Apple recently announced the 45 shortlisted entries for the 2025 App Store Awards, covering both apps and games, and spanning multiple platforms including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. The shortlist was selected by the global App Store editorial team based on a comprehensive evaluation of app design innovation, user experience, and technical performance, aiming to recognize outstanding developers and products within the digital ecosystem over the past year.
In the app category, BandLab, LADDER, and Tiimo are nominated for iPhone App of the Year, while iPad and Mac platforms are represented by Detail, Graintouch, Structured, and creative tools such as Acorn and Essayist. Meanwhile, Vision Pro, as Apple's emerging immersive computing platform, has shortlisted apps such as Camo Studio and D-Day, showcasing the vast potential of spatial interaction applications. Furthermore, multiple apps from Apple Watch and Apple TV are also nominated, reflecting the trend of collaborative development across diverse devices within the Apple ecosystem.
The competition in gaming is equally fierce. iPhone nominees include the casual and relaxing *Kapibala Go!* and the collectible card game *Pokémon TCG Pocket*, while iPad and Mac nominees include popular titles like *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* and *Assassin's Creed: Shadow*. Notably, Apple Arcade and Vision Pro platforms each have multiple games nominated, demonstrating Apple's continued investment in its gaming content ecosystem.
In addition to mainstream apps and games, this year's awards also include a Cultural Impact category, recognizing works with social value and artistic depth such as *Be My Eyes*, *Chants of Sennaar*, and *Venba*. These apps not only meet user needs functionally but also contribute to inclusivity, cultural expression, and social responsibility.
According to official sources, the final winners of the 2025 App Store Awards will be announced in the coming weeks. Which of these nominated apps and games will stand out and become the benchmarks of the year is something users and developers worldwide eagerly await.
