Apple has declared 45 finalists for the App Store Awards 2025. The list features apps and games that deliver standout experiences in creativity, productivity, entertainment, and cultural impact. The tech giant will soon announce winners by shortlisting developers whose work pushes ‘technical innovation, user experience and design’ to new heights.
Carson Oliver, the head of App Store Worldwide at Apple, said the finalists represent ‘a diverse and talented group of developers’ whose creations empower users across the globe.
The candidates for App of the Year on iPhone are BandLab, LADDER, and Tiimo. They are all recognised for elevating daily workflows, from music creation to strength training and task management.
The candidates for iPhone Game of the Year are Capybara Go!, Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Thronefall, variously honored for crafting compelling, genre-spanning gameplay.
On iPad, creativity and productivity defined finalists like Detail, Graintouch, and Structured, each simplifying content creation and time management. The shortlist of iPad Game of the Year brings in cinematic storytelling through DREDGE, Infinity Nikki, and Prince of Persia: Lost Crown.
Meanwhile, Acorn, Essayist, and Under My Roof lead the Mac App of the Year category with tools for editing, research, and home management. The lineup for Mac gamers is also solid with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, and Neva.
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Reflecting Apple’s push into spatial computing, Vision Pro finalists like Camo Studio, D-Day: The Camera Soldier, and Explore POV are recognized for immersive visual experiences. Additionally, games like Fishing Haven, Gears & Goo, and Porta Nubi set a benchmark for spatial gameplay.
On Apple Watch, GO Club, Pro Camera by Moment, and Strava earned spots for enhancing real-time fitness, photography, and community engagement.
The twelve finalists chosen for encouraging inclusion, accessibility, and meaningful community connections include Be My Eyes, Venba, StoryGraph, and Yuka. According to Apple, these apps reflect how technology can ‘drive empathy, awareness, and positive change.