It’s hard to believe Apple’s App Store is celebrating its 15th anniversary. During those years, it’s grown from a single platform for the iPhone to one that works with nearly every Apple product from the MacBook Air to the Apple Watch.
Although the App Store boasts nearly 2 million apps, Apple’s curated recommendations and daily editorials on the platform make it easy to find new ones. And at the end of each year, Apple honors a handful of apps and developers with an App Store Best of 2020 award.
This year’s pool of winners is Apple’s most diverse ever, showcasing companies and developers that offer meaningful solutions to keep us connected, healthy, and organized. Here are the winners of the App Store Best of 2020 awards.
iPhone App of the Year
Wakeout!
Wakeout encourages fun and brief physical activities throughout the day. The app is an easy way to stay active for people who are limited to outdoor activities or working at home.
iPhone Game of the Year
Genshin Impact
If you’re dying to (virtually) explore the unknown, role-playing game Genshin Impact transports you to a fantastical world where magic is at every turn; no need to leave home.
iPad App of the Year
Zoom Cloud Meetings
Once the go-to virtual meeting source for large companies, Zoom quickly became a safe way to connect with loved ones during the pandemic. This enterprise-fcoused app responded to the increased need for video-based interaction and added features like Zoom for Home and its On Zoom events platform throughout the year.
iPad Game of the Year
Legends of Runeterra
Looking for a game that offers some serious mental stimulation? Legends of Runterra is a multi-player card game that requires equal amounts of cunning and strategy to choose characters and cards from different regions in order to gain abilities and overcome your opponents.
Mac App of the Year
Fantastical
When it comes to powerful calendar apps, Fantastical is hard to beat. A longtime App Store favorite, Fantastical quickly adapted to our new work-from-home reality in 2020. With apps for just about every Apple product, Fantastical allows you to quickly add appointments using natural language, and even scrapes your emails to add in virtual meeting links with no fuss.
Apple TV App of the Year
Disney+
In a year when there was no shortage of new video streaming platforms, Disney+ stood out amongst the competition. This subscription app offers favorites from Disney, 21st Century Fox, and a handful of other networks, as well as original scripted shows like The Mandalorian.
Apple TV Game of the Year
Dandara Trials of Fear
Join Dandara as she attempts to save the people of Salt. The heroine, birthed from light, embarks on a journey through Salt and encounters an odd cast of characters, fights oppressors, and learns valuable secrets along the way.
Apple Watch App of the Year
Endel
If the world has you on edge, you’ll want to download Endel for the Apple Watch. This app offers personalized soundscapes to help you calm down, focus, and have a good night’s sleep. Deceptively simple, Endel is a powerful way to find some peace during or after a hectic day.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year
Sneaky Sasquatch
Looking for a lo-fi escape that allows you to have fun without a lot of effort? Sneaky Sasquatch is a simple and fun game that allows you to wander around campsites, steal food from unsuspecting campers, and create a little light-hearted havoc.
Trend of the Year
In 2020, Apple noticed a growing trend of apps intended to enrich and simplify our lives. According to Apple, five apps went the extra mile to earn an App Trend of the Year award.
Shine
Shine offers an integrated self-care solution that puts representation first. From meditation to inclusive communities, the app features an array of easy-to-access resources that make wellness a priority.
Explain Everything Whiteboard
There’s nothing quite like a whiteboard for brainstorming and collaboration. But in a time where we can’t just grab a marker and add notes, Explain Everything Whiteboard offers a digital way to map out complex ideas, from creating animations to collaborating with others around the globe. And if you want to share your thoughts with a larger audience, you can embed your whiteboard into dozens of applications and websites.
Caribu
Most people agree that remote learning is not an ideal situation for parents. Fortunately, Caribu makes things a little more bearable for parents and a lot more fun for children. This video-calling app offers a variety of interactive educational experiences for children.
ShareTheMeal
For many families, food insecurity became a serious concern in 2020. ShareTheMeal, from the United Nations World Food Program, allows you to donate meals without leaving your home.
Pokémon Go
With over one billion downloads, Pokémon Go needs no introduction. For the past several years, the AR game has allowed users to catch and train characters in real-world locations. This year, however, Niantic made significant changes to the app that allowed players to stay connected and engaged even when they weren’t able to travel far from home.
Winners receive a physical App Store Best of 2020 award inspired by the App Store logo and crafted out the same recycled aluminum Apple uses for its hardware.
