Data from App Figures has revealed that OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been downloaded over 46 million times in March 2025, snatching the coveted title as the most downloaded app. This shift has come as a surprise considering ChatGPT has outperformed Instagram and TikTok, both of whom were frontrunners in the app market.

Helped by 46 Million Downloads, ChatGPT Snatches the Top Spot

As per App Figures:

ChatGPT had a total of 46 million downloads in March. In the months leading to March, several marketing strategies were enacted to ensure ChatGPT was the most downloaded app.:

43 percent of the total downloads were from iOS users while 87 percent were from Android users. Therefore: iOS: 13 million Android: 33 million

While Instagram also achieved 46 million downloads, they were distributed differently.

iOS: 5 million Android: 41 million

Third place TikTok saw a growth of 45 million downloads. they triumphed over Instagram with.  8 million Android: 37 million

With both apps at a standstill, ChatGPT surpasses Instagram when considering rounding guidelines followed previously stated.

What is Prompting the Viral Growth of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT’s surge in usage can be directly accredited to the launch of OpenAI’s new AI image generation tool. The tool’s popularity skyrocketed when users began posting Ghibli-studio-themed AI portraits on social media.

This drove a huge surge of interest, encouraging countless people to download the application and test the new function. OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap disclosed that over 130 million active users took advantage of the feature, exceeding 700 million pictures in the first week alone.

Market Momentum and Year-on-Year Growth

28% rise in downloads between February and March 2025

148% increase in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024

These figures highlight the increasing market power ChatGPT is wielding, particularly in the mobile app industry, as it transitions from a simple chatbot to a viral multimedia application.

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