ChatGPT has overtaken Google applications and social media platforms as the most popular app on iPhone, highlighting a shift in consumer habits toward greater daily reliance on AI.
Apple has released the list of the top downloaded apps and games for the year, with ChatGPT from OpenAI claiming the No. 1 spot in the free iPhone apps category (excluding games) in the U.S. market for 2025.
ChatGPT’s popularity has surpassed major platforms such as Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, as well as key tools like Google Maps, Gmail, and direct competitor Gemini.
ChatGPT’s rise in popularity has been rapid, climbing from 4th place last year to surpass foundational social media apps and regularly used services like Google Maps, indicating that AI technology has deeply integrated into daily life for users in the U.S. and worldwide.
Additionally, ChatGPT’s capabilities may signal to Google—whose Google Search has been a long-standing revenue tool—that consumer behavior is shifting from keyword-based searches toward chatbot interactions.
The surge in ChatGPT’s popularity began as early as March, when its downloads surpassed those of TikTok and Instagram.
In other categories this year, Block Blast! holds the top spot for free iPhone games, while Minecraft remains the most popular paid game.
..On the iPad side, YouTube ranks as the top free app, while Procreate is the most popular paid app.
Here is the summary list of the most popular apps and games for 2025:
Top Free iPhone Apps
Top Paid iPhone Apps
Top Free iPhone Games
Top Paid iPhone Games
Top Free iPad Apps
Top Paid iPad Apps
Top Apple Arcade Games