Apple has just revealed the best and most popular apps of 2021, and if you’re looking for something new to download on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad, this list of top picks is worth a look. This year’s winners, according to Apple, include developers from around the world whose apps and games were chosen by its global App Store editorial team for delivering exceptional quality, innovative technology, creative design, and positive cultural impact.
Toca Life World, a game developed by Toca Boca, was named best iPhone app of the year, while video editing software LumaFusion was named best iPad app of the year.
Those who own a Mac should check out Craft, which allows you to create and edit documents across multiple devices – this app was named the best Mac app of the year.
Carrot Weather was named Apple Watch App of the Year, and Space Marshals 3 was named Apple TV Game of the Year by the panel.
The selection also serves as a subtle reminder, in the midst of a year filled with App Store backlash and upheaval, that developers are building long-term businesses on the App Store, and Apple has played a role in supporting that success, including through awards like these.
The award winners will once again receive physical App Store awards inspired by the signature blue App Store icon and set into the 100 percent recycled aluminum used to make Apple products, with the winner’s name engraved on the other side.
Apple, as usual, released its lists of the most downloaded apps of the year. The most popular apps in the United States are as follows:
Top Free iPhone Apps
- TikTok
- YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
- Snapchat
- Messenger
- Google Maps
- Gmail – Email by Google
- 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 Free iPad Apps
- YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
- ZOOM Cloud Meetings
- Disney+
- Netflix
- TikTok
- Google Chrome
- HBO Max: Stream TV & Movies
- Hulu: Watch TV series & movies
- Amazon Prime Video
- Gmail — Email by Google
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
Top Apple Arcade Games
- The Oregon Trail
- NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition
- Sneaky Sasquatch
- Sonic Racing
- SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit
- Skate City
- PAC-MAN Party Royale
- Cut the Rope Remastered
- Hot Lava
- Angry Birds Reloaded
2021 App Store Award Winners
Apps
iPhone App of the Year: Toca Life World, from Toca Boca.
iPad App of the Year: LumaFusion, from LumaTouch.
Mac App of the Year: Craft, from Luki Labs Limited.
Apple TV App of the Year: DAZN, from DAZN Group.
Apple Watch App of the Year: Carrot Weather, from Grailr.
Games
iPhone Game of the Year: “League of Legends: Wild Rift,” from Riot Games.
iPad Game of the Year: “MARVEL Future Revolution,” from Netmarble Corporation.
Mac Game of the Year: “Myst,” from Cyan.
Apple TV Game of the Year: “Space Marshals 3,” from Pixelbite.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year: “Fantasian,” from Mistwalker.
