2020 will be the number we say when we refer to “that year” – I don’t think that will ever wear off, and our use of technology has defined the year which is directly reflected in Apple’s App Store charts for 2020.

Every part of the top 20 free and much of the top 20 paid app list paint a picture of 2020 – the year we’ll all want to forget.

Top of the charts overall is the Federal Government’s COVIDsafe app – a great result for a Government app.

In second place is ZOOM – the word we all use now to define a video call or meeting and a service that is probably the big tech story of 2020.

Social Media service TikTok boomed – heck, even I’m on there. And early in the pandemic Housparty kept us connected.

That top 4 alone is a snapshot but then consider the National Coronavirus Australia stats app is at #6, WhatsApp #8 with an increase in online chat and even government info via WhatsApp likely to have driven that.

Uber Eats and Maccas food apps popped into the top 20 because hey, lockdown and social distancing folks!

In a sign of how well adopted the latest iPhone operating system iOS14 is – an app called Widgetsmith hit #20 – and Widgets only started a mere couple of months ago.

If you’re looking for a game to play over the summer break, take the lead from the charts, where Among Us topped the billing as the top free iPhone game of 2020.

Here’s the top charts from Apple’s App Store for 2020.

Top Free iPhone Apps

  1. COVIDSafe
  2. ZOOM
  3. TikTok
  4. Houseparty
  5. Instagram
  6. Coronavirus Australia
  7. Disney+
  8. WhatsApp Messenger
  9. Messenger
  10. YouTube
  11. Spotify
  12. Snapchat
  13. Facebook
  14. Netflix
  15. GMail 
  16. Google Maps
  17. Uber Eats
  18. MyMacca’s Ordering & Offers
  19. Microsoft Teams
  20. Widgetsmith

Top Paid iPhone Apps

  1. WikiCamps Australia
  2. The Wonder Weeks
  3. Sezzy Timer
  4. Procreate Pocket
  5. TripView – Sydney & Melbourne
  6. TouchRetouch
  7. Forest – Stay focused
  8. Monash University FODMAP diet
  9. AutoSleep Track Sleep on Watch
  10. Rain Parrot
  11. Facetune
  12. Pocket Secure
  13. The Resilience Project
  14. VIC Fires
  15. QLD Fires
  16. SkyView
  17. MusicView
  18. Mirror for Samsung TV
  19. Shadowrocket
  20. Sky Guide

Top Apple Arcade Games

  1. Sonic Racing
  2. Skate City
  3. Hot Lava
  4. PAC-MAN Party Royale
  5. Oceanhorn 2
  6. Sneaky Sasquatch
  7. WHAT THE GOLF?
  8. LEGO Brawls
  9. Crossy Road Castle
  10. Outlanders
  11. Frogger in Toy Town
  12. Mini Motorways
  13. SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit
  14. LEGO Builder’s Journey
  15. Rayman Mini
  16. Spyder
  17. Butter Royale
  18. tint.
  19. Patterned
  20. Speed Demons

Top Free iPhone Games

  1. Among Us!
  2. Subway Surfers
  3. Brain Out
  4. Call of Duty: Mobile
  5. Woodturning 3D
  6. Brain Test: Tricky Puzzles
  7. Roblox
  8. Tangle Master 3D
  9. Fishdom
  10. Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
  11. Ink Inc. – Tattoo Drawing
  12. Mario Kart Tour
  13. Cube Surfer!
  14. 8 Ball Pool
  15. Homescapes
  16. Park Master
  17. BitLife – Life Simulator
  18. Draw Climber
  19. Gardenscapes
  20. UNO

Top Paid iPhone Apps

  1. Minecraft
  2. Plague Inc.
  3. Monopoly
  4. Heads Up! – Trivia on the go
  5. Bloons TD 6
  6. True Skate
  7. Geometry Dash
  8. Bloons TD 5
  9. Cluedo: The Official Edition
  10. Terraria
  11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
  12. Papa’s Freezeria To Go!
  13. Farming Simulator 20
  14. Rebel Inc.
  15. NBA 2K20
  16. Pocket Build
  17. Stardew Valley
  18. Exploding Kittens
  19. Earn to Die 2
  20. The Chase Australia