Elon Musk’s xAI’s conversational AI, Grok, grew at the fastest rate among AI apps between June and July 2025. Google Play data revealed a startling 29.43% increase in active users month over month, outpacing all other major GenAI apps. Furthermore, Grok was oddly left out of the Apple Store’s popular AI category.
Therefore, despite this increase, competitors like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot were included. This omission has generated controversy and brought back Musk’s earlier allegations of unjust treatment of his businesses.
Grok Dominates the Race in AI App Growth
Google Play data shows that Grok’s user base expanded almost twice as quickly as Perplexity, its closest competitor. Grok topped the growth chart with 29.43%, significantly higher than Perplexity’s 13.77% and ChatGPT’s 6.21%.
Thus, while Google Gemini and DeepSeek saw decreases, other well-known GenAI apps, such as Claude, saw only 3.08% growth. Additionally, the data indicates that Grok is becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, it is all the more shocking that it was left off of the Apple Store’s carefully curated AI list.
Apple Store Misses Out on Fastest-Growing AI App
A promoted list of AI-powered apps can be seen in screenshots taken from the “Helpful Tools” section of the Apple Store. Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Lightroom, Canva, Duolingo, and ChatGPT were all part of this featured lineup. It’s also noteworthy that Grok, the obvious leader in AI app growth, was absent.
Many people have speculated that the omission may be intentional, and there has been a lot of online discussion about it. The chart’s strong visual, showing Grok’s red-circled dominance, contrasted sharply with Apple’s featured list. As a result, this contrast has raised awareness of selective visibility on social media.
Grok was more than 15 percentage points ahead of the second-fastest-growing AI platform. Given this disparity, some analysts contend that oversight is not the only reason it was not included in Apple Store promotions. However, some speculate that it could be because of business or policy-related reasons that Apple hasn’t yet revealed.
What Lies Ahead for Grok’s AI Journey?
Grok’s rapid climb among GenAI apps suggests that its market share will likely continue expanding in the near term. It may have an effect on iOS adoption rates if the Apple Store adds it to future curated sections.
Additionally, xAI might look into different marketing to keep up the momentum if Apple sticks to its current course. Grok’s growth trajectory is still strong for the time being, whether or not Apple formally promotes him.
Grok Fights on Despite AI App Growth Excuse
The Grok story reveals an uncommon discrepancy between platform promotion and market performance. Additionally, Grok is not listed among the Apple Store’s highlighted AI recommendations, even though it leads the market for AI apps. The disparity between Google Play’s growth statistics and Apple’s meticulously curated list creates visibility bias in the app market.
Therefore, Grok could help allay feelings of unfair treatment if Apple decides to include him in upcoming updates. The argument over whether this is a coincidence or a deliberate omission will go on until then. App store listings may tell a different story than the numbers do for users.
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