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

This year’s winners included development teams from around the world, whose work demonstrated innovation, artistry, and technical excellence in app and game design. The winners were selected from 36 global finalists, all of whom delivered exceptional app experiences. One app and one game were recognized in each of the six categories: Fun & Impressive, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visual Graphics.

Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, said: “This year’s Apple Design Awards winners beautifully reflect how developers create exceptional experiences. Whether through intuitive features or engaging gameplay, these apps and games represent the very best our platform has to offer. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate these developers and appreciate their commitment to enriching people’s lives everywhere.”

See the winners and finalists for the 2026 Apple Design Awards.

Fun and Impressive: Winners in this category offer memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences, enhanced by Apple technologies.

The Grug app is a playful way to discover and embrace everyday wisdom. The Affirmations app offers a fun way to read everyday Neolithic sounds. With a simple concept, each message is carefully presented to give users a small but meaningful moment to reflect.

Is This Seat Taken? offers a fun way to experience and solve challenging logic puzzles. The cartoon-themed game provides amusing scenarios, helping players navigate the oddities of public transportation. The playful, interactive elements within the game create a sense of magic, supporting users in enjoying a relaxing ride, seat by seat.

Inclusivity: Winners in this category offer a great experience for everyone by reflecting a diverse range of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.

Pine Hearts rewards good deeds in a positive world and is an impactful game for players of all abilities. The thoughtfully designed experience benefits from accessibility settings, including enhanced text clarity, customizable controls, motion adjustments, and haptic feedback.

Innovation: Winners in this category offer a cutting-edge experience through innovative use of Apple technologies that set them apart in their field.