Apple selects 45 finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards in apps and games

Apple Unveils Finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards

In an exciting lead-up to its annual App Store Awards, Apple has announced the 45 finalists selected by its Global App Store editors. This prestigious event honors exceptional applications and games across various platforms including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the innovative Vision Pro. The awards celebrate the creativity and expertise of app developers and provide recognition for outstanding contributions to the App Store ecosystem.

Finalists in the App Categories

Below is the comprehensive list of finalists recognized in different application categories:

iPhone App of the Year: BandLab, LADDER, Tiimo
iPad App of the Year: Detail, Graintouch, Structured
Mac App of the Year: Acorn, Essayist, Under My Roof
Apple Vision Pro App of the Year: Camo Studio, D-Day: The Camera Soldier, Explore POV
Apple Watch App of the Year: GO Club, Pro Camera by Moment, Strava
Apple TV App of the Year: HBO Max, PBS KIDS Video, Super Farming Boy 4K

Game Finalists Across Multiple Platforms

In addition to apps, this year’s awards also honor the best games available on Apple devices. The game finalists are listed as follows:

iPhone Game of the Year: Capybara Go!, Pokémon TCG Pocket, Thronefall
iPad Game of the Year: DREDGE, Infinity Nikki, Prince of Persia: Lost Crown
Mac Game of the Year: Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Neva
Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE, PGA Tour Pro Golf, WHAT THE CLASH?
Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year: Fishing Haven, Gears & Goo, Porta Nubi

Culture Impact Nominees

Additionally, several apps and games have been acknowledged for their significant cultural contributions. The nominees in the Culture Impact category include:

Art of Fauna
A Space for the Unbound
Be My Eyes
Chants of Sennaar
despelote
Focus Friend
Is This Seat Taken?
Retro
StoryGraph
Venba
Whoscall
Yuka

Notable Trends and Comparisons

The release of Apple’s finalists comes just a day after Google announced the winners of its 2025 Google Play Awards. Interestingly, several applications such as Focus Friend, Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Chants of Sennaar have found success on both platforms, reflecting a growing trend of cross-platform popularity. This convergence in app success emphasizes the competitive nature of the digital marketplace.

Upcoming Announcements

Apple has revealed that it will unveil the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards in the upcoming weeks. This announcement is highly anticipated by developers and users alike, as it celebrates innovation and excellence in app development.

For more information, you can read the official announcement on Apple’s website here.

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