Apple Design Award Finalists Announced Ahead of WWDC 2026 - MacRumors
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Apple Design Award Finalists Announced Ahead of WWDC 2026

In preparation for the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference that is set to begin on June 8, Apple today announced its finalists for the 2026 Apple Design Awards. Apple picks top apps and games annually, and announces winners at WWDC.

apple design awards finalists 2026
The Apple Design Awards recognize apps with innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement in app and game design.

Delight and Fun - Apps

  • Blippo+
  • Metaballs
  • Grug

Delight and Fun - Games

  • PowerWash Simulator
  • Is This Seat Taken?
  • Ball x Pit

Inclusivity - Apps

  • Guitar Wiz
  • Hearing Buddy
  • Structured

Inclusivity - Games

  • Sago Mini Jinja's Garden
  • Pine Hearts
  • Civilization VII

Innovation - Apps

  • Detail: AI Video Editor
  • NBA: Live Games & Scores
  • D-Day: The Camera Soldier

Innovation - Games

  • TR–49
  • Blue Prince
  • Pickle Pro

Interaction - Apps

  • The Outsiders: Athlete Tracker
  • Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker
  • Tide Guide: Charts & Tables

Interaction - Games

  • TR–49
  • Sago Mini Jinja's Garden
  • Grand Mountain Adventure 2

Social Impact - Apps

  • Primary: News in Depth
  • Katha Room
  • Harvee

Social Impact - Games

  • Consume Me
  • Despelote
  • Spilled!

Visuals and Graphics - Apps

  • Tide Guide: Charts & Tables
  • Caradise
  • (Not Boring) Camera

Visuals and Graphics - Games

  • Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition
  • Arknights: Endfield
  • SILT

One app and one game will be chosen in each category, with Apple to announce winners during the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference. Winners will receive a physical award and hardware to help them continue to create apps and games.

Links to all of the apps that are nominated can be found on Apple's website.

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Top Rated Comments

Jdizzle188 Avatar
2 days ago at 12:47 pm
Hardly any of those icons are using liquid glass!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IceCool Avatar
2 days ago at 10:43 am

Oh no my app is not there... Damn Apple just sucks when they select apps, music or stuff...
I'm going to assume this is sarcasm.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Astuces iOS Avatar
2 days ago at 10:41 am
Oh no my app is not there... Damn Apple just sucks when they select apps, music or stuff...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2 days ago at 09:35 pm
Will try out certain apps and games from this list. Waiting to see the final winners.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)