Apple officially announces the Best App of the Year award, with the visual AI planning tool Tiimo taking the top spot.

Apple officially announced the list of winners for the 2025 App Store Awards on Thursday, continuing its tradition of recognizing the best apps and games of the past year. The visual AI planning tool Tiimo won the title of Best iPhone App of the Year, reflecting the deep integration of AI technology from simple conversational interaction to more scenario-based applications, gradually becoming the core driving force of the mobile software ecosystem. Although Apple did not directly select a dedicated AI chatbot as the App of the Year in this selection, the application of AI technology is ubiquitous among this year’s winners. For example, the Best App of the Year, Tiimo, is described as a visual AI planner that uses AI technology to break down users’ tasks into practical schedules, assisting users with planning by estimating the time required for each step. The list covers all Apple hardware platforms from iPhone and iPad to Vision Pro and Apple Watch. In addition to productivity tools, the card game Pokémon TCG Pocket was named Best iPhone Game of the Year. The final list of winners was selected from 45 nominated apps and games announced in November, ultimately narrowed down to 17 winners, demonstrating Apple’s strict quality control over the software ecosystem. In addition, Apple selected several apps with “cultural impact,” aiming to recognize software that provides practical tools, promotes understanding, or advances a more inclusive world. This shows that while focusing on technological innovation, Apple continues to emphasize the contribution of the app ecosystem to social value. AI Features Deeply Integrated Although Apple avoided letting a single AI tool dominate the list, AI technology has become a key aid for many winning apps to improve efficiency. In addition to Tiimo, the iPhone App of the Year that uses AI for task breakdown and time management, the iPad App of the Year Detail also leverages AI to simplify video production. Its “Auto Edit” AI feature can automatically remove silence, zoom in on clips, and add titles and subtitles. AI integration also extends to health and reading. The Best Apple Watch App, Strava, has introduced an AI assistant that converts users’ workout data into in-depth analytical insights. StoryGraph, which won the “Cultural Impact” award, uses machine learning AI to provide personalized book recommendations based on users’ reading data. Another winning app, Be My Eyes, utilizes an AI assistant to provide visual descriptions of real-world images for blind and low-vision users. Cultural Impact Recognition Beyond technological innovation, Apple also highlights the social value carried by apps with its “Cultural Impact” awards. Winning apps have contributed in various ways to promoting understanding and building a more inclusive society. Notably, StoryGraph uses machine learning AI to provide personalized book recommendations based on users’ reading data. Another winning app, Be My Eyes, offers blind and low-vision users an AI assistant that describes real-world images in real time, providing visual assistance. Additionally, the list features the narrative puzzle game Chants of Sennaar, Focus Friend—a distraction prevention tool developed by Hank Green (also Google Play’s App of the Year), the casual puzzle app Art of Fauna, and the soccer game despelote, among others. List of Winners by Platform According to the final list released by Apple, the 2025 App Store Awards’ 17 winning apps and games cover all major Apple hardware platforms as follows: - iPhone App of the Year: Tiimo - iPhone Game of the Year: Pokémon TCG Pocket - iPad App of the Year: Detail - iPad Game of the Year: DREDGE - Mac App of the Year: Essayist - Mac Game of the Year: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition - Apple Vision Pro App of the Year: Explore POV - Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year: Porta Nubi - Apple Watch App of the Year: Strava - Apple TV App of the Year: HBO Max - Apple Arcade Game of the Year: WHAT THE CLASH? Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market involves risks, and investments should be made cautiously. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account individual users’ particular investment goals, financial situations, or needs. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article suit their specific circumstances. Investments made accordingly are at your own risk.