What Was Apple’s Most Downloaded App in the US in 2025?

Apple published its annual list of the most downloaded apps and games of the year. In the U.S., OpenAI’s ChatGPT ranked number one among the most-downloaded free iPhone apps (excluding games) in 2025. The AI app was followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and Google’s Gemini.

In 2024 Chatgpt was on number four, but outdone by the Chinese shopping app Temu for the top spot. The AI app failed to make the top-10 list in 2023, no doubt at least partially because it was only added to iPhone in May of that year, for an impressive debut.

The reality that ChatGPT is surpassing social networking standbys, and necessary utilities like Google Maps, speaks to how far the reach of AI has intruded into people’s daily lives here in the United States. It also shows how OpenAI might be able to compete against Google’s strong grip on the search market for smartphones, especially as more and more people go there looking for an answer first from a chatbot.

There had been indications that ChatGPT was headed for No. 1 earlier in the year — it became the most downloaded app worldwide in March, outdoing top ranking apps including TikTok and Instagram.

Most Downloaded App 2025

Apple also announced its list of the top paid apps and the top free and paid games for iPhone and iPad, as well as the best Apple Arcade games.

Block Blast! We reported that the top free game this year was, and Minecraft clinched the spot for the most paid game. For iPad, YouTube ranked as the top free app, while the creativity app Procreate was the most downloaded paid game on iPad. Roblox ranked first among free iPad games.

Top Free iPhone Apps

1. ChatGPT
2. Threads
3. Google
4. TikTok – Videos, Shop & LIVE
5. WhatsApp Messenger
6. Instagram
7. YouTube
8. Google Maps
9. Gmail – Email by Google
10. Google Gemini

 Top Paid iPhone Apps

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

 Top Free iPhone Games

1. Block Blast!
2. Fortnite
3. Roblox
4. Township
5. Pokémon TCG Pocket
6. Royal Kingdom
7. Clash Royale
8. Vita Mahjong
9. Whiteout Survival
10. Last War: Survival

 Top Paid iPhone Games

1. Minecraft: Dream it, Build it!
2. Balatro
3. Heads Up!
4. Plague Inc.
5. Geometry Dash
6. Bloons TD 6
7. Stardew Valley
8. Papa’s Freezeria To Go!
9. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C
10. Red’s First Flight

 Top Free iPad Apps

1. YouTube
2. ChatGPT
3. Netflix
4. Disney+
5. Amazon Prime Video
6. TikTok – Videos, Shop & LIVE
7. Google Chrome
8. Goodnotes: AI Notes, Docs, PDF
9. Canva: AI Photo & Video Editor
10. HBO Max: Stream Movies & TV

 Top Paid iPad Apps

1. Procreate
2. Procreate Dreams
3. forScore
4. ToonSquid
5. Nomad Sculpt
6. Shadowrocket
7. AnkiMobile Flashcards
8. Bluebeam Revu for iPad
9. Teach Your Monster to Read
10. Feather: Draw in 3D

 Top Free iPad Games

1. Roblox
2. Block Blast!
3. Fortnite
4. Perfect Tidy
5. Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
6. Mini Games: Calm & Chill
7. Goods Puzzle: Sort Challenge
8. hole.io
9. Subway Surfers
10. Township

 Top Paid iPad Games

1. Minecraft: Dream it, Build it!
2. Geometry Dash
3. Stardew Valley
4. Balatro
5. Bloons TD 6
6. Plague Inc.
7. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp C
8. Poppy Playtime Chapter 3
9. Purple Place – Classic Games
10. Papa’s Sushiria To Go!

Top Apple Arcade Games

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