OpenAI's ChatGPT has been ranked No 1 on Apple's list of the most downloaded free iPhone apps of 2025 in the UAE, highlighting the rapidly growing adoption of generative artificial intelligence on mobile devices.
ChatGPT wrested the top spot from Chinese shopping platform Temu, which slid to seventh in this year's ranking, California-based Apple said in its year-end App Store assessment.
Google's Gemini was the only other AI app in the top 10, at sixth, with the main Google app clocking in at ninth.
The list remained dominated by social media platforms, including WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
Among paid apps, Shadowrocket, a proxy client service similar to a virtual private network, was No 1.
On Saturday, current top apps data on iOS - which among other factors considers app downloads, earnings, engagement, reviews and search term relevance - showed that ChatGPT was the fourth top app in the UAE, trailing Dubai Police, Google Gemini and delivery platform Keeta.
Several Arabic apps made it to the most downloaded iPhone apps of the year lists. Salatuk, an Islamic prayer timing service, was the sixth most-downloaded paid app, while trivia game Tarbaa was also No 6 among paid games.
On the iPad, ChatGPT was also the most downloaded free app in 2025, while Tarbaa was the 10th in paid games.
Apps have played a key role in Apple's strategy. They are part of its services unit that has been a steady revenue stream and complements its hardware sales, especially its flagship iPhone.
A big part of Apple's app ecosystem is its developer base, with industry estimates pegging its registered developers at about 30 million globally. The App Store churned an estimated $1.3 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2024, according to the latest Apple data.
The company also sees the Middle East as a high-potential market for developers, believing it will continue to hone more talent and contribute to the growth of start-ups and entrepreneurship, Apple vice president for environment, policy and social initiatives Lisa Jackson told The National.
And with the rise of generative AI, smartphone manufacturers have scrambled to incorporate the latest technologies to entice a wider consumer base. Apple teamed up with ChatGPT maker OpenAI last year and eventually launched Apple Intelligence, throwing its hat into the generative AI arena.
Earlier this month, Apple announced the 17 winners of its 2025 App Store Awards, with Tiimo, a task and planning assistant, named the iPhone's top app for the year.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
