Each year, Apple’s editorial team picks out the more impressive apps and games of the year in a variety of categories. Though we won’t find out the winners until later this month, the finalists have been revealed and there are some fantastic entries this year.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s App Store Award finalists, whose imagination and craftsmanship have produced amazing apps that users love,” said Carson Oliver, Apple’s head of Worldwide App Store. “From games that transport players to fantastical new worlds, to apps that fuel creativity, these developers are delivering remarkable experiences that captivate and inspire.”
With the actual top prizes somewhat arbitrary and subjective, we feel the shortlist actually gives a better representation of what the App Store has to offer. Included below is a mix of big, predictable names and experimental indie titles alike. We’ve covered many of them before, and will link through to our verdicts where appropriate.
iPhone App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPhone App of the Year category empowered users to enhance real-life experiences through personalised tools and easy-to-use features:
Kino, for turning everyday moments into cinematic masterpieces.
Runna, for offering tailored training plans to runners of all experience levels.
Tripsy, for keeping travelers organized and stress-free. [Our Review]
Runna, for offering tailored training plans to runners of all experience levels.
Tripsy, for keeping travelers organized and stress-free. [Our Review]
iPhone Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPhone Game of the Year category brought players captivating narratives with rich visuals and compelling characters:
AFK Journey, for building enchanting fantasy worlds with striking battles.
The WereCleaner, for delivering comical and creative gameplay.
Zenless Zone Zero, for immersing players in action-packed storylines.
The WereCleaner, for delivering comical and creative gameplay.
Zenless Zone Zero, for immersing players in action-packed storylines.
iPad App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPad App of the Year category inspired imaginative play and creativity:
Bluey: Let’s Play, for delivering lovable characters and family-friendly fun.
Moises, for elevating music practice with AI-powered tools.
Procreate Dreams, for bringing animated stories to life. [Our Guide]
Moises, for elevating music practice with AI-powered tools.
Procreate Dreams, for bringing animated stories to life. [Our Guide]
iPad Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the iPad Game of the Year category featured dynamic storytelling and beautifully crafted worlds:
Assassin’s Creed Mirage, for transporting players into a world of narrative-driven adventure.
Disney Speedstorm, for bringing exciting, high-speed racing experiences.
Squad Busters, for combining the thrill of competition with welcoming, playful gameplay.
Disney Speedstorm, for bringing exciting, high-speed racing experiences.
Squad Busters, for combining the thrill of competition with welcoming, playful gameplay.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Arcade Game of the Year category offered epic stories and a refresh of the classics:
Balatro+, for inventing a thrilling card game that’s like no other. [Our Review]
Outlanders 2, for captivating players with revamped graphics and imaginative levels.
Sonic Dream Team, for introducing new adventures to the characters players know and love.
Outlanders 2, for captivating players with revamped graphics and imaginative levels.
Sonic Dream Team, for introducing new adventures to the characters players know and love.
Mac App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Mac App of the Year category delivered powerful tools, helping users tackle projects with ease:
Adobe Lightroom, for enhancing the photo editing process with AI-powered features.
OmniFocus 4, for fostering focus with simplified task management.
Shapr3D, for transforming the 3D design workflow.
OmniFocus 4, for fostering focus with simplified task management.
Shapr3D, for transforming the 3D design workflow.
Mac Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Mac Game of the Year category brought gamers unique protagonists, visual style, and endless fun:
Frostpunk 2, for expanding on the city-building genre.
Stray, for capturing both mystery and playfulness in its dark world.
Thank Goodness You’re Here!, for amusing players with nonstop humor and absurdity.
Stray, for capturing both mystery and playfulness in its dark world.
Thank Goodness You’re Here!, for amusing players with nonstop humor and absurdity.
Apple Watch App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Watch App of the Year category provided convenient access to helpful tools and information, right on their wrist:
LookUp, for improving vocabularies with daily definitions.
Lumy, for connecting users to the rhythms of the sun and moon.
Watch to 5K, for giving runners a boost, all the way to the finish line.
Lumy, for connecting users to the rhythms of the sun and moon.
Watch to 5K, for giving runners a boost, all the way to the finish line.
Apple Vision Pro App of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Vision Pro App of the Year category pushed the boundaries of spatial computing:
JigSpace, for empowering users to view 3D and augmented reality models with ease.
NBA, for redefining the future of how users watch the sports they love.
What If…? An Immersive Story, for inviting players into a new kind of Marvel experience.
NBA, for redefining the future of how users watch the sports they love.
What If…? An Immersive Story, for inviting players into a new kind of Marvel experience.
Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year Finalists
Finalists in the Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year category stunned players with vibrant scenes and intuitive gameplay:
Loóna, for crafting relaxing puzzles to unwind with.
THRASHER, for introducing smooth, trailblazing controls and a mesmerizing alien world.
Vacation Simulator, for taking players to destinations filled with funny characters and even funnier activities.
THRASHER, for introducing smooth, trailblazing controls and a mesmerizing alien world.
Vacation Simulator, for taking players to destinations filled with funny characters and even funnier activities.
Apple TV App of the Year Finalists
Cultural Impact Finalists
Finalists in the Cultural Impact category brought users powerful stories and helped them bring out their best selves to create a lasting impact:
Arco, for letting players shape their own story.
The Bear, for turning bedtime into a calming, interactive experience.
BetterSleep, for helping users sleep — and feel — better.
Brawl Stars, for delivering quick bites of action-packed gameplay.
DailyArt, for inspiring curiosity about artistic masterpieces.
Do You Really Want to Know 2, for addressing misconceptions about HIV through an endearing interactive story.
EF Hello, for empowering language learners with AI-enhanced tools.
NYT Games, for uniting puzzle lovers across generations with a daily dose of fun.
Oko, for making street-crossing safer and more accessible to all.
Partiful, for simplifying social gatherings to foster connection and community.
Pinterest, for inspiring new ideas and endless possibilities.
The Wreck, for telling an intimate and impactful story via cinematic gameplay.
The Bear, for turning bedtime into a calming, interactive experience.
BetterSleep, for helping users sleep — and feel — better.
Brawl Stars, for delivering quick bites of action-packed gameplay.
DailyArt, for inspiring curiosity about artistic masterpieces.
Do You Really Want to Know 2, for addressing misconceptions about HIV through an endearing interactive story.
EF Hello, for empowering language learners with AI-enhanced tools.
NYT Games, for uniting puzzle lovers across generations with a daily dose of fun.
Oko, for making street-crossing safer and more accessible to all.
Partiful, for simplifying social gatherings to foster connection and community.
Pinterest, for inspiring new ideas and endless possibilities.
The Wreck, for telling an intimate and impactful story via cinematic gameplay.