AI makes way into best iPhone app of the year 2025: Here's the full list

In contrast to Apple's supposed push against naming a dedicated AI app among the best iPhone apps of the year, an AI-assisted visual planner has made its way into the best iPhone apps of 2025.

Cut to the chase, Apple has rolled out its annual App Store Award winners, listing the best apps and games of 2025, and this year's best iPhone app was Tiimo, an AI visual planner that transforms to-do lists into actionable plans with visual timelines.

Apple also announced winners across its other platforms, including Mac, Vision Pro, Apple TV, and Apple Arcade. The list of finalists was shortened from 45 to 17, recognising apps that focus on understanding and inclusivity.

Full list of best iPhone, iPad, Mac apps of 2025 

• iPhone App of the Year: Tiimo
• iPhone Game of the Year: Pokémon TCG Pocket
• iPad App of the Year: Detail
• Mac App of the Year: Essayist
• Cultural Impact Winners: Be My Eyes, StoryGraph, and others.

While it did not directly name a dedicated AI app as the app of the year, the iPhone maker highlighted the integration of AI across several winners.

Best iPhone game of the year 2025

In 2025, the award for the iPhone game of the year went to Pokémon TCG Pocket, while the iPad app of the year, Detail, simplifies video editing with an AI-powered “Auto Edit” feature that automates tasks like removing silence and adding captions.

Among the Cultural Impact winners, StoryGraph utilises machine learning to recommend books based on users' reading habits, while Be My Eyes is packed with an AI assistant providing visual descriptions for blind and low-vision users.

Besides, the Apple Watch app of the year for 2025 is Strava, which incorporates an AI assistant to analyse workout data and provide insights.