Elon Musk is taking aim at Apple again — this time over how the App Store ranks search results. Musk’s AI company, xAI, says Apple is giving an unfair advantage to ChatGPT over xAI’s AI chatbot, Grok.
According to Musk, this bias is costing his company millions in lost downloads and hurting fair competition in the AI app market.
What Happened
The dispute started when users noticed that searching “AI chatbot” in the App Store often brings up OpenAI’s ChatGPT before xAI’s Grok — even if Grok is newer or more relevant for some users.
Musk says this is not just a coincidence but the result of Apple tweaking its search algorithm to promote certain apps. Apple, however, denies these claims and says its search rankings are based on “user relevance and quality metrics.”
Why Musk Is Angry
xAI launched Grok in 2024 as a direct competitor to ChatGPT. The app is known for having a more casual, witty tone — something Musk calls “fun AI with an edge.”
Musk says that despite Grok’s popularity among some users, it’s buried under competitors in search results. He claims this violates fair marketplace principles and may break U.S. antitrust laws.
Legal Action on the Table
Musk’s legal team has reportedly drafted a lawsuit accusing Apple of:
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Anti-competitive behavior
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Favoritism toward OpenAI (which Apple has a partnership with)
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Hurting consumer choice
If Musk files the suit, it could become one of the biggest tech legal battles of 2025.
Apple’s Response
Apple has responded by saying that its App Store is a fair marketplace and that ranking is determined by:
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User ratings
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Download numbers
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App quality and relevance
The company also noted that developers can use Apple’s tools to improve app visibility.
The Bigger AI Rivalry
This dispute is part of a bigger story — the race for dominance in the AI chatbot market.
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OpenAI’s ChatGPT: Known for accuracy, large user base, and a professional tone.
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xAI’s Grok: A Musk-backed AI known for humor and personality.
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Google’s Gemini: Focuses on integration with Google services.
Musk has criticized both OpenAI and Google in the past, calling them “too controlled” and “less open than they claim.”
Possible Impact on Users
If Musk wins the case, Apple might have to change how its App Store algorithm works. That could mean more variety in search results and better opportunities for smaller or newer apps to compete.
However, if Apple wins, it will likely keep its current system, and Musk’s Grok may still struggle for visibility against bigger names.
Experts Weigh In
Some technology and law experts say Musk has a point — app store algorithms can shape entire markets.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has previously warned about the lack of transparency in how Apple and Google rank apps.
Others think Musk is using the lawsuit threat more as a marketing tactic than a serious legal strategy. Public battles often boost downloads for the underdog app.
Musk’s History with Apple
This is not the first time Musk has clashed with Apple. In 2022, he accused Apple of threatening to remove Twitter (now X) from the App Store. That fight ended after a meeting between Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The current dispute shows that tensions between the two companies remain high — especially now that both are competing in the AI space.
Looking Ahead
Musk has not yet officially filed the lawsuit, but his comments suggest he’s serious. Whether or not this case makes it to court, it highlights the growing tension between big tech companies as they fight for control of the fast-growing AI market.
With AI adoption expected to skyrocket in the next few years, every download — and every search ranking — matters.
Further Reading and Sources