Claude overtakes ChatGPT in App Store as users switch amid Pentagon controversy
41 Sources
[1]
Users are ditching ChatGPT for Claude. Here's how to make the switch | TechCrunch
Many users are switching to Claude following a string of controversies surrounding ChatGPT and its parent company, OpenAI. The tipping point came after Anthropic, the company behind Claude, refused to allow the Department of Defense to use its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully
[2]
Anthropic's Claude rises to No. 2 in the App Store following Pentagon dispute | TechCrunch
Anthropic's chatbot Claude seems to have benefited from the attention around the company's fraught negotiations with the Pentagon. As first reported by CNBC, as of Saturday afternoon, Claude is currently ranked number two among free apps in Apple's US App Store -- the number one app is OpenAI's
[3]
Ditching ChatGPT for Claude AI just got much easier - how to import your memories
Claude AI now lets you copy memories from another AI service.The goal is to help you easily switch to Claude.The process uses instructions that you can copy and paste. Many AIs offer a memory feature through which they can gather and store details about you, either through your conversations or
[4]
Anthropic upgrades Claude's memory to attract AI switchers
Anthropic is making it easier to switch to its Claude AI from other chatbots with an update that brings Claude's memory feature to users on the free plan, along with a new prompt and dedicated tool for importing data from other chatbots. These upgrades could allow users who have been using rivals
[5]
Anthropic's Claude AI Takes Apple App Store Top Spot, Dethrones ChatGPT
Claude by Anthropic is the most downloaded app on iPhone over the last few days, knocking OpenAI's ChatGPT from the top spot. The change comes after a publicized battle between Anthropic and the Department of Defense, which sparked greater public interest in Claude's AI tools. As spotted by CNBC,
[6]
Anthropic Tries to Win Users From ChatGPT With Memory Feature
Anthropic PBC's artificial intelligence chatbot Claude will be able to recall context across conversations for free users, as the company seeks to hang on to new consumers who have created "unprecedented demand" the past few days. The memory feature, which had been available to paid subscribers,
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Anthropic brings memory to Claude's free plan
Anthropic is bringing another paid feature to Claude's free tier. The next time you chat with Claude, you'll have the option to have it reference your previous conversation to inform its outputs. Anthropic first made its chatbot capable of remembering past interactions last August, before giving it
[8]
Anthropic's Claude hits No. 2 on Apple's top free apps list after Pentagon rejection
Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence assistant app jumped to the No. 2 slot on Apple's chart of top U.S. free apps late on Friday, hours after the Trump administration sought to block government agencies' adoption of the startup's technology. The rise in popularity suggests that Anthropic is
[9]
Claude is the top free app on iPhone right now, and the Pentagon drama is basically why
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Ripple effect: Anthropic has been all over the news lately for refusing to let the US military use its technology for autonomous weapons and surveillance. That decision may have cost the company a
[10]
Anthropic Improves Feature to Switch From Competitors as Users Call for ChatGPT Boycott
The updated feature makes importing preferences and context from other LLMs easier as Claude climbs the app charts. Anthropic just updated a tool that lets users import preferences and memory from rival chatbots, as a dispute with the U.S. military helped push Claude to the top of the app
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Anthropic's Claude can now absorb your past conversations with other AI chatbots
Anthropic has made switching to its Claude AI chatbot easier than ever. The company announced a new memory import tool that can extract all of a competing AI chatbot's memories and context of you into a text prompt that can be fed into Claude. With Anthropic's prompt, you can then copy and paste
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Claude AI now remembers chats and interactions for free users
Users maintain full control over their stored memories, with options to pause, save, or delete conversation data from Anthropic's servers at any time. Anthropic is now making the memory feature in its AI chatbot Claude available to free users as well, Engadget reports. The feature allows Claude to
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Free Claude users can now use memory and import context from rivals - 9to5Mac
Anthropic is taking advantage of Claude's recent increase in mindshare with a new memory import tool to encourage switching from competing AI chatbot systems. Claude's memory feature is also available for free tier users for the first time after launching last summer. "Memory is now available on
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Anthropic Adds Free Memory Feature and Import Tool to Lure ChatGPT Users to Claude
Anthropic is aiming to lure customers from ChatGPT and Gemini with a new memory import tool that's available to free users as of today. Conversations and memories from other AI providers can be imported into Claude, so new users will not need to start from scratch. Users can import preferences and
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Claude hits No. 1 on the App Store as users flee ChatGPT over OpenAI's 'Department of War' deal
Claude just overtook ChatGPT on the App Store -- here's what's driving the shift TL;DR: Anthropic's Claude has climbed to the No. 1 spot in Apple's U.S. App Store, overtaking ChatGPT amid growing scrutiny of AI ethics, government partnerships and data safeguards. The shift suggests users are
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Claude is the Number 2 Free App in Apple’s App Store Now
In your lifetime, you have no doubt witnessed backlashes, cancellations, and the Streisand Effect. You have seen social media sites become bad, and alternatives crop up and become bad themselves. You have seen Chick Fil-A protested for too much homophobia, and later for not enough homophobia.
[17]
Claude just got a vital free upgrade to help it take on ChatGPT -- it'll now remember conversations for all users. Here's why that matters
Making conversational memory available for everyone helps Claude become more practical to use * Claude's free users now get full conversational memory * The AI will remember details across chats regardless of subscription tier * The upgrade makes long-term planning and everyday tasks
[18]
Anthropic's AI model Claude gets popularity boost after US military feud
Claude climbs to top of app store charts in US and UK after being blacklisted by the Pentagon over ethics concerns The AI model Claude has surged in popularity after being blacklisted by the Pentagon last week over ethics concerns. Claude climbed to the number one spot on Apple's chart of top
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Anthropic's Claude overtakes ChatGPT as #1 in App Store
In the battle for AI supremacy, Anthropic's Claude has just managed to dethrone OpenAI's ChatGPT in Apple's App Store, claiming the #1 spot as the most-downloaded free app in the United States, leaving ChatGPT in second and Google's Gemini a distant fourth. This sudden surge in the rankings is
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Anthropic got blacklisted by the Pentagon. Then Claude hit No. 1 in the app store.
Why it matters: The long-term business impact for Anthropic remains unclear. But in the short term, the clash has fueled interest in Claude, as some social media users call for dumping ChatGPT over OpenAI's deal with the Pentagon. Catch up quick: Anthropic lost its Pentagon contract Friday over a
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Claude makes its AI memory feature free for all users in battle against ChatGPT
Free users finally get context-aware conversations, plus a way to bring their old AI chats with them. Claude is having a resurgence of sorts in 2026. The Claude app on iOS has just taken the number one spot in the United States and is now a top-10 productivity app on iOS in over 100 countries. To
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Anthropic's Claude overtakes ChatGPT in App Store as users boycott over OpenAI's $200 million Pentagon contract | Fortune
OpenAI replaced Anthropic on a Pentagon deal worth up to $200 million, but in doing so, it may have handed its biggest rival a victory by pushing them to the top of the App Store. Anthropic's Claude climbed to the No. 1 spot on Apple's App Store over the weekend, dethroning ChatGPT just days after
[23]
Claude jumps to top of Apple's App Store amid OpenAI backlash
For a technology that sells itself as frictionless, switching chatbots has suddenly become a full-contact sport. Over the weekend, "Cancel ChatGPT" and "DeleteGPT" and "QuitGPT" posts started ricocheting around social media -- and by Monday, Anthropic's Claude had climbed to No. 1 on Apple $AAPL's
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Anthropic's Claude grabs top spot in App Store after Trump's ban
Anthropic may have lost out on doing business with the US government, but it's gained enough popularity to earn the number one spot on the App Store's Top Free Apps leaderboard. At the top, Claude beat out both ChatGPT and Google Gemini, which respectively sit at the second and third spots on
[25]
Claude can now import chat histories from ChatGPT (and other AIs)
The imported memories take approximately 24 hours for Claude to absorb, and users can view and adjust these saved conversations afterward. Anthropic has released a new Import Memory tool that lets you "switch to Claude without starting over." In short, this new tool makes it extremely easy to
[26]
Claude hits #1 on the App Store as users rally behind Anthropic's government standoff - 9to5Mac
AI chatbots currently take up the top three spots on the US App Store's Top Downloaded charts. For Anthropic's Claude, which takes the first-place position right now, that's a jump from 42nd place just two months ago. OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini are currently the second and third top
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You Can Now Import Your ChatGPT Data to Claude for Free
Users can also import memories from other chatbots into Claude Anthropic is taking steps to make it easier to switch to Claude. While the AI chatbot app is popular among developers and vibecoders, it's also been infamous for keeping its more advanced features behind a paywall (and for
[28]
Claude is topping the App Store charts thanks to 'cancel ChatGPT' trend -- but the US military is finding it hard to quit
* Claude has hit number one on the US Apple App Store chart * It's linked to anger over ChatGPT's deal with the US military * Claude continues to be used inside various US government agencies It seems that AI chatbot Claude is gaining a substantial number of new users in the wake of developer
[29]
Switching to Anthropic? Claude can now take your memories from ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot
Anthropic has announced a new "memory" tool that allows Claude users to copy over their chats from other AI chatbots, giving those who want to switch over from ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot an easy way. The new memory tool is available to paid Claude subscribers only and enables them to import
[30]
Anthropic makes switching from competitors easier with new transfer memory tool - SiliconANGLE
Anthropic makes switching from competitors easier with new transfer memory tool As Anthropic PBC's Claude chatbot moves to the top of the app charts after a spat with the Trump administration, the company has introduced a memory import feature that will allow new customers to import their
[31]
Claude just beat ChatGPT on the App Store, and the reason is surprising
Public perception and geopolitics are suddenly part of the AI leaderboard. Anthropic's Claude has surged past ChatGPT on the App Store charts, marking one of the most dramatic shakeups yet in the consumer AI race. As reported first by CNBC, Claude jumped to the top download spots shortly after
[32]
Anthropic makes Claude memory feature free for all users
Anthropic announced that Claude's memory feature is now available for free tier users and introduced a new tool to import context from competing AI chatbots. The company stated that the memory import tool encourages users to switch from other systems by allowing them to export stored data. This
[33]
How to Switch From ChatGPT to Claude With Just One Simple Prompt
Following Anthropic's stand off with the United States Department of War, President Trump's subsequent firing of Claude from government use, and OpenAI's surprise deal with the Pentagon, individual users are dumping ChatGPT and flocking to Claude. On Saturday, the Claude mobile app rose to the top
[34]
Claude climbs App Store charts as #QuitGPT movement gains steam
Sam Hill is a journalist living in Portland, Oregon. He's dabbled in many industries, previously writing about commercial fishing, the drone industry, aquaculture, video games, and internet culture. He moved from New England to the Pacific Northwest in 2019 to escape the snow and fell in love with
[35]
Claude takes top App Store spot after ChatGPT users shift
Anthropic launched a new memory import tool for its Claude AI chatbot. The tool extracts memories and context from competing AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. Users can copy and paste the extracted data into a prompt for Claude to assimilate. This feature significantly lowers
[36]
Anthropic's Claude chatbot climbs to no.1 on Apple's US App Store amid Pentagon contract row - The Economic Times
Anthropic's chatbot Claude has surged to the number one spot in the free app rankings on the US Apple App Store. On Saturday evening, it moved ahead of OpenAI's ChatGPT to take the position, where it remains. Figures from digital market intelligence platform Sensor Tower show that at the end of
[37]
Anthropic's Claude tops app charts after Pentagon blacklist
The AI chatbot Claude has surged to the top of app store rankings in the US after being blacklisted by the Pentagon. Developed by Anthropic, Claude climbed to No. 1 among free iPhone apps in the United States, overtaking ChatGPT, after the Defense Department moved to cut ties with the company. For
[38]
Claude Hits #1 on App Store As 'Cancel ChatGPT' Trends Over OpenAI's Pentagon Deal
Meanwhile, OpenAI, the ChatGPT maker has signed a deal with the DoD, which has triggered "Cancel ChatGPT" backlash. Anthropic's Claude AI has climbed to the top spot on Apple's US App Store, overtaking OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. This surge in downloads came after Anthropic refused the
[39]
Anthropic's Claude Tops Apple App Store Charts Day After Trump Administration Bars Agency Use - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)
Anthropic's Claude AI assistant app has climbed to the number one spot on Apple's App Store charts in the U.S. amid a backdrop of political controversy. Claude's Rise Amid Controversy Anthropic's Claude AI assistant app surged to the top position on Apple's free apps chart in the U.S. on
[40]
Anthropic's Claude now lets you transfer AI chat histories from rivals, here's how
It may take up to 24 hours for Claude to fully absorb and apply the imported data. Anthropic has introduced a new feature for its Claude AI chatbot that makes switching from other AI services much easier. The company has launched a memory import tool that allows users to bring over their saved
[41]
Anthropic's Claude beats OpenAI ChatGPT on App Store charts: Check complete details
Record users show trust and public opinion affect AI app popularity. Anthropic's Claude has climbed to the top of the ladder at Apple's US App Store, overtaking OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. The change in rankings comes after days of heated debate over how artificial intelligence companies
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Anthropic's Claude has claimed the top spot in Apple's US App Store, dethroning ChatGPT after a high-profile dispute with the Pentagon. Free users have jumped by more than 60% since January, and paid subscribers have doubled this year. The shift follows Anthropic's refusal to allow the Department of Defense to use its AI models for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.
Claude Surges Past ChatGPT in App Store Rankings
Anthropic's Claude has overtaken ChatGPT to claim the number one position among free apps in Apple's US App Store, marking a significant shift in AI chatbot competition
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. According to data from SensorTower, Claude was just outside the top 100 at the end of January, then climbed throughout February from sixth place on Wednesday to second on Saturday before ultimately taking the top spot2
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. The dramatic rise pushed ChatGPT to second place and Google Gemini to third5
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Source: Engadget
According to Anthropic, daily signups have hit record highs, with free users jumping by more than 60% since January and paid subscribers more than doubling this year
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. The app is also gaining momentum on Android, where it currently sits in position seven5
.Pentagon Dispute Drives User Migration
The surge in switching from ChatGPT to Claude follows a high-profile Pentagon dispute that brought the ethical use of AI models into sharp focus
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. Anthropic refused to allow the Department of Defense to use its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, drawing what the company called "red lines" around these applications4
. In response, President Donald Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's products, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to designate the company a supply-chain threat1
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Source: Benzinga
Hours later, OpenAI announced its own agreement with the Pentagon. CEO Sam Altman claimed the deal includes safeguards related to mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, stating that "AI safety and wide distribution of benefits are the core of our mission"
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. However, the agreement has sparked widespread debate over data privacy and AI guardrails1
.In a statement on February 27, Anthropic said, "We are deeply saddened by these developments. As the first frontier AI company to deploy models in the US government's classified networks, Anthropic has supported American warfighters since June 2024 and has every intention of continuing to do so"
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.Claude Memory Import Feature Makes Switching Seamless
Timing the shift perfectly, Anthropic introduced upgrades to its Claude memory import feature that make the transition from other AI chatbots substantially easier
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. The memory feature, previously available only to paid subscribers, is now accessible to all Claude users on free plans4
. Users can activate it by navigating to Settings, then Capabilities3
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Source: Engadget
The new tool provides a pre-written prompt that users can copy into their previous AI service to extract stored memories and preferences
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. The prompt instructs the AI to list every memory it has stored, including personal details, instructions about response style, projects, goals, and recurring topics3
. Users can then review and edit this information before pasting it into Claude's importing tool3
.For those looking to transfer data from ChatGPT, the process involves accessing Settings, then Personalization to review stored information in the Memory section
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. Alternatively, users can export their entire chat history by selecting Data Controls and choosing "Export Data," which compiles chat records into text or JSON files1
. The option to import and export memories from Claude has been available since October, but the new dedicated tool and expanded access signal Anthropic's intent to capture users seeking alternatives4
.Related Stories
What This Means for AI Competition
The shift in App Store ranking reflects growing concern among users about how AI companies approach AI safety and government partnerships. Anthropic's public stance on ethical boundaries may resonate with users who prioritize transparency in how their data and AI tools are deployed. The company has also been gaining attention for tools like Claude Code and Claude Cowork, along with its new Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6 models, which offer improved coding capabilities and complex task completion
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.For OpenAI, the challenge extends beyond this immediate controversy. While Sam Altman emphasized that the Pentagon agreement includes prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and maintains human responsibility for the use of force, the optics of the timing have fueled a #QuitGPT campaign
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. The long-term implications will depend on whether users view these government partnerships as necessary national security measures or as compromises on AI safety principles.As the AI landscape continues to shift, watch for how other major players like Google Gemini position themselves on similar ethical questions. The ease of switching between AI chatbots—now enhanced by memory import tools—means user loyalty may prove more fluid than tech companies anticipated. Anthropic's aggressive advertising, including a Super Bowl spot, combined with this controversy-driven momentum, suggests the company is positioning itself as the ethical alternative in an increasingly crowded market
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