In a striking development in the tech world, Elon Musk has turned his attention to Apple, accusing the tech giant of unfair practices regarding its App Store. Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, has expressed his frustration over the lack of visibility for his AI chatbot, Grok, in the App Store’s “Must-Have” section. Despite Grok’s growing popularity and impressive ratings among users, Musk argues that its exclusion from this prominent list not only limits its exposure but also favors competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, with whom he has a long-standing rivalry.

The tension between Musk and Apple escalated when he highlighted on his platform X that Grok, which currently ranks sixth in the “Top Free Apps” category in the U.S. App Store, is not receiving the same preferential treatment as ChatGPT, which consistently occupies the top spots. In a pointed message, Musk questioned whether Apple was “playing politics” by omitting Grok and his social media platform, X, from its coveted list of featured apps. He wrote, “Why do you refuse to include X or Grok in your ‘Must-Have’ section when X is the number one news app globally, and Grok is in the top five among all apps?” This statement underscores Musk’s belief that the omission constitutes a violation of antitrust regulations, claiming that Apple’s partnership with OpenAI—allowing for native integration of ChatGPT on iPhones, iPads, and Macs—gives an unfair advantage to his competitor.

Apple’s response was swift and assertive. The company defended the impartiality of its App Store, stating that apps are selected based on “objective criteria” and algorithms designed to ensure a safe and equitable experience for users. Apple emphasized its commitment to providing a platform that promotes “safe searching” and offers opportunities to developers, denying any bias toward ChatGPT. Additionally, Apple referenced its SEO efforts within the App Store, assuring that apps are ranked according to their performance, quality, and relevance to users, rather than through exclusive agreements. However, this explanation has not seemed to convince Musk, who has threatened legal action against Apple, accusing it of anticompetitive practices that harm both xAI and his social network, X.

This confrontation is not merely a personal dispute; it is part of a broader narrative involving the escalating competition in the artificial intelligence market. Grok, launched by xAI in November 2023, has rapidly gained traction due to its irreverent approach and ability to respond to questions directly, often sidestepping the restrictions imposed by other AI models on sensitive topics such as politics or religion. The latest version, Grok 4, released in July 2025, propelled the app to climb the App Store rankings, reaching fifth place in downloads after being offered for free. Despite this success, Grok has not managed to surpass ChatGPT, which Musk attributes to alleged favoritism by Apple.

Moreover, the rivalry between Musk and OpenAI adds a personal dimension to this dispute. Musk was one of the co-founders of OpenAI in 2015 but departed the organization in 2018 due to disagreements over its shift toward a profit-driven model. Since then, he has repeatedly criticized OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, accusing them of betraying the original mission of developing AI for the benefit of humanity. This tension intensified when Apple announced a partnership with OpenAI in June 2024 to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, a move Musk deemed “absurd” and which led him to threaten a ban on Apple devices in his companies.

In response to the conflict, Apple has maintained a measured yet firm stance. The company highlighted that its App Store operates on principles of transparency and fairness, asserting that editorial decisions are not influenced by political preferences or exclusive agreements. However, Musk’s accusations have reignited the debate over the control Apple exerts over its digital ecosystem, a topic that has faced scrutiny from regulators in the U.S. and Europe. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple for its dominance in the smartphone market, while the European Union imposed a €500 million fine for restrictive practices in the App Store.

As a legal battle looms, Musk’s case against Apple and OpenAI promises to be a pivotal moment in the regulation of digital platforms and the AI market. For Musk, this is not just a fight for Grok’s visibility; it is a crusade to ensure a level playing field in an industry he believes is crucial for the future of humanity. Meanwhile, App Store users continue to choose between Grok and ChatGPT, largely unaware of the power struggles unfolding behind the scenes. The question remains whether Musk’s accusations will resonate in court or if, as some analysts suggest, his criticisms reflect more personal frustration than a concrete violation of antitrust laws.

In conclusion, the ongoing feud between Elon Musk and Apple encapsulates the complexities of competition in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. As AI becomes increasingly integral to various industries, the outcome of this battle could set significant precedents for how digital platforms operate and regulate competing products. The stakes are high, not just for Musk and Apple, but for the future of innovation in artificial intelligence.