【Karen Foster Archives】

Brace yourselves. The Karen Foster Archives"best of" everything end-of-year lists are here.

With 2019 coming to a close, Apple released its list for this year's most downloaded iPhone apps. And ... it's not very different from last year. Taking the number one spot for the second year in a row is YouTube. Meanwhile, second and third place is again occupied by Instagram and Snapchat, respectively.

While the list isn't as extensive as 2018's — in fact, it's been cut down by half — here are the top ten freeiPhone apps downloaded in 2019, according to Apple:

1. YouTube

2. Instagram

3. Snapchat

4. TikTok

5. Messenger

6. Gmail

7. Netflix

8. Facebook

9. Google Maps

10. Amazon

None of the apps on this list come as a shock, either. It's highly uncommon that anyone you meet nowadays doesn't use at least one, if not all of themon a daily basis.

But what isimpressive is how high TikTok has jumped in just one year. Coming from spot number 16 on last year's list, the app is now at number four. That's also no surprise, though. Back in February, the viral video app hit one billion downloads and ranked #3 in Apple's App Store.

And, even though Instagram placed second on the list, it's clear the social media platform might be feeling a tad threatened by TikTok's rise. The company is currently testing its own video tool in Brazil, allowing users to create short 15-second clips, complete with music, that can be uploaded to their stories.

Who knows — maybe it'll be enough to keep Instagram in that top spot? Guess we'll have to wait until next year to find out.

As for paid apps, Facetune took the number one spot for the third year in a row while scheduling app, HotSchedules, took second, beating out special effects app kirakira+ from last year.

Apple tucked its top free iPhone games into a separate category. Fortnitewas knocked from the top spot by Mario Kart Tourand ranked number eight this year instead.

Here's the full list:

1. Mario Kart Tour

2. Color Bump 3D

3. aquapark.io

4. Call of Duty: Mobile

5. BitLife - Life Simulator

6. Polysphere - art of puzzle

7. Wordscapes

8. Fortnite

9. Roller Splat!

10. AMAZE!!

As for top paid iPhone games, Minecrafttakes the crown followed by Heads Up!and Plague Inc.

Apple also threw in its own top picks for 2019. Spectre Camera (Lux Optics), an AI-powered app that allows you to take long-exposure photos, took the title for Best iPhone app of the year. Meanwhile, Best iPhone Game of the Yeargoes to indie adventure gameSky: Children of the Light.