Apple Reveals the Most Downloaded iOS Apps and Games of 2021

Along with naming its editorial picks for the top apps and games of 2021, Apple today shared charts for the most downloaded free and paid apps and games in the United States across 2021.

apple top apps games 2020
The number one most downloaded free iPhone app was TikTok, followed by YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. The top paid iPhone apps included Procreate Pocket, HotSchedules, The Wonder Weeks, and TouchRetouch.

Popular free iPad apps included Netflix, Disney+, and Zoom, while GoodNotes 5, Notability, Duet Display, and Procreate were popular paid iPad apps.

Top games on iPhone and iPad included Among Us!, Roblox, Project Makeover, Minecraft, and Heads Up. Apple this year also highlighted the top Apple Arcade games, which included The Oregon Trail, NBA 2K21, and Sneaky Sasquatch. Apple's top 10 lists for each category are listed below.

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Apple Arcade

Top Apple Arcade Games:

The top charts can also be viewed in the Today section of the App Store on the iPhone and the iPad.

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Top Rated Comments

makitango Avatar
53 months ago
Congratulations TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Youtube and Facebook. What a time to live in and have our lives enriched.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Doug0915 Avatar
53 months ago
How about the top apps and games that are totally without in app purchasing?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iceman314 Avatar
53 months ago
In my iPhone I have only 1 of the 10 top free apps… probably I am too old ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VintageDude Avatar
53 months ago
Congratulations Procreate. Well deserved!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iDento Avatar
53 months ago

Congratulations TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Youtube and Facebook. What a time to live in and have our lives enriched.
Sarcasm?!! Because TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook enriched my life a bit but ruined it in way more ways.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
53 months ago
Woo Hoo! Congratulations to all well-deserving developers.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)