ChatGPT became the most downloaded app in the world

In March 2025, ChatGPT became the most downloaded app in the world, surpassing giants like Instagram and TikTok for the first time. According to data from the analytics company Appfigures, the app was installed 46 million times in one month — 28% more than in February.

This surge in popularity may be linked to several key updates. In particular, ChatGPT received its first major image generation update in a year, enabling users to create viral Studio Ghibli-style memes. OpenAI also updated its voice function and relaxed moderation of visual content.

Interestingly, experts believe that it’s not just the new features driving growth. ChatGPT is increasingly perceived as synonymous with the concept of "artificial intelligence" — much like how Google once became synonymous with internet search.

Meanwhile, competitors such as Claude by Anthropic or DeepSeek remain in the shadows despite technological innovations. Even Grok, backed by Elon Musk and the X platform, still can’t match ChatGPT’s popularity.

Other popular apps in March included Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and CapCut, but none came close to the phenomenon of ChatGPT.