In 2023, Temu secured its position as the most sought-after iPhone application in the United States. This Chinese e-commerce giant's app has surpassed even Amazon in terms of user engagement, marking a significant shift in the app landscape. Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, unveiled a special feature on the App Store, spotlighting the premier iPhone apps of the year, categorized by both free and paid apps, with the metric being app installations – a reliable indicator of overall popularity.
Unlike the preceding year dominated by U.S. tech giants such as Meta and Google, Chinese-based apps, specifically CapCut and TikTok from ByteDance, claimed the third and fifth spots, respectively, shuffling the rankings.
Meta, which formerly occupied the third, fourth, and ninth positions with WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, underwent a transformation in its app lineup. Notably absent is Facebook, while Meta's new entrant, Instagram Threads, clinched the third spot in U.S. downloads. Instagram and WhatsApp slid to sixth and ninth places, experiencing a decline from their standings in the previous year.
Google, once a force in the app hierarchy, saw a dwindling presence compared to the previous year. In 2023, Google managed only two top 10 apps – Google Search at seventh place and YouTube at eighth – both slipping in rank from the preceding year.
This shift in download patterns suggests a potential market saturation for U.S. tech giants, where their apps may not be as coveted as before due to widespread prior installations. Simultaneously, it underscores the rising demand for apps from Chinese entities, particularly ByteDance, which captures the attention of a younger audience amidst increased governmental scrutiny. TikTok, a ByteDance creation, faced bans on government devices in various jurisdictions over concerns about its ties to China. Even Montana made an attempt to ban TikTok within its borders, though legal proceedings have temporarily halted that decision.
Despite TikTok facing negative publicity, it slid from the top spot in the previous year to fifth place. However, U.S. consumers have not forsaken Chinese apps, evident in Temu's crowning as the number one app. Apptopia data, as reported by Bloomberg, revealed that users spent an average of 18 minutes daily on Temu's app, surpassing the 10 minutes spent on Amazon. Younger users exhibited even higher engagement, averaging 19 minutes per day. Temu's allure lies not only in its in-app games but also in its competitive prices, particularly appealing during economic downturns. The app has also benefitted from robust marketing, reminiscent of TikTok's strategy leading up to its top-ranking position last year.
Among the top apps, Max (formerly HBO Max) was the lone entry not affiliated with Meta, Google, or a Chinese firm, securing the third spot in U.S. downloads.
Turning attention to the realm of paid apps, the list features smaller developers and those crafting valuable productivity tools, creative applications, or utilities that users are willing to pay for. Notable entries include Shadowrocket, HotSchedules, Procreate Pocket, The Wonder Weeks, 75 Hard, AutoSleep Track Sleep on Watch, Goblin Tools, TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome, SkyView, and AnkiMobile Flashcards.
The landscape of free games retained some of the previous year's champions such as Roblox, Call of Duty: Mobile, Subway Surfers, and Parking Jam 3D, with MONOPOLY GO! claiming the top spot this year.
In the domain of paid games, Microsoft-owned Minecraft led the pack, joined by other notable titles like Heads Up!, Geometry Dash, Bloons TD 6, MONOPOLY, Papa's Freezeria To Go!, Plague Inc., Red's First Flight, Five Nights at Freddy's (also adapted into a movie this year), and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Apple's comprehensive feature also includes separate lists for top iPad apps and games, both free and paid, as well as the top Apple Arcade games, providing a glimpse into the subscription gaming store. Notable inclusions are streaming apps like Max, YouTube, and Netflix in the top free iPad apps. Top iPad games feature more kid-friendly titles, including Toca Life: Hospital and Teach Your Monster to Read.
The complete array of lists covers various categories, showcasing the dynamic preferences and trends in the ever-evolving landscape of mobile applications and games.