Apple crowns its 2026 Design Award winners ahead of WWDC 2026

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Just ahead of WWDC 2026, Apple has announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, recognizing standout apps and games across the App Store ecosystem.

The awards span six categories, with Apple selecting one app winner and one game winner in each category. Apple revealed the finalists last week before announcing the winners ahead of its annual developer conference.

Here are the 2026 Apple Design Award winners

Delight and Fun

• App: Grug
• Game: Is This Seat Taken?

Innovation

• App: NBA: Live Games and Scores
• Game: Blue Prince

Interaction

• App: Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker
• Game: Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden

Inclusivity

• App: Guitar Wiz
• Game: Pine Hearts

Social Impact

• App: Primary: News in Depth
• Game: Consume Me

Visuals and Graphics

• App: Tide Guide: Charts and Tables
• Game: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

The awards arrive just days before WWDC

The Apple Design Awards have become a regular part of the WWDC season, highlighting apps and games that Apple believes deliver some of the best experiences across its platforms.

While the awards do not directly affect App Store rankings, winning apps and games often receive additional visibility from users following Apple’s annual software announcements.

The company had previously revealed finalists across all categories, with the final winners selected from that shortlist.

Developers behind the winning apps and games receive recognition from Apple for outstanding work in design, user experience, accessibility, innovation, and technical execution.

This year’s winners range from productivity and utility apps to games from both independent developers and major studios, reflecting the wide variety of experiences available across Apple’s platforms.

With the awards now announced, attention shifts to WWDC 2026 on June 8, where Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and new Apple Intelligence features.

Have you used any of this year’s Apple Design Award winners? Let us know which app or game deserved the recognition most in the comments below.

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