Apple released its annual "Most Popular Apps and Games List" this Wednesday. Data shows that **OpenAI's ChatGPT** successfully claimed the title of 2025 US Market Free iPhone App (Non-Gaming) Downloads, and its rapid rise symbolizes that artificial intelligence (AI) has deeply penetrated the daily lives of Americans.
AI Beats Social Giants and Practical Tools
The list shows that after ChatGPT, the following popular apps include Meta's Threads, Google Search, TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and Google's Gemini.
The recent top ranking of ChatGPT is significant. It not only surpassed mainstream social networks such as Threads and Instagram, but also beat traditional utility tools like Google Maps, breaking the traditional app traffic pattern. This trend indicates that as users increasingly turn to chatbots first for information and answers, OpenAI has the potential to challenge Google's long-standing monopoly in the mobile search market.
ChatGPT's Rapid Rise
Looking back at the past two years, the speed of ChatGPT's ascent is astonishing.
2023: Although the app was launched on iPhone in May 2023, it still did not make it into the top ten in terms of download volume that year.
2024: It rose to the fourth position on the free app list, but the top spot was occupied by the Chinese shopping app Temu.
2025: It strongly took the number one position.
Evidence had already hinted at this result: earlier this year, ChatGPT once became the most downloaded app globally, surpassing heavyweights like TikTok and Instagram.
