ChatGPT overtakes Instagram, TikTok as most downloaded (46 million) app globally

OpenAI's ChatGPT has emerged as the most downloaded app in the world for March 2025, surpassing popular social media platforms Instagram and TikTok, according to a recent report by App Figures.

Also read: OpenAI losing money for ChatGPT Pro subscriptions: Here’s why

The spike in downloads closely follows the launch of a new image generation feature within the app. This tool, which enables users to create Ghibli-style artwork, triggered a viral trend that significantly boosted the app’s popularity. Millions of users flocked to the app to explore its creative possibilities, driving it to the top of global download charts.

ChatGPT registered an estimated 46 million downloads in March, narrowly surpassing Instagram, which also hit 46 million but with a different platform distribution. ChatGPT saw 13 million downloads on iOS and 33 million on Android, while Instagram logged 5 million on iOS and 41 million on Android. TikTok followed with 45 million downloads—8 million from iOS and 37 million via Android.

The app’s growth momentum is notable, showing a 28% month-on-month increase from February to March. More impressively, ChatGPT's first-quarter downloads surged by 148% compared to the same period in 2024.

The new image generation feature has seen massive adoption. In just its first week, over 130 million users created more than 700 million images using the tool, underlining its viral appeal and the strong pull of AI-powered creativity.

ChatGPT’s rise signals a growing shift toward AI-driven applications in mainstream digital culture.