Apple on Thursday revealed the App Store Award winners for 2021, naming the 15 best apps and games chosen by the tech giant’s global App Store editorial team. The apps were selected for their innovative technology, creative design, exceptional quality and positive cultural impact.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “The developers who won App Store Awards in 2021 harnessed their own drive and vision to deliver the best apps and games of the year — sparking the creativity and passion of millions of users around the world. From self-taught indie coders to inspiring leaders building global businesses, these standout developers innovated with Apple technology, with many helping to foster the profound sense of togetherness we needed this year.”
Toca Life World, from Toca Boca, was named as Apple’s iPhone App of the Year. Designed mainly for children, the app lets players create their very own worlds and bring their stories to life.
LumaFusion, a popular mobile video editing app from LumaTouch, is Apple’s iPad App of the Year. It is hailed as one of the best ways to edit videos on an iPad or iPhone, with a wide variety of editing tools and effects.
League of Legends: Wild Rift, a multiplayer online battle arena game by Riot Games, has won the iPhone Game of the Year category, whereas MARVEL Future Revolution was named iPad Game of the Year.
Other winners picked from the Mac, Apple TV and Apple Arcade app categories are as follows:
- Mac App of the Year: Craft, from Luki Labs Limited
- Mac Game of the Year: Myst, from Cyan
- Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Fantasian, from Mistwalker
- Apple Watch App of the Year: Carrot Weather, from Grailr
- Apple TV App of the Year: DAZN Sports Streaming, from DAZN Group
- Apple TV Game of the Year: Space Marshals 3, from Pixelbite
Apple also named “Connection” as the Trend of the Year, recognizing a number of the best apps and games that gave a lasting impression and impact on people’s lives. Apps acknowledged in this category include Among Us!, Bumble, Canva, EatOkra, and Peanut.
Each App or Game of the Year winner shall receive a physical App Store award that is modeled after the signature blue design of the App Store logo. Each award is made from 100% recycled aluminum and it will have the winner’s name engraved on the side.