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A showcase of the 17 standout apps and games Apple honored in the 2025 App Store Awards, highlighting innovation, design, and cultural impact across every platform.
Apple has officially announced the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards, recognizing 17 standout apps and games across its platforms. The winners were hand-selected by App Store editors from 45 finalists for innovation, design quality, and cultural impact. The announcement was made on December 4, 2025, through Apple’s official press release.
Apple says the winners represent what the App Store stands for in 2025. Tools powered by AI, immersive Vision Pro experiences, inclusive streaming features, cozy storytelling games, and apps that help people stay focused, learn, and build communities.
Apple highlights one app per platform. These apps show how developers use each device’s strengths, from immersive video to AI writing tools.
| Category | Winner | Developer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App of the Year | Tiimo | tiimo | Visual planner with AI that turns goals into daily tasks |
| iPad App of the Year | Detail | Detail Technologies B.V. | AI video editing tool for creators on iPad |
| Mac App of the Year | Essayist | Essayist Software Inc. | AI powered academic writing and formatting |
| Apple Vision Pro App of the Year | Explore POV | James Hustler | Immersive travel using Apple Immersive Video |
| Apple Watch App of the Year | Strava | Strava Inc. | Fitness tracking with live segments and social features |
| Apple TV App of the Year | HBO Max | WarnerMedia | Streaming with ASL support and wide content library |
Game winners deliver strong gameplay designed for each device. From trading card battles to spatial puzzles, Apple highlights varied experiences this year.
| Category | Winner | Developer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Game of the Year | Pokémon TCG Pocket | The Pokémon Company | Fast digital card battles with strong art direction |
| iPad Game of the Year | DREDGE | Black Salt Games | Cozy fishing adventure mixed with mystery |
| Mac Game of the Year | Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition | CD PROJEKT S.A. | Futuristic open world RPG optimized for Apple Silicon |
| Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year | Porta Nubi | Michael Temper | Spatial puzzle experience built for Vision Pro |
| Apple Arcade Game of the Year | WHAT THE CLASH? | Triband ApS | Comedy strategy game with absurd battle rules |
App Store editors selected six titles for positive impact. These apps and games focus on accessibility, culture, language, and community support.
| App | Developer | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Art of Fauna | Klemens Strasser | Wildlife illustration puzzles designed for accessibility |
| Chants of Sennaar | Playdigious | Adventure celebrating language and cultural discovery |
| despelote | Panic Inc. | Slice of life story reflecting Ecuador’s culture through football |
| Be My Eyes | Be My Eyes | Visual assistance app with AI and global volunteers |
| Focus Friend by Hank Green | B Tech Consulting Group | Gamified focus sessions with reward loops |
| StoryGraph | The StoryGraph | Book discovery platform supporting diverse authors |
Apple says the App Store remains the best place to discover apps built for its ecosystem. The winners reflect what matters most in this phase:
The awards show how developers are using Apple’s platforms to deliver new ideas rather than just porting existing products.
Apple shared all details through its official newsroom on December 4, 2025.