Apple reveals 45 finalists for 2025 App Store Awards

• This year’s finalists also include cultural impact nominees celebrating meaningful, socially resonant work.
• Winners will be revealed in the coming weeks.
• Pokémon TCG Pocket, Thronefall and Capybara Go! headline the iPhone Game of the Year finalists.

Apple has revealed 45 finalists for the App Store Awards, recognising top apps and games across 12 categories for delivering standout experiences.

Each year, the App Store Awards honour global developers whose apps improve lives and showcase leading innovation, design and user experience. 

The finalists also include selections in the cultural impact category, recognising apps and games that reflect lived experiences, inspire positive change or deepen users’ understanding of the world. 

Winners will be announced in the coming weeks from this year’s finalists. 

iPhone game of the year finalists

• Capybara Go!
• Pokémon TCG Pocket
• Thronefall

iPad game of the year finalists

• DREDGE
• Infinity Nikki
• Prince of Persia Lost Crown

Apple Arcade game of the year finalists:

• Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE
• PGA TOUR Pro Golf
• WHAT THE CLASH?

Mac game of the year finalists

• Assassin's Creed Shadows
• Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimiate Edition
• Neva

Mac app of the year finalists

• Acron
• Essayist
• Under My Roof

Apple Vision Pro app of the year finalists

• Camo Studio
• D-Day: The Camera Soldier
• Explore POV

Apple Vision Pro game of the year finalists

• Fishing Haven
• Gears & Goo
• Porta Nubi

Apple watch app of the year finalists

• GO Club
• Pro Camera by Moment 
• Strava

Apple TV app of the year finalists

• HBO Max
• PBS KIDS Video
• Super Farming Boy 4k

Cultural impact finalists

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

The full list can be accessed here.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the App Store Award finalists, a diverse and talented group of developers from around the globe,” said Apple head of App Store worldwide Carson Oliver.

“Their commitment to excellence is an inspiration, resulting in experiences that empowered users to tap into their creativity, achieve more through technical innovations, and discover new adventures through the world of gameplay.”

Earlier this year, the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025 were revealed at a ceremony in Cologne, and public voting began for the 12th Annual Pocket Gamer Awards as the long-running event moved into its final stage.