# DeepSeek AI Assistant

> A free AI assistant reached an estimated 127 million app downloads by June.

- Owner: DeepSeek
- Kind: App & software
- Sector: Technology
- Seed date: 2025-01-10
- Peak date: 2025-01-28
- Spread Score: 58 (Notable), v1.2
- Mechanics: Underdog, Platform jump, Press loop, Controversy, Pairing, Dupe economy

## Summary

DeepSeek launched its app on January 10 and R1 on January 20. VC posts and press accompanied its US app-chart lead on January 26. Nvidia lost $593 billion the next day. Sign-up limits and privacy scrutiny followed; Sensor Tower estimated 127 million downloads by June.

## Timeline

- 2024-12-26 — @deepseek_ai (X) — DeepSeek introduced V3, the model that powered the app at launch.
- 2025-01-10 — DeepSeek (App stores) — DeepSeek released its free AI Assistant app on iOS and Android.
- 2025-01-15 — DeepSeek (Open web) — DeepSeek announced the app with web search, Deep-Think mode and no in-app purchases.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/deepseek-ai-assistant

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “DeepSeek AI Assistant.” Case HIS-00115. Spread Score v1.2: 58/100. Updated 2026-10-13. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-00115