--- description: Apple has revealed the most downloaded iPhone apps of 2016, which include Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, and Pokémon Go among others title: These Are the Most Popular iPhone Apps of 2016 image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfcebaa425152d788/69877d27cd1bba0dc36f5015/apple-productivity-apps.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) ## Tech Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # These Are the Most Popular iPhone Apps of 2016  by [Lisa Eadicicco](/author/lisa-eadicicco/)  ## Lisa Eadicicco Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Dec 7, 2016 2:00 AM CUT  A shopper tries out the new Apple iPhone 6 at the Apple Store on the first day of sales of the new phone on Sept. 19, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. A shopper tries out the new Apple iPhone 6 at the Apple Store on the first day of sales of the new phone on Sept. 19, 2014 in Berlin, Germany.Sean Gallup—Getty Images  by [Lisa Eadicicco](/author/lisa-eadicicco/)  ## Lisa Eadicicco Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Dec 7, 2016 2:00 AM CUT Of the two million apps that currently inhabit the App Store, Apple has singled out 20 that have proven to be the most popular in 2016\. The company just published its annual best of the year lists, which include a compilation of the top 10 free and paid apps that dominated the App Store this year. The most-downloaded free iPhone app in 2016 is Snapchat, which moved up from number five on [last year’s list](http://mashable.com/2015/12/09/apple-best-ios-apps-2015/#dOvlwS%5FSmkqZ "undefined") and is replacing _Trivia Crack_ in the number one slot. Facebook Messenger remained the second most-downloaded app, while _Pokémon Go_ was the third, taking Dubsmash’s spot from 2015. Both Snapchat and Facebook Messenger saw significant changes and updates throughout the year. Snap Inc. just released Spectacles, smart camera glasses that connect to your phone to send first-person disappearing images and video. The company added new filters, 3D stickers, other updates to its Snapchat app this year as well. Facebook Messenger, meanwhile, saw the rollout of chat bots and integrations with more third party apps and games in 2016. _Pokémon Go_ quickly became a smash hit after it launched this past July, [becoming bigger](http://time.com/4400815/pokemon-go-nintendo-niantic/ "undefined") than Tinder and nearly surpassing Twitter’s daily active user count within days of its launch. _Heads Up!_ and _Minecraft Pocket Edition_ remain among the most popular paid apps of the year. Here are the most downloaded free and paid iPhone apps of 2016. **Top Free iPhone Apps** [Snapchat](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/snapchat/id447188370?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Messenger](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/messenger/id454638411?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Pokémon GO](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Instagram](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instagram/id389801252?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Facebook](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/facebook/id284882215?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [YouTube](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/youtube-watch-share-videos/id544007664?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Google](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-maps-navigation-transit/id585027354?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Maps](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-maps-navigation-transit/id585027354?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Pandora](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pandora-free-music-radio/id284035177?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Netflix](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/netflix/id363590051?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Spotify Music](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spotify-music/id324684580?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") **Top Paid iPhone Apps** [Heads Up!](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/heads-up!/id623592465?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Face Swap Live](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/face-swap-live/id1042987645?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Minecraft: Pocket Edition](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-pocket-edition/id479516143?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Facetune](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/facetune/id606310581?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [KIMOJI](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kimoji/id1068019093?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [7 Minute Workout Challenge](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/7-minute-workout-challenge/id680170305?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Geometry Dash](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geometry-dash/id625334537?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Plague Inc.](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plague-inc./id525818839?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Akinator the Genie](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/akinator-the-genie/id484090401?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") [Bloons TD 5](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloons-td-5/id563718995?mt=8&at=1000lsPY&ct=TMmostpopulariphoneapps2016 "undefined") ```json 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