On Wednesday, Apple recognized 45 apps and games across its entire ecosystem of devices that shape how people create, play, and stay organized.
The company released its list of finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards on Wednesday. Apple's editorial team selected each finalist for design quality, useful features, and cultural or technical impact.
Winners will be announced in the coming weeks, but this group already shows where the Apple ecosystem is heading. The App Store Awards have become a yearly snapshot of what Apple values in software.
Apple positions the finalists as work that brings fresh ideas to familiar categories while solving real problems for users. Carson Oliver, who oversees the App Store worldwide, said 2025's group reflects developers who helped people express their creativity, stay organized, and discover new experiences.
iPhone finalists focus on habits & creativity
The iPhone App of the Year category leans toward daily routines and personal improvement.
- BandLab - mobile studio for quick music creation
- LADDER - strength workouts built around guided programs
- Tiimo - visual planner that organizes daily routines
Each one focuses on small but meaningful daily tasks, whether that is recording music, building a workout routine, or easing the stress of managing a schedule.
The iPhone Game of the Year finalists take a lighter approach with playful designs and quick sessions.
- Capybara Go! - cozy idle adventure with gentle humor
- Pokemon TCG Pocket - fast card battles made for mobile
- Thronefall - minimalist kingdom strategy with tight controls
These games sit comfortably in the sweet spot between accessibility and depth, which is where many successful iPhone titles live.
iPad finalists highlight art, planning & rich storytelling
The iPad App of the Year category reflects the device's place as a creative and productivity tool.
- Detail - flexible multicam editor for modern creators
- Graintouch - digital printmaking with textured creative tools
- Structured - simple timelines for clearly planned days
These apps lean into the bigger screen and Apple Pencil support, which gives them room to rethink workflows.
Prince of Persia
The iPad Game of the Year choices emphasize story, atmosphere, and world-building.
- DREDGE - eerie fishing mystery with tense exploration
- Infinity Nikki - whimsical open-world adventure with fashion
- Prince of Persia Lost Crown - precision action-platformer with modern style
Apple tends to reward iPad games that feel more like console or PC experiences, and this group fits that pattern.
Mac finalists lean into productivity & cinematic games
Mac users expect high performance and clean design, and this year's app finalists mirror those expectations.
- Acorn - lightweight editor for fast photo adjustments
- Essayist - structured writing tool for clear academic work
- Under My Roof - home organization with inventory & planning
These apps reflect long-running Mac themes: pro editing tools, research-friendly software, and practical home organization.
The Mac Game of the Year finalists deliver visual scale and narrative focus.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows - stealth adventure set in feudal Japan
- Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition - story-rich cyberpunk world with massive detail
- Neva - emotional adventure with elegant visual storytelling
Apple has been working to make the Mac feel more relevant to serious gamers, and this category supports that effort.
Apple Arcade finalists spotlight charm & replay value
Apple Arcade finalists balance approachability and challenge.
- Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE - joyful rolling chaos with colorful energy
- PGA TOUR Pro Golf - realistic golf mechanics with polished controls
- WHAT THE CLASH? - fast microgames packed with absurd fun
Porta Nubi
These games keep sessions short without feeling shallow, which fits Arcade's subscription model.
Apple Vision Pro finalists reveal a maturing spatial ecosystem
Apple Vision Pro had its first full year in the market, and the finalists show developers gaining confidence with spatial interfaces.
- Camo Studio - flexible video tools designed for spatial editing
- D-Day: The Camera Soldier - immersive historical storytelling using spatial video
- Explore POV - travel experiences built around immersive viewpoints
These apps highlight education, storytelling, and creator workflows, which have become early strengths of spatial computing.
Apple Vision Pro games focus on immersion, calm pacing, and intuitive mechanics.
- Fishing Haven - calm angling experience designed for immersion
- Gears & Goo - playful puzzles with tactile spatial mechanics
- Porta Nubi - atmospheric puzzle world built for quiet focus
The list suggests that Apple Vision Pro gaming works best when the experience feels inviting instead of overwhelming.
Apple Watch finalists focus on micro-interactions
Apple Watch apps succeed when they streamline quick actions, and the finalists offer exactly that.
- GO Club - hydration and movement tracking made simple
- Pro Camera by Moment - wrist-controlled tools for quick photo capture
- Strava - community workouts logged right from your wrist
They help users move more, capture moments faster, and stay connected to their fitness communities.
Apple TV finalists expand family-friendly entertainment
Apple TV finalists cover premium shows, educational content, and simple couch-friendly games.
- HBO Max - premium streaming with accessibility focus
- PBS KIDS Video - safe educational content for younger viewers
- Super Farming Boy 4K - chain-reaction puzzle farming built for TV
Bandlab
Apple favors apps that make the living room feel welcoming and accessible.
Cultural Impact finalists emphasize empathy, identity & connection
This category highlights work that goes beyond features to explore human challenges and community relationships.
- Art of Fauna - cozy wildlife puzzles inspired by nature
- A Space for the Unbound - heartfelt story exploring connection and healing
- Be My Eyes - visual support platform empowering low-vision users
- Chants of Sennaar - language-driven puzzle adventure about communication
- despelote - culture-rich childhood story built around soccer
- Focus Friend - gamified focus sessions with lighthearted motivation
- Is This Seat Taken? - interactive narrative encouraging everyday empathy
- Retro - privacy-focused shared photo spaces for families
- StoryGraph - inclusive reading tracker for thoughtful discovery
- Venba - cooking-based narrative about family and identity
- Whoscall - call-screening tools that reduce phone scams
- Yuka - product scanner helping users choose healthier items
It's often the most revealing category because it shows what Apple wants to uplift socially, not just technically. The winners will be named soon, with the finalists setting the tone for how Apple's software ecosystem will evolve heading into 2026.
