Chinese shopping app Temu has once again claimed the title of the most downloaded free app in the U.S., according to Apple’s annual list of top apps and games released on Monday. Temu previously secured the top spot last year, overtaking TikTok, which led in 2022.
This year, TikTok dropped to the third position, following Meta’s Threads, which rose to second place. Threads, initially the third most downloaded app of 2023, climbed higher amid increasing uncertainty about TikTok’s future in the U.S., as the platform faces potential bans.
AI and ChatGPT Make Their Mark
Apple’s list, which highlights the apps most downloaded by consumers rather than its editorial favorites, also saw a significant debut for ChatGPT. The AI chatbot, absent from last year’s top 10 after its iPhone launch in May 2023, rose to the fourth spot in 2024—outranking Google Search in downloads.
NIX Solutions notes that Meta apps like Instagram and WhatsApp remained in the top rankings but continued to decline. While Threads reached second place, Instagram and WhatsApp landed at sixth and seventh, respectively. Other notable mentions include CapCut (owned by ByteDance), YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Shein, and Facebook, which came in at number 13.
Top Apps and Games of 2024
Rounding out the top 20 downloaded apps are Telegram, Snapchat, Cash App, Spotify, Max, McDonald’s, and Amazon. Meanwhile, Apple’s list of best games for 2024 was dominated by Block Blast!, a Tetris-inspired game that topped downloads. Other popular titles included Monopoly Go!, Roblox, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, and Township.
In the Apple Arcade category, the top app was NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, followed by Snake.io+, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Sneaky Sasquatch, and Bloons TD 6+.
Apple continues to showcase real consumer preferences through its year-end lists. We’ll keep you updated on trends and integrations as more rankings emerge. For a full breakdown of apps and games, visit the App Store Today page.