June 2, 2026
UPDATE
Apple announces winners of the 2024 Apple Design Awards
Winning developers in six categories will be recognized at WWDC26
Today, Apple announced the winners of the 2026 Apple Design Awards, honoring twelve outstanding apps and games. This year’s winners include development teams from around the world whose work demonstrates innovation, artistry and technical achievement in app and game design. The winners were selected from 36 global finalists who all delivered exceptional app experiences. One app and one game were recognized in six categories, including enjoyment and fun, inclusivity, innovation, interaction, social impact and images and graphics.
“This year’s Apple Design Award winners are a remarkable reflection of how developers create exceptional experiences,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “Whether delivering intuitive features or exciting gameplay, these apps and games represent the very best of what our platform makes possible. We are incredibly proud to honor these developers and are grateful for their commitment to enriching the lives of people everywhere.”
Meet the winners and finalists of the 2026 Apple Design Award.
Delight and pleasure
The winners in this category deliver memorable, engaging and satisfying experiences enhanced by Apple technologies.
App: heath
Developer: Ocho (Netherlands)
grug is a playful way to discover and embrace daily wisdom. The affirmation app offers a delightful way to read daily Neolithic grunts. With just a simple idea, each prompt is carefully delivered to offer users a small but meaningful moment of reflection.
Developer: Poti Poti Studio (Spain)
Is this seat taken? is a fun way to experience and solve tricky logic puzzles. The cartoonish game offers entertaining scenarios, allowing players to navigate the quirkiness of public transportation. Playful interactive elements in the game create a sense of charm to help users enjoy an unhurried ride, one seat at a time.
Finalists in this category are Blippo+ by Panic, Inc.; Metaballs by Apposite; BALL x PIT by Kenny Sun Studios; And PowerWash Simulator by FuturLab Limited (Apple Arcade).
Inclusivity
Winners in this category provide a great experience for everyone by reflecting a variety of backgrounds, skills and languages.
App: Guitar Wiz
Developer: Bijoy Thangaraj (India)
Guitar Wiz is an impressive app for new and experienced guitarists, an all-in-one toolkit that provides spoken instructions on everything from pitch to finger placement. It supports all musicians by utilizing Apple technologies including Dynamic Type, Increased Contrast and Differentiate Without Color.
Game: Pine hearts
Developer: Hyper Luminal Games Limited (United Kingdom)
Rewarding good deeds in a healthy world, Pine Hearts is a moving game for players of all levels. The beautifully designed experience takes advantage of accessibility settings, including improved text readability, customizable controls, and custom motion and sensory feedback.
Finalists in this category are Listening friend by Lilly Seay; Structured by untidy GmbH; Sago Mini Jinja’s garden by Sago Mini (Apple Arcade); And Sid Meier’s Civilization VII by Firaxis Games (Apple Arcade).
Innovation
The winners in this category deliver a state-of-the-art experience through new uses of Apple technologies that set them apart in their genre.
App: NBA: live games and scores
Developer: NBA Media Ventures, LLC (United States)
The NBA app for Apple Vision Pro gives fans an immersive viewing experience with the ability to watch up to five live games at once, track real-time player and game stats with floating leaderboards, and see player movement on a 3D court with tabletop mode. Users can also enjoy games in Spatial Audio and experience the future of sports broadcasting with Spectrum Front Row, featuring the Lakers in Apple Immersive.
Game: Blue Prince
Developer: Dogubomb (United States)
Blue Prince is a genre-defying adventure that delivers a deep narrative experience using a unique blend of exploration, puzzle-solving and non-combat elements. The room-by-room structure is effortlessly engaging, with environmental storytelling support found in hanging photographs and hand-scrawled notes. The game offers extraordinary depth, secrets and a whole second game’s worth of story to bring the mysterious world to life.
Finalists in this category are D-Day: the camera soldier by TARGO; Detail: AI video editor by Detail Technologies BV; Pickle Pro by Resolution Games AB; And TR-49 by ink.
Interaction
Winners in this category deliver intuitive interfaces and effortless controls that are perfectly tailored to their platform.
App: Moonlitt: Moon phase tracker
Developer: Flipping Hues Srls (Italy)
With broad platform support, Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker provides an elegant interface for tracking celestial events, planning photography, and exploring all things moon. Simple onboarding and best-in-class Liquid Glass integration allow users to keep their eyes on the sky in an easy and intuitive way.
Game: Sago Mini Jinja’s garden
Developer: Sago Mini (Canada)
In Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden, young people can plant seeds, harvest vegetables and prepare meals using an intuitive interface. Available on Apple Arcade, the game features effortless swipe-to-move controls so kids can focus on exploring the cheerful garden rather than reading instructions.
Finalists in this category are The Outsiders: Athlete Tracker by Softer Stories LLC; Tide guide: maps and tables by Condor Digital; Big mountain adventure 2 by Toppluva AB; And TR-49 by ink.
Social impact
Winners in this category meaningfully improve lives and shine a light on critical issues.
Developer: Wood Metal Rocks LLC (United States)
Primary casts a spatial spotlight on the news. Powered by a global team of experienced editors, the spatial interface, designed for Apple Vision Pro, is smartly organized and seamlessly integrated to help users engage with news thoughtfully.
Game: Consume me
Developer: Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson (United States)
A deeply personal and autobiographical experience of a sensitive and emotionally moving subject, Consume Me combines gameplay with deep care. The clever mechanics allow users to thoughtfully connect with feelings that words can’t always convey.
Finalists in this category are Katha room by Parjanya Creative Solutions; Harvey by Peak Labs Ltd.; despelote by Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena; And Spilled! at Lente Cuenen.
Visual and graphic
The winners in this category feature beautiful visuals, expertly drawn interfaces and top-notch animations with a unique and cohesive theme.
App: Tide guide: maps and tables
Developer: Condor Digital (United States)
Tide Guide is a premium tide tracker that provides hour-by-hour forecasts and a clear presentation of weather data that anyone can easily understand. The app’s full-screen diagrams are filled with custom animations, and the Liquid Glass integration, water theme, and sky-matching palette make for a polished and hands-on experience.
Game: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Developer: CD Projekt SA (Poland)
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is a visually ambitious open-world game that takes full advantage of Apple Silicon on Mac and advanced Metal features. The intricate interiors, character art and vehicle designs feel technically demanding and truly lived-in.
Finalists in this category are Caradise by PSQV AB; (Not boring) Camera by Not Boring Software LLC; Arknights: Endfield by Hypergryph; And SLUDGE from Spiraalcircus.
Press Contacts
Josh Zeliger
Apple
(647) 537-7244
Cortney Hughes
Apple
(647) 943-4562
