ChatGPT Mobile App Growth Shows Signs of Cooling Down

Published: 18 Oct 2025

Recent data suggests that the surge in popularity for OpenAI’s ChatGPT mobile app may be tapering off. Analysis from app-intelligence firm Apptopia indicates that growth in both new downloads and daily use has slowed since mid-2025.

Slower Download Momentum

Apptopia’s report reveals that global download growth for ChatGPT has lagged since April, shifting from rapid upward trends toward a more stagnant pace. While the app still achieves millions of new installs each day, the rate of growth appears to be cooling.
Source: TechCrunch

Plateauing Daily Active Users

Alongside the slowdown in downloads, daily active user (DAU) growth has largely flattened in recent weeks, signaling that the app might be reaching a saturation point in some markets.
Source: TechCrunch

Declines in Engagement Metrics in the U.S.

In the United States, key engagement metrics have weakened further. Apptopia’s data shows that average time spent per user has dropped by about 22.5% since July, and average sessions per user are down roughly 20.7%.

These trends suggest that not only are users spending less time in the app, but they are also opening it less often. Despite this, churn rates appear to have stabilised, indicating that ChatGPT is retaining a core base of consistent users.
Source: TechCrunch

Competition and Product Shifts as Possible Factors

Several dynamics may be contributing to the slowdown:

Rising competition: For instance, Google’s Gemini has been gaining traction in the AI app space, potentially diverting attention from ChatGPT.
Model updates and tone changes: An April update aimed to make the chatbot less overly flattering, and the August release of GPT-5 has been described by some users as more formal and less personable.

Still, Apptopia notes that engagement had begun declining before Gemini’s rise, suggesting internal product shifts may also play a role.
Source: TechCrunch

What This Means Going Forward

The picture that emerges is one where ChatGPT is transitioning from viral growth mode into a steadier, more utilitarian phase. Instead of rapid expansion driven by curiosity, usage may now depend more on necessity and habitual need.

To reinvigorate momentum, OpenAI may need to lean more heavily on marketing efforts, feature innovation, and deeper product differentiation — just as other established mobile apps have done.
Related coverage: TipRanks, GuruFocus, Techi.com

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