Apple revealed 36 finalists for the 2026 Apple Design Awards ahead of WWDC, with three apps and three games competing across six categories. Some apps, including TR-49 and Sago Mini Jinja's Garden, appear as finalists in multiple categories, making the total number of distinct entries just shy of 36.

Categories span Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. Standout names include Civilization VII, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, and PowerWash Simulator. The finalists represent the best work on the App Store this year, with winners set for announcement in the coming weeks.

For consumers, this list signals which titles Apple considers its strongest creative work heading into the developer conference. Seeing heavy hitters like Arknights: Endfield and the AI-powered Detail editor alongside indie picks like Is This Seat Taken shows Apple's design awards now celebrate both polished mainstream hits and smaller inventive projects.