On June 3, 2026, Apple announced this year's winners of the Apple Design Awards, which celebrate outstanding apps and games[1]. Developer teams from around the world were recognized for innovation, artistry, and technical excellence, with one app and one game chosen in each of six categories for a total of 12 honorees[1]. All of the winners were selected from 36 finalists gathered worldwide, and they will be honored at the WWDC26 developer event[1].

What the Apple Design Awards Are

The Apple Design Awards recognize apps and games that deliver unparalleled experiences on Apple's platforms. This year featured six categories—Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics—each with one winning app and one winning game[1]. Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, praised the winners, noting that whether they deliver intuitive functionality or exciting gameplay, these apps and games represent the very best of what is possible on Apple's platforms[1].

The Winners in Six Categories

In the Delight and Fun category, the winners were "grug" (Ocho, Netherlands), an app that lets you read everyday wisdom in playful "stone age caveman speak," and "Is This Seat Taken?" (Poti Poti Studio, Spain), a quirky logic puzzle set on public transit[1].

In Inclusivity, the honorees were "Guitar Wiz: Chords & Tuner" (Bijoy Thangaraj, India), an all-in-one guitar practice app that guides players by voice from pitch to finger placement, and "Pine Hearts" (Hyper Luminal Games, UK), an adventure with rich accessibility options such as improved text readability and customizable controls[1].

In Innovation, the winners were "NBA: Live Games & Scores" (NBA Media Ventures, US), which lets fans watch up to 5 games at once on Apple Vision Pro, and "Blue Prince" (Dogubomb, US), a story-rich adventure that blends exploration, puzzles, and non-combat elements[1].

In Interaction, the awards went to "Moonlitt: Moon Phases & Position" (Flipping Hues, Italy), which shows the moon's position and phases through an elegant interface, and "Sago Mini Jinja's Garden" (Sago Mini, Canada), praised for intuitive controls that let children play without reading instructions[1].

In Social Impact, the winners were "Primary: News in Depth" (Wood Metal Rocks, US), which delivers news in depth through Apple Vision Pro's spatial interface, and "Consume Me" (Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson, US), which sensitively portrays an autobiographical, deeply personal theme[1].

In Visuals and Graphics, the honorees were "Tide Guide: Charts & Tables" (Condor Digital, US), which presents tide data on a refined, water-themed screen, and "Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition" (CD Projekt, Poland), an open-world title that makes the most of Apple silicon and Metal on the Mac[1].

Notable Finalists

Although they did not take home an award, the finalists included many compelling titles[1]. Among the games, "Sid Meier's Civilization VII" (Firaxis Games) and "PowerWash Simulator" (FuturLab), both on Apple Arcade, the mountain-skiing "Grand Mountain Adventure 2" (Toppluva), and Hypergryph's "Arknights: Endfield" were named finalists[1]. On the app side, titles that embrace spatial computing and original design also stood out, hinting at the breadth of expression taking shape on Apple's platforms[1].

Summary

The 2026 Apple Design Awards honored a total of 12 apps and games across six categories, with developers from around the world chosen out of 36 finalists[1]. From immersive experiences built on Apple Vision Pro to thoughtful touches for accessibility and younger players, the lineup is wonderfully varied. If a title catches your eye, it is well worth checking out alongside the WWDC26 news.

Source: https://www.apple.com/jp/newsroom/2026/06/apple-reveals-winners-of-the-2026-apple-design-awards/