UPDATE 02 June 2026

Apple reveals winners of ‍‍‍the 2026 Apple Design Awards

Winning developers in six categories will be recognised at ‍‍‍WWDC26

Apple announced the winners of the 2026 Apple Design Awards, honouring 12 outstanding apps and games that demonstrate innovation, artistry, and technical achievement.

Today, Apple announced the winners of the 2026 Apple Design Awards, honouring 12 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. Winners were selected from 36 global finalists who all delivered exceptional app experiences. One app and one game were recognised across six categories, including Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics.

“This year’s Apple Design Award winners are a remarkable reflection of how developers are creating 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 celebrate these developers and are grateful for their commitment to enriching the lives of people everywhere.”

Meet the 2026 Apple Design Award winners and finalists.

Delight and Fun

Winners in this category provide memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences that are enhanced by Apple technologies.

App: grug
Developer: Ocho (Netherlands)

grug is a playful way to discover and embrace daily wisdom. The affirmation app provides a delightful way to read daily neolithic grunts. With just a simple idea, each prompt is thoughtfully delivered to offer users a small but meaningful moment of reflection.

The grug app on iPhone 17 Pro shows a light blue screen with a drawing of a heart pierced by an arrow and a short poem.

Game: Is This Seat Taken?
Developer: Poti Poti Studio (Spain)

Is This Seat Taken? is a fun way to experience and solve tricky logic puzzles. The cartoon-style game provides entertaining scenarios, helping players navigate the quirkiness of public transit. Playful interactive elements within the game create a sense of charm to support users in enjoying an unhurried ride, one seat at a time.

The game Is This Seat Taken? on a 13-inch iPad Air shows a cartoon-style interior of a bus with various characters.

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 all by reflecting a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.

App: Guitar Wiz
Developer: Bijoy Thangaraj (India)

Guitar Wiz is an impactful 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 taking advantage of Apple technologies, including Dynamic Type, Increased Contrast, and Differentiate Without Colour.

The Guitar Wiz app on iPhone 17 Pro shows guitar chord diagrams and finger placements.

Game: Pine Hearts
Developer: Hyper Luminal Games Limited (United Kingdom)

By rewarding good deeds in a wholesome world, Pine Hearts is a moving game for players of all abilities. The beautifully conceived experience makes use of accessibility settings, including enhanced text legibility, customisable controls, and adjusted motion and sensory feedback.

The Pine Hearts game on a 13-inch iPad Pro shows a character in a colourful, isometric world near a river and trees.

Finalists in this category are Hearing Buddy by Lilly Seay; Structured by unorderly GmbH; Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden by Sago Mini (Apple Arcade); and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII by Firaxis Games (Apple Arcade).

Innovation

Winners in this category provide a state‑of‑the‑art experience through novel use of Apple technologies that set them apart in their genre.

App: NBA: Live Games & Scores
Developer: NBA Media Ventures, LLC (United States)

The NBA app for Apple Vision Pro offers fans an immersive viewing experience with the ability to watch up to five live games at once, follow real-time player and game stats with floating leaderboards, and see player movements 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.

The NBA: Live Games & Scores app on Apple Vision Pro shows multiple basketball games and stats windows floating in a living room environment.

Game: Blue Prince
Developer: Dogubomb (United States)

Blue Prince is a genre-defying adventure that delivers a deep narrative experience using a unique mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and noncombat elements. The room-by-room structure is effortlessly engaging, with support for environmental storytelling found in hanging pictures and hand-scribbled notes. The game offers extraordinary depth, secrets, and an entire second game’s worth of story to bring the mysterious world to life.

The Blue Prince game on a 14-inch MacBook Pro shows a first-person view of a magnifying glass over a note next to a portrait in a red-lit room.

Finalists in this category are D-Day: The Camera Soldier by TARGO; Detail: AI Video Editor by Detail Technologies B.V.; Pickle Pro by Resolution Games AB; and TR-49 by inkle.

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 lunar. With its easy onboarding and best-in-class Liquid Glass integration, the app lets users keep their eyes on the skies in a simple and intuitive way.

The Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker app on iPhone 17 Pro shows a split view of the night sky with the moon and a ground-level view of a road at night.

Game: Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden
Developer: Sago Mini (Canada)

In Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden, young people can plant seeds, harvest vegetables, and cook meals using an intuitive interface. Available on Apple Arcade, the game provides effortless swipe-to-move controls, letting kids keep their focus on exploring the joyful garden rather than reading instructions.

The Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden game displayed on a TV screen, with an Apple TV and Siri Remote in front, shows cartoon characters in a garden.

Finalists in this category are The Outsiders: Athlete Tracker by Gentler Stories LLC; Tide Guide: Charts & Tables by Condor Digital; Grand Mountain Adventure 2 by Toppluva AB; and TR-49 by inkle.

Social Impact

Winners in this category improve lives in a meaningful way and shine a light on crucial issues.

App: Primary: News in Depth
Developer: Wood Metal Rocks LLC (United States)

Primary shines a spatial spotlight on the news. Powered by a global team of experienced editors, its spatial interface, designed for Apple Vision Pro, is smartly organised and seamlessly integrated to help users thoughtfully engage with news.

The Primary: News in Depth app on Apple Vision Pro shows a grid of news story images floating in a living room environment.

Game: Consume Me
Developer: Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson (United States)

A deeply personal and autobiographic experience of a sensitive and emotionally moving topic, Consume Me balances gameplay with profound care. Its clever mechanics help users thoughtfully connect with feelings words can’t always capture.

The Consume Me app on a 14-inch MacBook Pro shows an overhead view of a game character in a cluttered bathroom.

Finalists in this category are Katha Room by Parjanya Creative Solutions; Harvee by Peak Labs Ltd.; despelote by Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena; and Spilled! by Lente Cuenen.

Visuals and Graphics

Winners in this category feature beautiful imagery, skilfully drawn interfaces, and top-notch animations with a unique and cohesive theme.

App: Tide Guide: Charts & Tables
Developer: Condor Digital (United States)

Tide Guide is a top-tier tide tracker that offers hour-by-hour forecasts and a crisp presentation of weather data that anyone can easily understand. The app’s full-screen charts are filled with custom animations, and the Liquid Glass integration, aquatic theme, and sky-matching palette create a polished and practical experience.

The Tide Guide: Charts & Tables app on iPhone 17 Pro shows tide charts and weather data.

Game: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Developer: CD Projekt S.A. (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. Its intricate interiors, character art, and vehicle designs feel technically demanding and genuinely lived-in.

The game Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on a 14-inch MacBook Pro shows a first-person view of other game characters in a shiny, futuristic setting.

Finalists in this category are Caradise by PSQV AB; (Not Boring) Camera by Not Boring Software LLC; Arknights: Endfield by Hypergryph; and SILT by Spiral Circus.

Media

Text of this article

02 June 2026

UPDATE

Apple reveals winners of ‍‍‍the 2026 Apple Design Awards

Winning developers in six categories will be recognised at ‍‍‍WWDC26

Today, Apple announced the winners of the 2026 Apple Design Awards, honouring 12 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. Winners were selected from 36 global finalists who all delivered exceptional app experiences. One app and one game were recognised across six categories, including Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics.

“This year’s Apple Design Award winners are a remarkable reflection of how developers are creating 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 celebrate these developers and are grateful for their commitment to enriching the lives of people everywhere.”

Meet the 2026 Apple Design Award winners and finalists.

Delight and Fun

Winners in this category provide memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences that are enhanced by Apple technologies.

App: grug

Developer: Ocho (Netherlands)

grug is a playful way to discover and embrace daily wisdom. The affirmation app provides a delightful way to read daily neolithic grunts. With just a simple idea, each prompt is thoughtfully delivered to offer users a small but meaningful moment of reflection.

Game: Is This Seat Taken?

Developer: Poti Poti Studio (Spain)

Is This Seat Taken? is a fun way to experience and solve tricky logic puzzles. The cartoon-style game provides entertaining scenarios, helping players navigate the quirkiness of public transit. Playful interactive elements within the game create a sense of charm to support users in enjoying 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 all by reflecting a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.

App: Guitar Wiz
Developer: Bijoy Thangaraj (India)

Guitar Wiz is an impactful 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 taking advantage of Apple technologies, including Dynamic Type, Increased Contrast, and Differentiate Without Colour.

Game: Pine Hearts

Developer: Hyper Luminal Games Limited (United Kingdom)

By rewarding good deeds in a wholesome world, Pine Hearts is a moving game for players of all abilities. The beautifully conceived experience makes use of accessibility settings, including enhanced text legibility, customisable controls, and adjusted motion and sensory feedback.

Finalists in this category are Hearing Buddy by Lilly Seay; Structured by unorderly GmbH; Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden by Sago Mini (Apple Arcade); and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII by Firaxis Games (Apple Arcade).

Innovation

Winners in this category provide a state‑of‑the‑art experience through novel use of Apple technologies that set them apart in their genre.

App: NBA: Live Games & Scores

Developer: NBA Media Ventures, LLC (United States)

The NBA app for Apple Vision Pro offers fans an immersive viewing experience with the ability to watch up to five live games at once, follow real-time player and game stats with floating leaderboards, and see player movements 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 mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and noncombat elements. The room-by-room structure is effortlessly engaging, with support for environmental storytelling found in hanging pictures and hand-scribbled notes. The game offers extraordinary depth, secrets, and an entire 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 B.V.; Pickle Pro by Resolution Games AB; and TR-49 by inkle.

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 lunar. With its easy onboarding and best-in-class Liquid Glass integration, the app lets users keep their eyes on the skies in a simple 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 cook meals using an intuitive interface. Available on Apple Arcade, the game provides effortless swipe-to-move controls, letting kids keep their focus on exploring the joyful garden rather than reading instructions.

Finalists in this category are The Outsiders: Athlete Tracker by Gentler Stories LLC; Tide Guide: Charts & Tables by Condor Digital; Grand Mountain Adventure 2 by Toppluva AB; and TR-49 by inkle.

Social Impact

Winners in this category improve lives in a meaningful way and shine a light on crucial issues.

App: Primary: News in Depth

Developer: Wood Metal Rocks LLC (United States)

Primary shines a spatial spotlight on the news. Powered by a global team of experienced editors, its spatial interface, designed for Apple Vision Pro, is smartly organised and seamlessly integrated to help users thoughtfully engage with news.

Game: Consume Me

Developer: Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson (United States)

A deeply personal and autobiographic experience of a sensitive and emotionally moving topic, Consume Me balances gameplay with profound care. Its clever mechanics help users thoughtfully connect with feelings words can’t always capture.

Finalists in this category are Katha Room by Parjanya Creative Solutions; Harvee by Peak Labs Ltd.; despelote by Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena; and Spilled! by Lente Cuenen.

Visuals and Graphics

Winners in this category feature beautiful imagery, skilfully drawn interfaces, and top-notch animations with a unique and cohesive theme.

App: Tide Guide: Charts & Tables

Developer: Condor Digital (United States)

Tide Guide is a top-tier tide tracker that offers hour-by-hour forecasts and a crisp presentation of weather data that anyone can easily understand. The app’s full-screen charts are filled with custom animations, and the Liquid Glass integration, aquatic theme, and sky-matching palette create a polished and practical experience.

Game: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

Developer: CD Projekt S.A. (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. Its intricate interiors, character art, and vehicle designs feel technically demanding and genuinely lived-in.

Finalists in this category are Caradise by PSQV AB; (Not Boring) Camera by Not Boring Software LLC; Arknights: Endfield by Hypergryph; and SILT by Spiral Circus.

Press Contacts

Orla O'Neill

Apple

o_oneill@apple.com

Apple Media Helpline

media.uk@apple.com

020 3284 6333

Copy text
Media in this article

Download all media