A few weeks ago, Apple announced the 2023 App Store Award winners. This is a list of apps and games compiled by the App Store editorial team to highlight meaningful and useful apps. However, many apps not on Apple’s list have been downloaded millions of times and appear on the home screen of every Apple device.
These are the top free iPhone apps downloaded in the US in 2023.
1. Tim: Shop like a millionaire
Temu made headlines this year for offering users huge discounts on products ranging from electronics and tech accessories to clothing and home goods. According to mobile app software company MobiLoud, Temu has over 100 million active users in the United States.
ZDNET has tried out many of Temu’s products this year, and here’s what we know about the site, from how to safely purchase products to what to avoid and why Temu needed to implement multi-factor authentication to keep users safe. I explained everything.
2. CapCut – Video Editor
CapCut is a video editor that allows users to create advanced video content for social media from their smartphones. CapCut is owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance and allows users to link their TikTok account to CapCut and upload edited videos directly to their TikTok account.
3. Max: Stream HBO, TV, and Movies
Max (formerly known as HBO Max) is a streaming service that’s had an interesting year. Warner Bros. and Discovery joined forces to create Max in May, but the rollout wasn’t initially smooth or well-received.
Also: Top 30 Holiday Streaming Sales
Since then, Max has delivered favorite TV shows such as Succession and recently signed a deal with popular film studio A24 to bring award-winning films to the streaming platform.
4. Instagram app, Threads
Threads is the brainchild of Meta, which attracts users dissatisfied with X, formerly known as Twitter. When Elon Musk took over X, users complained about an increase in harmful content, and Meta wanted to capitalize on the issue. Instagram head Adam Mosseri says Threads will be a “well-run” Twitter-like experience.
Related article: Why threads don’t get chronological timelines
Threads broke records when it launched, racking up 150 million downloads in its first week. However, the app debuted without many of the features users were expecting, and users quickly lost interest. Since then, new features have appeared on Threads to re-engage loyal users.
5.TikTok
TikTok, the short-form video app, has become ubiquitous in recent years. According to Wallaroo Media, TikTok has been downloaded more than 220 million times in the United States and is enjoyed by users of all generations.
TikTok has come under intense scrutiny this year as many governments around the world banned the app from government devices, citing potential national security concerns. Earlier this year, the U.S. Congress proposed two bills that would remove legal hurdles the president would face when trying to enact a nationwide ban on TikTok.
Also: TikTok secretly added fast forward option, it’s a game changer
TikTok’s CEO testified for hours before Congress, telling lawmakers that the Chinese government did not run his app and that there were programs in place to keep U.S. user data safe. Guaranteed.
Montana’s governor signed a bill banning TikTok in the state, but the law was ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. judge a month before it went into effect.
6. Instagram
Instagram is a popular social media app that has been on your home screen for over a decade. Apps have taken on new forms over the years, and user interest in them has waxed and waned. Earlier this year, Instagram gave us a glimpse into its powerful algorithm, helping us understand why certain posts are visible and others aren’t.
Related article: Fixing your Instagram feed: Show more of what you want (less of what you don’t)
Instagram has added a number of new features this year, including adding music to your photo carousel, making your feed posts visible only to your closest friends, and redesigning Reels.
7.Google
This year has been a big year for Google. Many new features have arrived in search engines to help users quickly find what they’re looking for. AI is now integrated into Google’s search capabilities. This powerful technology summarizes Google search inquiries and helps users learn English.
Also: How to power Google search with Chrome’s generative AI
According to Statista, Google controls approximately 83% of the global search engine market. Google Chrome is also the most popular web browser for iPhone users whose default browser is Apple’s Safari.
8. YouTube: Watch, listen, stream
YouTube remains the most popular video streaming service and hasn’t loosened its grip on the market over the years. Like many online platforms, YouTube has introduced its fair share of AI-powered features and additional ways for creators to monetize their content.
Also: Top 6 new features and design updates for YouTube (out of literally dozens)
But YouTube’s most notable change in 2023 was the banning of ad blockers. People used to use YouTube ad blockers to avoid watching unskippable ads when clicking on their favorite YouTube videos. As a result, YouTube blocked users using ad blockers from watching videos. Therefore, the user was left with two options. Either disable your ad blocker or pay for ad-free YouTube Premium. This has led to a record number of people uninstalling their ad blockers.
9. WhatsApp Messenger
This year has been packed with new features for WhatsApp, the messaging and photo-sharing app owned by Meta. From 8-person video calling and screen sharing capabilities to enhanced chat and user security, WhatsApp has enhanced the user experience.
Also: Make your WhatsApp chats even more private with secret codes.Here’s how to do it
WhatsApp is popular around the world because you can use the messaging app to contact family and friends in other countries without paying for international calling or messaging services.
10. Gmail – Email by Google
According to Mailchimp, nearly 37% of email addresses worldwide end in gmail.com, making Gmail one of the most popular email web clients. Gmail is easy to use and works on any device and operating system.
Also: Gmail’s new chat-like redesign on Android makes it easier to reply to all your emails
This year, we’re introducing many new features to Gmail, including emoji reactions and security enhancements. In typical 2023 fashion, a number of AI-powered features have been introduced to his Gmail, including Help Me Write, which uses AI to allow users to compose emails based on prompts.