavior

Users increasingly skip Google Search and instead:

• Ask ChatGPT directly
• Use conversational search
• Use voice-based queries
  This trend is especially strong among Gen Z and professionals.

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Top Paid iPhone Apps of 2025

1. HotSchedules
2. Shadowrocket
3. Procreate Pocket
4. AnkiMobile Flashcards
5. Paprika Recipe Manager 3
6. SkyView
7. TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome
8. AutoSleep
9. Forest: Focus for Productivity
10. RadarScope

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Top Games of 2025

Top Free iPhone Games

• Block Blast!
• Fortnite
• Roblox
• Township
• Pokémon TCG Pocket

Top Paid iPhone Games

• Minecraft: Dream It, Build It!
• Balatro
• Heads Up!
• Plague Inc.
• Geometry Dash

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Top iPad Apps of 2025

Free

1. YouTube
2. ChatGPT
3. Netflix
4. Disney+
5. Amazon Prime Video

Paid

1. Procreate
2. Procreate Dreams
3. forScore

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What This Means for OpenAI (and Apple)

ChatGPT hitting #1 signals:

• AI is officially mainstream.
• Chat interfaces are replacing traditional web navigation.
• Mobile search disruption is accelerating.
• OpenAI is becoming a major competitor to Google—not just on the web but also on iOS, where Google historically dominated search-driven use cases.

With Apple reportedly working on more AI integrations for iOS, 2026 may push AI front and center across all Apple devices.

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FAQs

1. Why is ChatGPT the most downloaded app in the US in 2025?

Because AI became essential for communication, search, planning, and productivity—and ChatGPT leads the category.

2. Did ChatGPT appear in Apple’s top apps before?

Yes, it ranked #4 in 2024, but this is its first year at #1.

3. Which apps did ChatGPT beat in 2025?

Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google Maps.

4. What made ChatGPT so popular on iPhone?

Advanced AI features, low-cost plans, better multimodal capabilities, and deep app integrations.

5. Is ChatGPT also a top app on iPad?

Yes — it ranked #2 among top free iPad apps in 2025.