Apple has announced the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards, recognising 17 apps and games for their technical innovation, outstanding user experience, and cultural impact. Selected from 45 finalists by App Store editors, the winners demonstrate creativity, design excellence, and immersive experiences across devices. The awards celebrate apps and games that empower users, bring ideas to life, and deliver remarkable experiences.

Spotlight on Apps

iPhone App of the Year: Tiimo

Tiimo impressed users with its AI-driven visual planner. It helps people transform goals into actionable steps. The app also allows users to manage schedules more efficiently, making everyday planning easier.

iPad App of the Year: Detail

Detail simplifies video editing on iPad. It makes complex workflows accessible for both aspiring and professional creators. Intuitive tools help users focus on creativity rather than technical hurdles.

Mac App of the Year: Essayist

Essayist uses AI to streamline academic writing. Formatting tasks are automated, allowing users to concentrate on content creation. This reduces time spent on tedious technical work.

Apple Vision Pro App of the Year: Explore POV

Explore POV delivers immersive experiences on Apple Vision Pro. It transports users to breathtaking locations worldwide. The app showcases the potential of Apple Immersive Video while offering visually stunning content.

Apple Watch App of the Year: Strava

Strava connects a community of 180 million athletes across 185 countries. It supports 50 sports, with running and walking being the most popular. The redesigned Apple Watch app emphasizes intuitive tracking and real-time updates. Women are more active than men on the platform, demonstrating its broad appeal.

Apple TV App of the Year: HBO Max

HBO Max expanded accessibility with American Sign Language options. It also offers a wide variety of shows and movies. The platform ensures that entertainment is inclusive for all viewers.

Leading the Gaming Scene

iPhone Game of the Year: Pokémon TCG Pocket

Pokémon TCG Pocket transformed Pokémon card battles into a digital experience. This contributed to over 70 million downloads.

iPad Game of the Year: DREDGE

DREDGE offers a cozy yet eerie fishing adventure. It combines relaxing gameplay with a subtle narrative mystery, providing iPad players with a unique and captivating experience.

Mac Game of the Year: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

Cyberpunk 2077 immerses players in a futuristic metropolis. Richly detailed environments and storytelling push the boundaries of Mac gaming, delivering an ambitious sci-fi experience.

Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year: Porta Nubi

Porta Nubi transforms player surroundings into immersive puzzle environments. It fully leverages Apple Vision Pro’s spatial capabilities for atmospheric and interactive gameplay.

Apple Arcade Game of the Year: WHAT THE CLASH?

WHAT THE CLASH? offers fast-paced, humorous competitions. The game engages players with unexpected challenges and interactive gameplay.

Apps and Games Driving Cultural Impact

Art of Fauna

Art of Fauna turns wildlife illustration into relaxing puzzles. It also sets new standards for accessible game design.

Chants of Sennaar

Chants of Sennaar explores the power of language through a thought-provoking adventure.

despelote

The game despelote shares a slice-of-life story about a nation united by soccer. It provides a human-focused narrative that highlights shared experiences.

Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes combines AI with a global network of more than 9 million volunteers. It supports people who are blind or have low vision. The platform has over 900,000 users and nine million volunteers. Monthly, it handles hundreds of thousands of video calls and four million AI sessions. Partnerships with companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Spotify sustain the service while keeping it free for end users.

Focus Friend

Focus Friend gamifies focus sessions to combat digital distractions. Users are rewarded for progress, creating a motivating and engaging experience.

StoryGraph

StoryGraph promotes discovery of diverse authors. It fosters an inclusive book community and encourages authentic engagement among readers.

Behind the Apps and Games

Strava: Active and Engaging

Matt Salazar of Strava shared insights into the Apple Watch app. It serves 180 million athletes worldwide and supports 50 sports. Running and walking are the most popular activities. Salazar also showcased a special preview of a new route and map feature, still in development. This feature will allow users to explore routes in real time while leaving their phones behind. The redesigned app emphasizes intuitive tracking and clear data, encouraging active lifestyles and demonstrating Strava’s commitment to accessible and engaging exercise.

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Accessible and Immersive

Stewart Pagan and Winston Lung explained how Pokémon TCG Pocket balances accessibility, digital innovation, and competitive play. Pack Openings simulate real card packs, and Wonder Pick lets players explore other users’ collections. Digital binders and display boards organize cards, while rare Immersive Cards include animations, audio, and interactive elements. The streamlined battle system and MEGA RISING expansion, which adds Mega Evolved Pokémon along with sharing and trading features, helped the game surpass 70 million downloads.

Be My Eyes: Mission-Driven Accessibility

Mike Buckley of Be My Eyes discussed the platform’s mission to assist users who are blind or have low vision. Since its founding by Hans Jorgen Wiberg, the platform has grown to over 900,000 users and nine million volunteers. Each month, it facilitates 120,000 video calls and four million AI-powered sessions. Partnerships with major enterprises like Sony, Microsoft, and Spotify allow the service to remain free while supporting accessibility and independence for visually impaired users.

The 2025 App Store Awards showcase how developers push the boundaries of creativity, technology, and cultural influence. From apps that enhance daily life to games that immerse users in new worlds, this year’s winners demonstrate the endless possibilities across the ecosystem.