Highlights

• ChatGPT led the free iPhone app chart followed by Threads, TikTok, Instagram and multiple Google apps like Gemini, YouTube, Maps and Gmail.
• Streaming apps dominated free iPad downloads with YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Prime Video at the top.
• Roblox, Fortnite, and Block Blast led free iPad games; Minecraft, Geometry Dash, and Stardew Valley topped paid charts.
• Apple Arcade hits included NFL Retro Bowl ’26, NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, and Balatro+.

Apple has shared the year’s most downloaded iPhone apps, offering insight into what users are installing the most on their devices. The rankings cover the top 10 most downloaded free and paid apps and games on both iPhone and iPad, along with a separate chart for the most downloaded Apple Arcade titles.

If you have missed, Apple has also already announced the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards, spotlighting 17 standout apps and games across its platforms including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Vision Pro. Anyhow, let’s get back to the most downloaded iPhone Apps of 2025.

ChatGPT Tops the Free iPhone App Chart, Threads Follows Strong

Caption – (Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash)

As expected, OpenAI’s ChatGPT takes the top spot as the most downloaded free iPhone app of 2025. This is the most unsurprising win given its massive global popularity. But the rest of the list includes a few unexpected placements.

Meta’s Threads has secured the second position among free iPhone apps. The platform, which Mark Zuckerberg hopes will become the prime competitor to X (formerly Twitter and Bluesky), seems to have drawn significant user interest, helped by heavy cross-promotion from Instagram.

TikTok also maintained a high ranking at number four despite regulatory uncertainties in the United States. Instagram itself ranks sixth. Google, meanwhile, continues to dominate multiple slots with Gemini, YouTube, the Google app, and Google Maps all appearing in the top ten.

Video Streaming Apps Lead on iPad, Instagram Misses Top 10

While Instagram finally launched an official iPad app, it did not break into the top 10 free iPad apps. Instead, the iPad charts are dominated by streaming platforms. YouTube takes the number-one spot, followed by major players like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video.

GoodNotes, popular for its handwriting cleanup tools, folder organisation features, and AI-driven note-taking, also makes the list. Google Chrome appears as well, underscoring Google’s strong presence on both platforms.

Top Games of 2025 – Roblox, Fortnite, Block Blast, Minecraft and More

For gaming, Roblox, Block Blast, and Fortnite top the free iPad games chart. On the paid side, Minecraft, Geometry Dash, and Stardew Valley continue their years-long streak as favourites among iPad users.

Apple Arcade’s most downloaded games are also revealed, with NFL Retro Bowl ’26, NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, and Balatro+ taking the top positions. The list highlights a mix of sports titles, casual hits, and classic favourites.

Complete Lists of the Most Downloaded iPhone, iPad, and Apple Arcade Apps & Games

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 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 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 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

Top Free iPad Apps

• YouTube
• ChatGPT
• Netflix
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video
• TikTok – Videos, Shop & LIVE
• Google Chrome
• Goodnotes: AI Notes, Docs, PDF
• Canva: AI Photo & Video Editor
• HBO Max: Stream Movies & TV

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 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. io
9. Subway Surfers
10. Township

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!

Top Apple Arcade Games

• NFL Retro Bowl ’26
• NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition
• Balatro+
• io+
• Sneaky Sasquatch
• Hello Kitty Island Adventure
• Fruit Ninja Classic+
• Bloons TD 6+
• PGA TOUR Pro Golf
• Solitaire by MobilityWare+

These rankings are also available directly on the App Store under the apps, games, and Apple Arcade sections.

FAQs

Q1. Which app was the most downloaded free iPhone app in 2025?

Answer. OpenAI’s ChatGPT topped the free iPhone app chart, followed by Meta’s Threads and Google apps like Gemini and YouTube.

Q2. What dominated the iPad app downloads in 2025?

Answer. Streaming platforms led the free iPad charts, with YouTube at number one, followed by Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video.

Q3. Which games were the most popular across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Arcade?

Answer. Roblox, Fortnite, and Block Blast topped free iPad games; Minecraft, Geometry Dash, and Stardew Valley led paid charts; Apple Arcade hits included NFL Retro Bowl ’26, NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, and Balatro+.

Also Read –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apple-ios-18-update-features/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/app-store-awards-2022-winners-the-best-apps-and-games-of-the-year/