Apple has officially revealed the distinguished winners of its annual App Store Awards for the year 2025. This prestigious recognition honours applications and games that demonstrate outstanding technical innovation, superior user experience, and a significant positive influence on culture and society. The awards spotlight developers from across Apple's ecosystem who are crafting experiences that empower users, foster creativity, and offer deep immersion.
Celebrating Excellence and Innovation
The selection process was meticulous, with Apple's editorial team personally choosing the 17 winners from a shortlist of 45 exceptional finalists. The criteria focused on groundbreaking innovation, intuitive design, and the overall quality of the user journey. In a statement, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, praised the winners, stating that they embody the creative spirit and ingenuity that defines the App Store. He emphasised that top-tier apps and games possess the unique power to create a meaningful difference in the lives of people globally. The App Store Awards underscore Apple's ongoing dedication to acknowledging developer talent and encouraging the creation of high-calibre digital experiences for a worldwide audience.
The Complete List of 2025 App Store Award Winners
Here is the full roster of applications and games that received top honours across Apple's various platforms:
iPhone App of the Year: Tiimo from tiimo. This visual planning tool uses intelligent AI features to break down personal goals into clear, manageable steps, praised for its thoughtful implementation and user-friendly design.
iPad App of the Year: Detail by Detail Technologies B.V. A video production application that leverages AI editing tools, making professional-grade video creation achievable for both novices and experts.
Mac App of the Year: Essayist by Essayist Software Inc. An academic writing assistant that streamlines the research paper formatting process by automating tedious tasks through AI-powered tooling.
Apple Vision Pro App of the Year: Explore POV by James Hustler. This app delivers an immersive travel experience, transporting users to stunning global locations using breathtaking Apple Immersive Video technology.
Apple Watch App of the Year: Strava by Strava, Inc. The popular fitness tracking platform connects athletes worldwide through its sleek design and real-time segment tracking, featuring excellent integration with the Apple Watch.
Apple TV App of the Year: HBO Max by WarnerMedia Global Digital Services, LLC. Recognised as a hub for inclusive entertainment, this streaming service offers features like American Sign Language integration alongside its vast content library.
iPhone Game of the Year: Pokémon TCG Pocket by The Pokémon Company. A digital card battle game celebrated for its beautifully rendered card artwork, engaging gameplay, and an interface perfectly optimised for the iPhone.
iPad Game of the Year: DREDGE by Black Salt Games. An atmospheric fishing adventure that masterfully blends cozy gameplay with elements of haunting mystery for a truly immersive experience.
Mac Game of the Year: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition by CD PROJEKT S.A. This futuristic sci-fi RPG set in a visually stunning metropolis was honoured for its compelling narrative and storytelling.
Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year: Porta Nubi by Michael Temper. A puzzle game that creatively transforms Apple Vision Pro Environments, making players feel like an integral part of its atmospheric challenges.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year: WHAT THE CLASH? by Triband ApS. A competitive game that delivers continuous fun through its silly and inventively designed competitions.
Apps Driving Meaningful Change: Cultural Impact Winners
In a special category, Apple also recognised six Cultural Impact winners for using their platforms to drive positive change and foster a more inclusive world.
- Art of Fauna by Klemens Strasser: An accessible wildlife illustration puzzle game that sets new standards in inclusive game design with its relaxing gameplay.
- Chants of Sennaar by Playdigious: An adventure game that celebrates the richness of linguistic diversity through deep storytelling and innovative puzzle-solving.
- Despelote by Panic: A narrative-driven game sharing an intimate story of a nation navigating challenges while finding unity in its passion for soccer.
- Be My Eyes by Be My Eyes: A vital accessibility app that combines artificial intelligence with a network of human volunteers to assist people who are blind or have low vision with daily tasks.
- Focus Friend by Hank Green by B-Tech Consulting Group LLC: A productivity app that gamifies focus sessions, helping users overcome digital distractions with rewarding incentives.
- StoryGraph by The StoryGraph: A book community platform that promotes authenticity and diversity through discovery features designed to elevate diverse authors and provide inclusive recommendations.
The announcement of the App Store Awards 2025 winners highlights the vibrant and diverse landscape of development within Apple's ecosystem. From powerful AI tools and immersive games to applications championing accessibility and social good, this year's winners showcase the profound potential of software to enhance, connect, and inspire users around the planet.
