Apple has published the list of finalists for the App Store Awards

Apple has announced the 45 finalists for this year’s App Store Awards, recognizing the best apps and games across 12 different categories for creating exceptional experiences that inspire users to achieve more, reimagine daily workflows, and push the boundaries of creativity.

Each year, the App Store Awards honors developers from around the world whose apps improve people’s lives and embody the best in technical innovation, user experience, and design. The winners of the App Store Awards, selected from this outstanding list of finalists, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Finalists in the “iPhone App of the Year” category

These apps helped users refine workflows in their daily lives:

— BandLab, a free platform for music recording, audio editing, and collaboration

— LADDER, a strength training app that selects appropriate exercises, eliminates guesswork in planning, and helps track progress

— Tiimo, a visual task planner with a gentle design, created for people who process information better with structure and visual cues.

Finalists in the “iPhone Game of the Year” category

These apps delivered fantastic gameplay and intergenerational entertainment:

— Capybara Go!, a relaxing adventure game featuring a capybara

— Pokémon TCG Pocket, an expanded version of the legendary Pokémon card game featuring collecting, battling, and digital card packs

— Thronefall, a blend of thrilling defensive battles with minimalist controls.

Finalists in the “iPad App of the Year” category

These apps helped users unlock their creative and professional potential:

— Detail, a powerful tool for creators that combines recording, editing, and fine-tuning video directly on the iPad

— Graintouch, bringing the beauty of printmaking to more creators

— Structured, visualizing the busiest days in the form of easy-to-read timelines.

Finalists in the “iPad Game of the Year” category

These apps took players on new adventures with captivating stories:

— DREDGE, a spooky mystical story and smooth gameplay

— Infinity Nikki, immersing players in the whimsical world of Miraland

— Prince of Persia Lost Crown, creating an epic adventure from start to finish.

Finalists in the “Mac App of the Year” category

These apps provided users with powerful tools to confidently take on new projects:

— Acorn, a professional photo editor with a wide range of tools

— Essayist, an assistant for writing academic papers

— Under My Roof, a home management app.

Finalists in the “Mac Game of the Year” category

These apps created beautifully crafted worlds with engaging stories:

— Assassin’s Creed Shadows, creating a stealthy journey through feudal Japan

— Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, captivating players with stunning futuristic visuals

— Neva, an emotionally touching story enhanced by impressive visual design.

Finalists in the “Apple Arcade Game of the Year” category

These apps offered charming challenges and professional-level emotions:

— Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE, entertaining players with the chaos of a sticky ball

— PGA TOUR Pro Golf, a realistic golf simulator with thoughtful physics

— WHAT THE CLASH?, a collection of unconventional mini-games with absurd humor and unpredictable gameplay.

Finalists in the “Apple Vision Pro App of the Year” category

These apps amazed users with unmatched immersion:

— Camo Studio, a video production tool that allows users to configure cameras, streams, and spatial recording

— D-Day: an immersive documentary project that lets users experience historical events through a 3D perspective

— Explore POV, a library of spatial videos that transports users to different parts of the world in Apple Immersive format.

Finalists in the “Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year” category

These apps set the standard for the future of spatial gaming:

— Fishing Haven, a meditative VR fishing game with a relaxed pace and atmosphere of calm

— Gears & Goo, a mix of puzzle and strategy where players solve tasks involving cute characters

— Porta Nubi, a puzzle game that allows players to manipulate light and space to solve puzzles.

Finalists in the “Apple Watch App of the Year” category

These apps provided useful insights and extended functionality — right on the user’s wrist:

— GO Club, an app that helps track activity, water intake, and habits directly from the wrist

— Pro Camera by Moment, a tool for advanced photography that allows users to control shooting parameters directly from the watch

— Strava, a social fitness platform for runners, cyclists, and active users, connecting people through results and movement.

Finalists in the “Apple TV App of the Year” category

These apps brought endless entertainment to the largest screen in the home:

— HBO Max, a video service with major premieres, series, and movies, optimized for the big screen

— PBS KIDS Video, a safe platform for children with educational series and interactive content

— Super Farming Boy 4K, a tactical puzzle game with chain reactions and high-resolution simulation of a farming adventure.

Finalists in the “Cultural Impact” category

These apps fostered greater understanding and expanded users’ ability to connect with communities:

— Art of Fauna, an eco-friendly puzzle game that introduces users to the world of wildlife

— A Space for the Unbound, an emotional story about mental health and growing up

— Be My Eyes, an app that allows people with visual impairments to receive help from volunteers or AI

— Chants of Sennaar, a meditative game about language as a bridge between cultures

— despelote, a game that reveals cultural identity through everyday scenes and humor

— Focus Friend, a concentration assistant that turns work sessions into gaming challenges

— Is This Seat Taken?, a project that develops empathy and understanding of different perspectives

— Retro, a private social network for close friends where connection matters more than likes

— StoryGraph, an app for book lovers featuring recommendations and a safe community atmosphere

— Venba, a game about culture, food, and family, conveying the warmth of national traditions

— Whoscall, a service that protects users from spam and fraudulent calls

— Yuka, a scanner for products and cosmetics that helps users make informed choices.

Source: Apple