Apple Announces 2021 App Store Award Winners

Apple Announces its Annual App and Game of the Year Awards

Today, Apple unveiled its highly anticipated annual selection of the best apps and games of the year, spanning across its entire ecosystem – iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. Toca Boca’s “Toca Life World” earned the distinction of iPhone App of the Year, while “League of Legends: Wild Rift” from Riot Games was named the iPhone Game of the Year.

Award Winners Across Apple Platforms

Several other applications received recognition. “LumaFusion” by LumaTouch was chosen as the iPad App of the Year, and “MARVEL Future Revolution” from Netmarble secured the iPad Game of the Year title. The Mac App of the Year award went to “Craft,” developed by Luki Labs Limited, and “Myst” from Cyan was recognized as the Mac Game of the Year.

Further accolades were given to “DAZN” (DAZN Group) as the Apple TV App of the Year, and “Space Marshals 3” (Pixelbite) as the Apple TV Game of the Year. “Carrot Weather” from Grailr was honored as the Apple Watch App of the Year, and “Fantasian” by Mistwalker claimed the Apple Arcade Game of the Year award.

A Trend Towards Innovation and Established Developers

The award recipients often represent innovative newcomers or those who effectively leverage Apple’s technologies. They also frequently gain prominence throughout the year. Last year’s selections, for instance, mirrored the impact of the pandemic, with “Wakeout!” and “Zoom” being recognized for their relevance during that period.

This year’s iPhone App of the Year, “Toca Life World,” is noteworthy as its creator, Toca Boca, recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Since its initial app launch, the company has released over 40 children’s applications, which they refer to as digital toys. “Toca Life World” represents a consolidation of their previous “Toca Life” apps into a unified, interconnected experience.

Apple Highlights Continued Innovation

Apple commended the winning app for its continued ability to “masterfully iterate on the art of play and self-expression for kids,” even after a decade. This selection also subtly underscores the viability of long-term development on the App Store, and Apple’s support for such endeavors through these awards.

Recognizing Connection and Competition

Apple also acknowledged the impact of “DAZN,” noting how the streaming service brought local sports into the global arena. Interestingly, Apple is concurrently developing a SportsKit framework for Apple TV and iOS, which DAZN may potentially utilize in the future.

The company also praised “Carrot Weather’s” superior meteorological forecasting, which rivals Apple’s native Weather app and utilizes data from Apple’s Dark Sky. Similarly, Apple highlighted LumaFusion’s streamlined video editing capabilities and Craft’s “efficiency and artistry,” while acknowledging that both apps compete with Apple’s own iMovie and iWork’s Pages, respectively.

Navigating a Changing App Store Landscape

The past year has presented a period of transition for the App Store, marked by increased regulatory scrutiny, new legislation, and legal challenges concerning its commission-based model – notably the ongoing dispute with Epic Games. In response, Apple has adjusted its policies and, in some instances, reduced its commissions to align with market demands and settlement agreements.

Despite these changes, the overall quality and success of many applications, including the award winners, remain consistently high.

“Connection” as the Theme of the Year

Apple identified “Connection” as the overarching Trend of the Year, celebrating apps and games that fostered meaningful connections among people. This list included “Among Us!” from InnerSloth, the dating and networking app Bumble, design platform Canva, EatOkra (a guide to Black-owned eateries), and the women’s social network Peanut, which launched audio chatrooms this year.

“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,” stated Apple CEO Tim Cook. “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.”

Physical Awards and Top Downloads

Award winners will receive physical App Store awards, inspired by the iconic blue App Store icon and crafted from 100% recycled aluminum, with the winner’s name engraved on the reverse side.

Apple also published lists of the most downloaded apps of the year. The top free and paid apps and games in the U.S. are detailed below:

Top Downloaded Apps – U.S.

Top Free iPhone Apps: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Messenger, Google Maps, Gmail, ZOOM Cloud Meetings, Amazon Shopping
Top Paid iPhone Apps: Procreate Pocket, HotSchedules, The Wonder Weeks, TouchRetouch, Facetune, Shadowrocket, 75 Hard, Dark Sky Weather, Autosleep Track Sleep on Watch, SkyView®
Top Free iPhone Games: Among Us!, Roblox, Project Makeover, Call of Duty®: Mobile, Subway Surfers, High Heels!, Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game, Water Sort Puzzle, Shortcut Run, Bridge Race
Top Paid iPhone Games: Minecraft, Heads Up!, Bloons TD 6, Monopoly, Geometry Dash, My Child Lebensborn, Plague Inc., True Skate, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Incredibox

Top Downloaded Apps – iPad

Top Free iPad Apps: YouTube, ZOOM Cloud Meetings, Disney+, Netflix, TikTok, Google Chrome, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Gmail
Top Paid iPad Apps: Procreate, GoodNotes 5, Notability, Duet Display, Toca Kitchen 2, Toca Life: Hospital, LumaFusion, Shadowrocket, Affinity Designer, Toca Life: Vacation
Top Free iPad Games: Among Us!, Roblox, Project Makeover, Phone Case DIY, Subway Surfers, Hair Challenge, Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game, Tiles Hop – EDM Rush, Blob Runner 3D, Bridge Race
Top Paid iPad Games: Minecraft, Bloons TD 6, Geometry Dash, Monopoly, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Stardew Valley, Plague Inc., Human: Fall Flat, Ultimate Custom Night, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas