Apple has released its annual list of the most downloaded free iPhone apps in the United States for 2025, highlighting a clear shift in consumer behavior as artificial intelligence applications surge in popularity. According to Apple’s data, AI driven tools have moved from niche utilities to mainstream mobile essentials, reshaping how users interact with their devices.
For the US market, OpenAI’s ChatGPT emerged as the most downloaded free iPhone app of 2025, excluding games. The ranking marks a significant rise for the AI chatbot, which placed fourth last year and failed to enter the top ten in 2023. The momentum reflects growing user interest in AI powered assistance for search, productivity and everyday queries.
Apple’s list also confirms that ChatGPT became the most downloaded app globally in March this year, surpassing long standing social media leaders such as TikTok and Instagram. The rapid adoption underscores how AI tools are increasingly viewed as core smartphone utilities rather than experimental technology.
Google’s Gemini also secured a position among the top downloaded apps, signaling strong competition in the AI space. The Google Search app, which allows users to search using AI, images and text, continued to perform strongly as well. Together, these rankings indicate that Apple users are actively embracing AI driven experiences across multiple platforms.
Apple data shows social media and messaging apps remain strong
Despite the rise of AI, social media platforms maintained a strong presence in Apple’s top downloads list. Threads, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat all ranked within the top 20 free apps in the US. The continued popularity of these platforms suggests that social discovery and video consumption remain central to mobile usage patterns.
Messaging apps also performed well. WhatsApp and Telegram were among the most downloaded apps, reflecting sustained demand for private and group communication tools. Their inclusion highlights the importance of cross platform messaging within the Apple ecosystem, particularly for users who communicate across Android and iOS devices.
Utility and content creation apps rounded out the list. Google Maps and Gmail remained essential downloads for navigation and email. CapCut gained traction as a video editing tool, while Spotify and Chrome continued to attract users seeking music streaming and web browsing alternatives on iPhone.
Other apps in the top 20 include Temu, T Life, Lemon8 and Rednote, indicating a mix of shopping, lifestyle and content discovery services resonating with US users. Apple’s data suggests that while trends shift, a balance of AI, social media, productivity and entertainment continues to define the iPhone app ecosystem.
Top free iPhone apps in the US in 2025 according to Apple
- ChatGPT
- Threads
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Google Maps
- Gmail
- Google Gemini
- CapCut
- Temu
- T Life
- Telegram
- Lemon8
- Spotify
- Chrome
- Snapchat
- Rednote
Apple’s annual rankings provide insight into how user priorities are evolving. The dominance of AI applications alongside established social platforms suggests that intelligent tools are becoming deeply integrated into daily mobile use. As Apple continues to refine its ecosystem, the company’s app download data offers a valuable snapshot of where consumer interest is heading in the year ahead.
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