Apple reveals the most downloaded iPhone apps and games of 2025

Apple released its annual rankings of the most downloaded apps and games on the U.S. App Store, revealing a year defined by generative AI tools, short-form social platforms, and long-running gaming franchises. The lists highlight usage trends across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Arcade for 2025.

ChatGPT was the most downloaded free iPhone app of the year, followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, and WhatsApp. Google Gemini, the only other chatbot to break into the top 10, landed in tenth place, underscoring the continued momentum behind AI assistants.

Paid app activity skewed toward productivity and utility tools, with HotSchedules ranking first, ahead of Shadowrocket and Procreate Pocket.

Among free iPhone games, Block Blast!, Fortnite, and Roblox were the top three downloads. Minecraft: Dream it, Build it! led the paid iPhone game rankings, followed by Balatro and Heads Up.

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 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 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 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

The Most Downloaded iPad Apps and Games

On iPad, YouTube secured the top spot for free apps, with ChatGPT in second place. Streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video rounded out the upper tier. Procreate, Procreate Dreams, and forScore were the most downloaded paid iPad apps.

Roblox, Block Blast!, and Fortnite dominated the free iPad game category. Minecraft again led paid downloads, followed by Geometry Dash and Stardew Valley.

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 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 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 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!

The Most Downloaded Apple Arcade Games

Apple also published its top Apple Arcade downloads. NFL Retro Bowl ’26 took the lead, followed by NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition and Balatro+. Longstanding titles such as Sneaky Sasquatch and Fruit Ninja Classic+ remained among the service’s most-played experiences.

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+