Apple’s App Store continues to go from strength to strength and features a little under two million apps generating cash for developers (Apple claimed to have paid out $320 billion up to 2023). As it does every year, the company has highlighted the best apps and games on the platform.
There are 17 apps and games selected in all, hand-picked by Apple’s App Store editors; remember that the company reviews each app submitted for quality. The winners were picked from a shortlist of 45.
Originally centred around the iPhone and then the iPad, the App Store spread to Apple Watch and the Mac. Latterly it moved to Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro so all are featured in the awards. There’s a special award for Apple Arcade games, too.
As well as the platform-specific awards, there are also ‘cultural impact’ winners.
In terms of the main platform awards, the iPhone app of the year is Tiimo that, according to Apple “offers users an impressive visual planner and thoughtfully implemented AI that turns aspirations into actionable next steps.”
The iPad app is Detail with “AI editing tools [that] democratize the video production process for both aspiring and seasoned creators.”
The Mac app is Essayist, which “tackles the time-consuming work of formatting academic papers on Mac, powered by AI tools.”
Other key awards winners include Strava on Apple Watch and HBO Max on Apple TV. The top games are Pokémon TCG Pocket and DREDGE, as well as WHAT THE CLASH?
“Every year, we’re inspired by the ways developers turn their best ideas into innovative experiences that enrich people’s lives,” said Tim Cook, Apple CEO.
“This year’s winners represent the creativity and excellence that define the App Store, and they demonstrate the meaningful impact that world-class apps and games have on people everywhere.”
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Apple’s Apps of the Year 2025
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| iPhone App of the Year | Tiimo |
| iPad App of the Year | Detail |
| Mac App of the Year | Essayist |
| Apple Watch App of the Year | Strava |
| Apple TV App of the Year | HBO Max |
| Apple Vision Pro App of the Year | Explore POV |
| iPhone Game of the Year | Pokémon TCG Pocket |
| iPad Game of the Year | DREDGE |
| Mac Game of the Year | Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition |
| Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year | Porta Nubi |
| Apple Arcade Game of the Year | WHAT THE CLASH? |
| Cultural Impact Winner | Art of Fauna |
| Cultural Impact Winner | Chants of Sennaar |
| Cultural Impact Winner | despelote |
| Cultural Impact Winner | Be My Eyes |
| Cultural Impact Winner | Focus Friend |
| Cultural Impact Winner | StoryGraph |
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