According to Apple’s list of top apps and games across the App Store, released on Monday, Chinese shopping app Temu has once again taken the number one spot as the most downloaded free app in the U.S.
This marks a repeat performance for Temu, which first took over the top spot from TikTok last year. Although TikTok currently faces a U.S. ban, it managed to secure the third position on this year’s list, closely followed by Meta’s Instagram Threads, which jumped up to second place after being the number three most downloaded app in 2023.
A Year-End List Like No Other
Apple releases its list of top apps and games at the end of each year to showcase what consumers are actually downloading on their devices. This is different from the editorial picks made by App Store editors, which highlight popular apps or games of the year. In fact, this is the only year-end list from Apple where ChatGPT makes an appearance.
The Rise of ChatGPT
ChatGPT, the AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI, has been steadily gaining popularity since its release on iPhone in May 2023. Last year, it failed to make the top 10, but this year it secured a respectable fourth spot as the most downloaded app in the U.S.
This significant jump can be attributed to the growing demand for AI-powered tools and services. ChatGPT’s integration with various apps and platforms has also contributed to its widespread adoption.
Meta’s Apps Continue to Dominate
Despite dropping in ranks in recent years, Meta’s apps still hold a strong presence on this year’s list. Instagram Threads ranked well at number two, followed closely by Facebook-owned WhatsApp at number seven, CapCut (owned by TikTok parent ByteDance) at number eight, and YouTube at number nine.
Other Notable Apps
Rounding out the top 20 are Telegram, Snapchat, Cash App, Spotify, Max, McDonald’s, Amazon, Gmail, Google Maps, Shein, Facebook at number 13, and Apple Arcade titles NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition and Snake.io+.
Full Lists Available on the App Store
The full lists of top apps and games for 2024 can be found on the App Store’s Today page. This includes separate lists for free apps, paid apps, top paid games, and Apple Arcade titles.
Top Free Apps
According to the list, Block Blast!, a Tetris-inspired game, took the number one spot as the most downloaded free app of the year in the U.S., followed closely by Monopoly Go!, Roblox, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, and Township.
Apple Arcade Titles
The top Apple Arcade title for 2024 was NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, with other popular titles including Snake.io+, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Sneaky Sasquatch, and Bloons TD 6+.
Conclusion
As the year comes to a close, it’s clear that Temu has solidified its position as the most downloaded free app in the U.S. The rise of ChatGPT and Meta’s apps also demonstrates the ever-changing landscape of the App Store.
With new technologies and innovations emerging every day, we can expect even more exciting developments in the world of mobile apps and games in 2025.
