Gemini Soars to App Store’s Top Spot After Nano Banana Image Model Launch

Gemini Soars to App Store’s Top Spot After Nano Banana Image Model Launch

Key Points

  • Nano Banana model launch drives a 45% month‑over‑month download increase.
  • Gemini reaches No. 1 on the U.S. App Store, pushing ChatGPT to No. 2.
  • September downloads hit 12.6 million, up from 8.7 million in August.
  • App climbs to No. 2 overall on Google Play in the United States.
  • 23 million first‑time users share over 500 million images since launch.
  • iOS revenue jumps to $1.6 million in August, a 1,291% rise from January.
  • Gemini appears in the top five iPhone apps across 108 countries.
  • Total downloads reach 185.4 million since the app’s debut.

Gemini tops the App Store thanks to new AI image model, Nano Banana
Content image from Gemini tops the App Store thanks to new AI image model, Nano Banana

Rapid Growth Fueled by Nano Banana

Since the August launch of the Nano Banana image‑editing model, Google’s Gemini app has experienced a surge in adoption. Users have praised the model for simplifying complex edits and producing realistic images, leading to a 45% month‑over‑month increase in downloads during September. The app recorded 12.6 million downloads in September, an increase from 8.7 million in August.

App Store Rankings

Prior to the Nano Banana release, Gemini’s highest position on the U.S. App Store was No. 3 on January 28, 2025. Shortly after the model’s debut, Gemini rose to No. 2 on September 8 and claimed the No. 1 spot on September 12, displacing OpenAI’s ChatGPT to second place. No other dedicated AI apps appear in the top ten of the App Store at this time.

Global Reach and Google Play Performance

Gemini has become one of the top five iPhone apps in 108 countries worldwide. On Google Play, the app leapt from No. 26 overall in the United States on September 8 to No. 2 overall, while ChatGPT remains the leader on the Android platform.

User Engagement and Revenue

Google Labs VP Josh Woodward reported that 23 million first‑time users have joined Gemini since the Nano Banana launch, collectively sharing over 500 million images. Financially, Gemini generated $6.3 million on iOS devices this year, with $1.6 million earned in August alone—a 1,291% increase from January’s $115,000. September revenue reached $792,000, roughly half of August’s total. To date, the app has been downloaded 103.7 million times this year and 185.4 million times since its September 2024 debut on Android and subsequent iOS expansion.

Source: techcrunch.com