On December 2, Apple shared in its Today section of the App Store on the iPhone and the iPad the 2021 App Store Award which focuseson the fifteen (15) best apps and games handpicked by Apple's global App Store editorial team. The quality, creative design, positive cultural impact, and innovative technology were the criterias considered in choosing the top apps.

Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, said, "The developers who won App Store Awards in 2021 harnessed their own drive and vision to deliver the best apps and games of the year -- sparking the creativity and passion of millions of users around the world. From self-taught indie coders to inspiring leaders building global businesses, these standout developers innovated with Apple technology, with many helping to foster the profound sense of togetherness we needed this year."

Apple's iPhone App of the Year went to Toca Life World. It was designed for children and allows players to make and create their own worlds and bring their stories to life. 

LumaFusion is Apple's iPad App of the Year. A famous mobile video editing app, it is known for being one of the greatest way to edit videos on an iPhone or an iPad using an extensive range of editing effects and tools. MARVEL Future Revolution was Apple's iPad Game of the Year while multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legens: Wild Rift took home the crown for iPhone Game of the Year.

A Mac app and game of the year, an Apple Arcade game of the year, and and Apple TV app of the year, the list of award winners can be found in the list below:

a. Mac App of the Year: Craft Docs and Notes Editor, from Luki Labs Limited

b. Mac Game of the Year: Myst, from Cyan

c. Apple TV App of the Year: DAZN Sports Streaming, from DAZN Group

d. Apple TV Game of the Year: Space Marshals 3, from Pixelbite

e. Apple Watch App of the Year: Carrot Weather, from Grailr

f. Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Fantasian, from Mistwalker

"Connection" is awarded as the trend of the year. A selection of games and apps that brought people together in memorable ways. Other apps acknowledge in this category are Among Us!, Bumble, Canva, EatOkra, and Peanut.

The App of the Year and Game of the Year winners will both be given a physical App Store award that is created after the design of the App Store logo.The award is made from 100 percent (100%) recycled aluminum with the winener's name engraved on its side.

For the most downloaded free iPhone app, TikTok was the clear winner followed by YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Procreate Pocket, The Wonder Weeks, TouchRetouh, and HotSchedules were the top paid iPhone apps. Disney+, Netflix, and Zoom were the popular free iPad apps while GoodNotes 5, Duet Display, Notability, and Procreate were the famous paid iPad apps.

Among Us!, Roblox, Project Makeober, Minecraft, and Heads Up were the top games on iPhone and iPad. For this year, Apple included the top Apple Arcade games. The top 10 lists for each category can be found below.

iPhone

Top Free iPhone Apps:

1. TikTok

2. YouTube

3. Instagram

4. Snapchat

5. Facebook

6. Messenger

7. Google Maps

8. GMail

9. ZOOM

10. Amazon Shopping

Top Paid iPhone Apps:

1. Procreate Pocket

2. HotSchedules

3. The Wonder Weeks

4. TouchRetouch

5. Facetune

6. Shadowrocket

7. 75 Hard

8. Dark Sky Weather

9. Autosleep

10. SkyView

Top Free iPhone Games

1. Among Us!

2. Roblox

3. Project Makeover

4. Call of Duty: Mobile

5. Subway Surfers

6. High Heels!

7. Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game

8. Water Sort Puzzle

9. Shortcut Run

10. Bridge Race

Top Paid iPhone Games

1. Minecraft

2. Heads Up!

3. Bloons TD 6

4. Monoloply

5. Geometry Dash

6. My Child Lebensborn

7. Plague Inc.

8. True Skate

9. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

10. Incredibox

iPad

Top Free iPad Apps:

1. YouTube

2. ZOOM

3. Disney+

4. Netflix

5. TikTok

6. Google Chrome

7. HBO Max

8. Hulu

9. Amazon Prime Video

10. Gmail

Top Paid iPad Apps

1. Procreate

2. GoodNotes 5

3. Notability

4. Duet Display

5. Toca Kitchen 2

6. Toca Life: Hospita

7. LumaFusion

8. Shadowrocket

9. Affinity Designer

10. Toca Life: Vacation

Top Free iPad Games:

1. Among Us!

2. Roblox

3. Project Makeober

4. Phone Case DIY

5. Subway Surfers

6. Hair Challenge

7. Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game

8. Tiles Hop - EDM Rush

9. Blob Runner 3D

10. Bridge Race

Top Paid iPad Games:

1. Minecraft

2. Bloons TD 6

3. Geometry Dash

4. Monoply

5. Five Nights at Freddy's

6. Stardew Valley

7. Plague Inc.

8. Human: Fall Flat

9. Uletimate Custom Night

10. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Apple Arcade

Top Apple Arcade Games:

1. The Oregon Trail

2. NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition

3. Sneaky Sasquatch

4. Sonic Racing

5. SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit

6. Skate City

7. PAC-MAN Party Royale

8. Cut the Rope Remastered

9. Hot Lava

10. Angry Birds Reloaded