Chinese shopping app Temu has once again taken the top spot as the most downloaded free app in the US, according to Apple's recently released list of top apps and games for 2024. This marks the second consecutive year that Temu has claimed the number one position, surpassing TikTok, which held the title in 2022.

TikTok, currently facing a US ban, has dropped to the third spot, behind Instagram Threads, which moved up to the second position. Apple's annual list provides insight into consumer preferences, showcasing the most popular apps and games downloaded on Apple devices, as opposed to the company's editorial picks.

One notable surprise in this year's list is the appearance of ChatGPT, the AI chatbot, which ranked as the fourth most downloaded app in the US App Store. This is a significant jump, considering ChatGPT didn't make the top 10 last year, shortly after its release on iPhone in May 2023. Its popularity has grown rapidly, now surpassing Google's Search app in terms of downloads.

Meta's apps, including Instagram and WhatsApp, continue to feature in the overall most-downloaded list, although their rankings have been declining in recent years. This time around, Instagram and WhatsApp came in at numbers 6 and 7, respectively, followed by CapCut, YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Shein, and Facebook at number 13.

The rest of the top 20 most-downloaded apps include Telegram, Snapchat, Cash App, Spotify, Max, McDonald's, and Amazon. Apple also released lists of top free games, top paid games, top paid apps, and top Apple Arcade titles for 2024, which can be found on the App Store's Today page.

In the gaming sphere, Block Blast!, a Tetris-inspired game, took the top spot as the most-downloaded free game of the year in the US, followed by Monopoly Go!, Roblox, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, and Township. The top Apple Arcade title was NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, with Snake.io+, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Sneaky Sasquatch, and Bloons TD 6+.

The implications of Temu's continued dominance and ChatGPT's rapid rise are significant, highlighting the shifting landscape of mobile app preferences. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop and influence the market in the coming year.

Apple's year-end lists provide a unique window into consumer behavior, offering insights into the apps and games that are resonating with users. As the mobile app ecosystem continues to grow and adapt, these lists serve as a valuable benchmark for developers, entrepreneurs, and industry observers alike.