Google Gemini Overtakes ChatGPT to Top iOS App Store in 2025

In a significant milestone for Google’s AI ambitions, the Gemini iOS app has claimed the top spot on the App Store’s Top Free Apps chart in multiple countries, including India and the US, as of September 12, 2025. This marks the first time Google Gemini has surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a long-standing leader in the AI chatbot space. The surge in popularity is largely attributed to innovative features like the Nano Banana image editing tool, visual guidance in Gemini Live, and a redesigned prompt bar. This article explores the factors behind Gemini’s rise, its standout features, and its impact on the competitive AI app market.

Gemini’s Historic Climb to the Top

Google Gemini’s ascent to the number one position on the iOS App Store was first highlighted by Logan Kilpatrick, the product lead for Google AI Studio and Gemini API, through a post on X. Independent verification confirmed that as of Monday, September 15, 2025, Gemini continued to hold the top spot in both India and the US, while securing the second position in Canada and the UK. This achievement is a first for Gemini, which has now outpaced competitors like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, both of which previously dominated the App Store charts.

The rapid rise of Gemini reflects Google’s aggressive push to enhance its AI offerings. Unlike its predecessors, Gemini has leveraged a combination of innovative features and viral trends to capture user attention. The app’s success in multiple markets underscores its appeal across diverse demographics, positioning it as a formidable player in the global AI chatbot landscape.

Nano Banana: The Game-Changing Feature

A key driver behind Gemini’s surge is the introduction of the Nano Banana image editing tool, launched in late August 2025. This AI-powered feature allows users to upload images and perform precise edits while maintaining character consistency, a capability that sets it apart from other AI models. For instance, Nano Banana can remove specific elements from an image without altering the rest, enabling seamless modifications like changing backgrounds or adjusting clothing. This feature has resonated strongly with users, generating over 500 million images in just two weeks and driving 23 million new users to the Gemini app by September 9, 2025.

The Nano Banana tool is available to all Gemini users, with paid subscribers enjoying higher rate limits for more frequent usage. Its viral success, amplified by social media platforms like X and Instagram, has turned it into a cultural phenomenon, with influencers, celebrities, and even politicians showcasing their AI-generated 3D figurine-style portraits. This trend has significantly boosted Gemini’s visibility, making it a must-have app for creative and tech-savvy users.

Gemini’s Feature-Packed Updates

Beyond Nano Banana, Google has rolled out several enhancements to the Gemini app, contributing to its growing popularity. The introduction of visual guidance in Gemini Live allows users to interact with the chatbot in a more intuitive, vision-based manner, enhancing the user experience for tasks like object recognition and real-time assistance. Additionally, a redesigned prompt bar streamlines user interactions, making it easier to input queries and receive accurate responses. These updates reflect Google’s commitment to delivering a versatile and user-friendly AI platform.

Google has also integrated Gemini-powered features into other apps, such as the Google Translate app, which now supports live voice translation. A new language coaching tool further enhances Gemini’s utility by assisting users in learning and practicing new languages. These additions cater to a broad audience, from casual users seeking entertainment to professionals leveraging AI for productivity. The rapid pace of feature releases has kept Gemini at the forefront of the AI chatbot market, challenging competitors like ChatGPT and Grok.

Competitive Landscape: Gemini vs. ChatGPT

While Gemini’s rise to the top of the App Store is a notable achievement, ChatGPT remains a dominant force in the AI app market. According to data from AppMagic, ChatGPT recorded 17 million weekly downloads in the second week of September 2025, compared to Gemini’s 13 million. However, Gemini’s growth trajectory is impressive, having jumped from three million weekly installs in August to 13 million by mid-September. This surge, driven by the Nano Banana feature, has narrowed the gap with ChatGPT, which still leads with a total of 41 million downloads in September compared to Gemini’s 20 million.

ChatGPT’s strength lies in its massive user base, approaching one billion weekly active users, and its established brand recognition. However, Gemini’s integration with Google’s ecosystem, including native multimodality and Android optimization, gives it a competitive edge. For instance, Gemini’s Android app accounts for nearly 90 percent of its users, benefiting from seamless integration with Google services. In contrast, ChatGPT’s downloads are more evenly distributed across iOS and Android, reflecting its broader platform appeal but less dominance on Google’s home turf.

Impact of Viral Trends on App Popularity

The Nano Banana feature’s viral success highlights the power of social media trends in driving app downloads. Similar to the Ghibli-style image trend that propelled ChatGPT’s popularity earlier in 2025, Nano Banana has captured the imagination of users worldwide. The ability to create hyper-realistic 3D figurine-style portraits, complete with collector-style packaging, has resonated with a diverse audience, from everyday users to public figures. This trend has not only boosted Gemini’s downloads but also increased its cultural relevance, making it a topic of discussion across platforms like X.

The viral nature of Nano Banana underscores a broader shift in how AI apps engage users. By combining practical functionality with creative, shareable outputs, Gemini has tapped into a growing demand for AI-driven content creation. This strategy has proven effective in attracting new users, particularly younger demographics who value social media integration and visual creativity. As Gemini continues to innovate, its ability to sustain this momentum will be crucial in maintaining its competitive position.

Future Prospects for Gemini

Google’s rapid development cycle for Gemini suggests that the app is poised for further growth. With features like Nano Banana driving user engagement, Google is likely to continue investing in creative and practical AI tools to differentiate Gemini from competitors. The app’s strong performance on iOS, despite Android being Google’s primary platform, indicates its broad appeal and potential to capture a larger share of the mobile AI market. As Google rolls out additional updates, such as enhanced multimodal capabilities and deeper integration with its ecosystem, Gemini could further close the gap with ChatGPT.

The competitive landscape remains dynamic, with other AI apps like Perplexity, Grok, and Claude also vying for user attention. However, Gemini’s recent success suggests that Google’s focus on user-centric features and viral marketing is paying off. As the AI app market stabilizes, Gemini’s ability to maintain its top ranking will depend on its ability to deliver consistent value and innovate at a pace that keeps users engaged.