Most Downloaded iPhone Apps in 2025 (Ranked by Category)

Did you know iPhone users downloaded over 38 billion apps globally in just the first quarter of 2025?

From AI-powered productivity tools to viral social platforms and addictive mobile games, the App Store has never been more alive and competitive.

Each year, certain apps rise to the top, capturing the attention (and storage space) of millions. 

But which apps truly dominated in 2025? 

And which ones quietly climbed the charts while others faded into the background?

In this guide, I’ve ranked the most downloaded iPhone apps of 2025, breaking them down by category.

You’ll see familiar names, surprising newcomers, and some breakout apps you’ll want to download immediately.

Let’s dive in.

Top 10 Most Downloaded iPhone Apps in 2025

Below are the top 10 most downloaded iPhone apps worldwide in 2025 across all categories, based on the latest App Store data and download analytics:

Quick Insights:

• Social media apps dominate, taking 5 of the top 10 spots.

• Temu stands out as the only shopping app cracking the top 3, beating Amazon and SHEIN.

• ChatGPT continues its streak as one of the most popular AI apps worldwide.

• Threads has made a surprising leap, cementing its place as a mainstream social platform.

Top iPhone Apps of 2025 by Category

Now, let me take you through the most downloaded iPhone apps in 2025, ranked by categories.

1. Social Media

Social media remains the undisputed king of downloads, with billions of users scrolling, sharing, and swiping daily. 

In 2025, we saw not just the usual giants holding their ground but also new players rising fast.

Here are the most downloaded iPhone social media apps this year:

What’s Driving the Trend?

• Short-form video content continues to dominate, thanks to Reels and TikTok trends.

• Threads by Meta has found its audience with a focus on microblogging and minimalist vibes.

• Telegram’s hybrid model of messaging + channels has made it a crossover social platform.

• Facebook’s unexpected staying power lies in its stronghold over international users.

Fun fact: Instagram crossed 2 billion monthly active users globally in 2025.

2. AI & Smart Tools

2025 is officially the year AI apps went mainstream.

No longer limited to techies or productivity nerds, AI-powered tools are now sitting right beside Instagram and TikTok on everyone’s home screen.

Here are the most downloaded iPhone AI apps this year:

Why These AI Apps Are Blowing Up

• ChatGPT is now used for everything from writing emails to solving homework.

• CapCut seamlessly combines AI + video, making it a go-to for TikTok and Reels creators.

• Gemini gained traction by being built right into Google’s core tools, and it’s now on iPhones, too.

• People love tools that help them do more in less time, and these apps deliver.

AI stat: ChatGPT became the #1 AI app on iOS for 8 straight months in 2025.

3. Games

Mobile gaming continues to be a powerhouse category on iOS, with billions spent and played globally. 

In 2025, a mix of casual hits, battle royales, and strategic brain-teasers kept users coming back for more.

Here are the most downloaded iPhone games of the year:

Key Highlights

• Royal Match claimed the #1 spot thanks to addictive gameplay and aggressive marketing.

• Subway Surfers is a classic that refuses to slow down, even after a decade.

• Roblox thrives with a strong Gen Z and teen community driving UGC (user-generated content).

• Free Fire dominates in global markets, especially in regions where lightweight games perform best.

• Candy Crush still crushes, proving nostalgia + smart level design = long-term success.

Game stat: Mobile games now account for over 50% of App Store consumer spending.

4. Entertainment & Streaming

In 2025, the line between entertainment, social content, and personal streaming is blurrier than ever. 

From binge-worthy shows and YouTube rabbit holes to anime streaming and bite-sized video clips, this category is booming.

Here are the top iPhone apps people are using to stay entertained:

What’s Trending in 2025

• YouTube Shorts has become a direct TikTok competitor, driving huge engagement spikes.

• Netflix retains loyal subscribers with exclusive series and AI-recommended content.

• Crunchyroll saw a massive boost, thanks to global anime hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Solo Leveling.

• Spotify stays strong with smart playlists, audiobooks, and podcast integration.

Hot stat: Video streaming apps now account for 20% of total iPhone screen time on average.

5. Shopping & E-commerce

Whether it’s finding ultra-cheap deals, scrolling TikTok-style shopping feeds, or tracking packages in real time, mobile shopping has gone full throttle in 2025.

Here are the iPhone shopping apps that dominated downloads this year:

Why These Apps Are Winning

• Temu is the surprise breakout app of the year, blending gamification + shopping in a TikTok-style experience.

• Amazon keeps its crown thanks to Prime delivery, deals, and device integration.

• SHEIN maintains a loyal Gen Z audience with fast fashion drops and algorithmic curation.

• AliExpress thrives in global markets by offering quirky, cheap, and hard-to-find items.

• Walmart leans into hybrid retail with order-ahead groceries and pharmacy services.

Shopping stat: 7 out of 10 shoppers under 30 now use at least two e-commerce apps regularly on their iPhones.

6. Education

From mastering new languages to getting AI-powered homework help, education apps are smarter, faster, and more personalized than ever. 

In 2025, a mix of AI tutors, language apps, and bite-sized learning platforms are leading the charge.

Here are the top iPhone education apps by downloads:

Why They’re Trending in 2025

• Duolingo remains the most gamified learning app, adding music and math to its language core.

• Photomath and Gauth AI are solving equations using real-time AI and showing students how.

• Khan Academy is expanding its mobile-first experience with interactive practice and teacher support.

• Quizlet is more than flashcards now, it’s becoming a mini AI tutor for bite-sized revision.

Education stat: Over 80% of Gen Z students in the U.S. now use at least one AI-powered study app weekly.

If you’re about learning new languages, these guides are your perfect companion:

• The best apps for mastering Spanish
• The top tools for diving into Japanese
• Essential apps for speaking Italian
• Must-try apps for learning Russian

7. Productivity & Notes

2025 has been the year of smart planning, AI organization, and distraction-free workflows. 

From students and solopreneurs to busy professionals, these productivity apps are powering up daily routines.

Here are the top iPhone productivity apps this year:

Why These Apps Are in Demand

• Notion is exploding in popularity for students, startups, and creators, especially with Notion AI.

• Outlook continues to dominate professional workflows with integrated calendars and Teams features.

• Google Calendar keeps things clean, simple, and synced — and now works great on iPhone.

• Evernote’s rebirth with AI suggestions and templates gave it new life in 2025.

• Goodnotes has become a favorite among iPad + iPhone users who prefer handwritten notes flexibility.

Fun stat: Notion surpassed 100M global users in early 2025, up from just 30M two years ago.

You should also explore these most popular AI productivity apps that are changing how we work and create.

8. Finance & Budgeting

Whether you’re budgeting for groceries or investing in stocks with a swipe, personal finance apps have gone mainstream. In 2025, users want automation, simplicity, and insights, not spreadsheets and stress.

Here are the most downloaded iPhone finance apps this year:

Why These Finance Apps Stand Out

• PayPal continues to dominate global transactions with new in-app financing and crypto support.

• Cash App keeps growing among Gen Z for its ease of use and investing tools.

• Chime is turning mobile-first banking into a no-fee, smart savings experience.

• Mint remains the go-to for budget nerds, now supercharged with smarter AI-based expense tracking.

• Revolut is big with travelers and crypto investors, offering multi-currency accounts and analytics.

Money stat: Over 70% of iPhone users under 35 now manage all their finances from mobile-only apps.

I’ve also put together a guide on the best budget apps for ADHD users.

If managing your finances feels overwhelming, these apps might make a real difference, take a look if you’re curious.

9. Health & Fitness

In 2025, staying healthy isn’t just about steps or calories — it’s about holistic wellness, including sleep, mindfulness, hydration, workouts, and even breathwork. iPhone users are turning to smarter apps that help them build habits, not just hit goals.

Here are the top health & fitness apps by downloads:

What’s Driving Downloads

• MyFitnessPal keeps users motivated with AI-powered meal planning and barcode scanning.

• Fitbit still leads in wearable-connected fitness tracking, especially for sleep scores and heart rate zones.

• Calm is booming as more users prioritize mental health — especially Gen Z and millennials.

• Flo adds smart predictions, insights, and community features that empower women’s health.

• BetterMe gains traction with holistic fitness routines — from yoga to intermittent fasting.

Health stat: Over 65% of iPhone users say they use at least one wellness or fitness app daily.

10. Travel & Navigation

From booking last-minute flights to planning van life road trips, iPhone users rely on travel apps to make every move smoother. And with AI travel agents becoming a thing, the whole game has changed.

Here are the top travel apps by downloads this year:

Why These Apps Lead the Pack

• Google Maps is a daily driver for most, and now includes AI-based place suggestions and eco-routing.

• Uber continues expanding into multi-service (rides, eats, packages) ecosystems.

• Airbnb stays strong with curated experiences and AI trip planners.

• Skyscanner nails it with flexible, real-time flight comparisons across low-cost and major airlines.

• Booking.com remains a global travel powerhouse with loyalty perks and last-minute offers.

Travel stat: In 2025, nearly 1 in 3 international travelers say they booked their entire trip using just apps, no desktops needed.

Full Category-by-Category App Table (2025)

Top Downloaded iPhone Apps by Country/Region (2025)

While global giants like TikTok and WhatsApp dominate overall, different countries have unique download patterns shaped by local preferences, regulations, and even language.

Here’s a look at the most downloaded iPhone apps in key regions as of March 2025:

United States

United Kingdom

India

Canada

Brazil

Fun insight: While TikTok and WhatsApp are common across countries, apps like Meesho (India), Nubank (Brazil), and Flipkart (India) show how local platforms can dominate against global giants.

Fastest Growing iPhone Apps in 2025 (By Monthly Growth Rate)

Some apps don’t just grow, they explode. 

These are the apps that saw the biggest spikes in downloads over the past 3 months, often due to viral trends, product updates, or creator buzz. 

Think of this section as the “next big thing” radar.

Here are the top fastest-growing apps (by percentage growth from Jan to Mar 2025):

Why These Apps Are Blowing Up

• Remini AI went viral on TikTok thanks to its hyper-realistic AI headshots and baby filters.

• Lapse and Ten Ten are redefining how Gen Z shares moments, more private, more real.

• Character AI and ReMini Chat prove that AI chat companions are no longer niche.

• Temu continues to dominate with ultra-cheap viral product hauls and aggressive social campaigns.

• CapCut remains essential for creators, now with even more AI video features.

Insider insight: TikTok-driven virality played a massive role in fueling growth for most of these apps, especially Remini and Lapse.

Most Downloaded New iPhone Apps Launched in 2025 (So Far)

These aren’t just updates, they’re brand-new apps released in 2025 that have already crossed major download milestones within weeks or months. Whether AI-powered, community-driven, or built for Gen Z, these apps are getting serious traction fast.

Why These New Apps Are Gaining Serious Momentum

• ReMini Chat blends the power of AI filters with emotional storytelling, a recipe for virality.

• Ten Ten is tapping into the BeReal-style nostalgia with 10-second-only daily video diaries.

• Vega AI is emerging as a lightweight, mobile-first alternative to ChatGPT for daily tasks.

• SnapWrite is an AI tool for students, built with AI prompts and citation tools.

• AuraCast and ZenBoard are leading a new wave of calm-tech focused on mental wellness.

• Kittly proves that niche + community = traction. Yes, it’s a “social network for cat lovers.”

Quick fact: 7 out of these 10 apps went viral on TikTok or Reddit within 4 weeks of launch, organic buzz is still king in 2025.

Rising Stars & Surprise Hits of 2025

Not every app needs a billion-dollar budget to win.

These underdogs are making their mark by solving real problems in fresh, creative ways.

They might not top the global charts yet, but they’re winning hearts, and fast.

What Makes These Apps Special?

• Hyper-focused on one clear use case (like calming audio or niche communities).

• Clean, Gen Z-friendly UI — easy to use, not bloated.

• Organic virality — driven by Reddit, TikTok, or student communities.

• AI-powered without being overkill — they blend AI naturally, not just for the hype.

Real talk: Some of these apps were built by indie teams or small startups, proving once again that innovation > size.

Noteworthy Trends in 2025 App Downloads

2025 isn’t just about downloads. 

It’s about the new rules of the game. 

Here are the trends that shaped the App Store this year:

1. AI-First Apps Go Mainstream

In 2025, AI isn’t a feature.

It’s the foundation. 

Apps like ReMini AI, Character AI, SnapWrite, and QuickChef AI have shown that users now expect intelligent, personalized experiences out of the box.

• What changed: AI became more accessible, faster, and user-friendly, especially on iPhones with newer chips like the A17 and M-series.

• Big win: AI apps are no longer niche tools for geeks. They’re everyday apps for students, creators, shoppers, and more.

Even apps in categories like journaling, shopping, and mindfulness are now AI-enhanced.

2. Short-Form Video Remains King

Despite predictions of fatigue, short-form video still dominates App Store charts. 

TikTok, CapCut, and Ten Ten are proof that fast, expressive, scrollable content is still what users crave, especially Gen Z and Alpha.

What’s new: More apps are integrating vertical video beyond social, into productivity (like video notes), education (bite-sized explainers), and even e-commerce (live product demos).

TikTokification is real.

Even Canva and Google Slides added video-first editing features this year.

3. Rise of the “Super App”

Apps like Temu, TikTok, and Snapchat are becoming platforms instead of single-use apps. 

They now combine shopping, messaging, entertainment, and even mini-games, all in one place.

• Temu added live shopping + social sharing.
• TikTok rolled out in-app stores + job boards.
• Snapchat is investing in mini apps & creator tools.

Users are spending more time inside one ecosystem, rather than jumping between 10 apps.

4. Cross-Device Ecosystems

The launch of Apple Vision Pro is influencing how iPhone apps are designed. 

Developers are starting to build for a multi-device experience where iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro work together.

• Productivity apps like Notion, Loopin, and Calendar AI are adding spatial features.

• Entertainment apps are optimizing for immersive viewing + audio.

• Health & Fitness apps are testing real-time AR coaching.

You download an app on your iPhone, but you use it across space, screens, and time.

5. Speed is Everything

From AI homework helpers to instant recipe apps, users want faster answers, fewer steps, and smarter suggestions.

• No one’s reading long manuals or tapping through menus.

• Apps like SnapWrite, QuickChef AI, and ReMini succeed because they get to the point, fast.

iPhone users now expect intelligent results in seconds, not minutes.

6. Entertainment Has to Be Instant, Visual & Personal

Short-form video continues to thrive because it’s quick, visual, and emotion-packed.

• Apps like TikTok, CapCut, and Ten Ten show that users want quick dopamine, not deep scrolls.

• Even note-taking and recipe apps are adding video-based formats.

If it’s not snackable or scrollable, it’s struggling.

7. Utility + Fun = Winning Formula

The best-performing apps in 2025 are not just useful, they’re delightful.

• AI apps are making productivity fun.

• Design-forward tools like ZenBoard or NoteLoop are simple but satisfying.

• Even shopping apps like Temu are gamifying the experience.

The new iPhone user mindset? “Help me get stuff done and let me enjoy doing it.”

8. Privacy & Personalization Matter More Than Ever

Users are becoming more selective.

• Apps that offer more control, less noise are thriving.

• Gen Z especially prefers apps that feel private, safe, and personal (think Lapse, BeReal-style tools).

The mass market is slowly rejecting data-hungry, bloated apps.

Subtle privacy features are now selling points.

TL;DR

2025’s top apps weren’t just well-marketed.

They were:

• AI-native
• Visually expressive
• Feature-stacked
• Cross-platform ready

And the 2025 iPhone user wants:

• Smarter shortcuts powered by AI
• Quicker fun in scrollable formats
• Calmer apps with a personal touch
• Less friction, more flow
• Privacy by default

My Final Take

The App Store in 2025 isn’t just about downloads and charts.

It’s a reflection of how we live, work, learn, and scroll. 

And this year’s top apps reveal one thing loud and clear:

iPhone users want tools that are faster, smarter, and more fun — all at once.

We’re no longer downloading apps just to pass time. 

We’re choosing apps that:

• Help us write smarter emails.
• Learn languages on the go.
• Turn our thoughts into visual art.
• Plan our day and track our wellness.
• Get things done, while staying entertained.

What really stood out to me this year?

• The rise of AI-native apps that feel like second brains.

• The return of lightweight, clean design (ZenBoard and NoteLoop say hi).

• And how apps are quietly becoming ecosystems, not just one-trick tools.

If there’s one trend I’m personally loving, it’s this:

The best apps in 2025 respect your time — and enhance it.

And as someone who lives and breathes iPhone apps, I can honestly say… This is the most exciting time to be an iOS user.

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