Apple's 2021 App Store Awards picked 15 of the best iOS apps and games on iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and even its Apple Watch, but the list of most downloaded iOS apps of the year paints a different picture.
Announcing the 2021 App Store Award winners, the Cupertino tech giant named Toca Life World iPhone app of the year, along with League of Legends: Wild Rift being the iPhone game of the year. Video editing app LumaFusion is the iPad's app of 2021, while MARVEL Future Revolution was crowned the iPad's game of the year.
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According to Apple's charts of most downloaded iOS apps and games of 2021 (via MacRumors), don't expect to see these award-winning apps top the list of free or paid iOS apps. While many are obvious, including TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram being the most downloaded free iPhone apps, some apps that made the cut may surprise you — such as Call of Duty: Mobile being beaten by Project Makeover.
Check out the list of most downloaded apps below, from free to paid iPhone and iPad apps.
Most downloaded free iPhone apps
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- Messenger
- Google Maps
- Gmail
- Zoom
- Amazon Shopping
Most downloaded paid iPhone apps
- Procreate Pocket
- HotSchedules
- The Wonder Weeks
- TouchRetouch
- Facetune
- Shadowrocket
- 75 Hard
- Dark Sky Weather
- Autosleep
- SkyView
Most downloaded free iPhone games
- Among Us
- Roblox
- Project Makeover
- Call of Duty: Mobile
- Subway Surfers
- High Heels!
- Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
- Water Sort Puzzle
- Shortcut Run
- Bridge Race
Most downloaded paid iPhone games
- Minecraft
- Heads Up!
- Bloons TD 6
- Monopoly
- Geometry Dash
- My Child Lebensborn
- Plague Inc.
- True Skate
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Incredibox
Most downloaded free iPad apps
- YouTube
- Zoom
- Disney+
- Netflix
- TikTok
- Google Chrome
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
- Gmail
Most downloaded free iPad apps
- Procreate
- GoodNotes 5
- Notability
- Duet Display
- Toca Kitchen 2
- Toca Life: Hospital
- LumaFusion
- Shadowrocket
- Affinity Designer
- Toca Life: Vacation
Most downloaded free iPad games
- Among Us
- Roblox
- Project Makeover
- Phone Case DIY
- Subway Surfers
- Hair Challenge
- Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
- Tiles Hop - EDM Rush
- Blob Runner 3D
- Bridge Race
Most downloaded paid iPad games
- Minecraft
- Bloons TD 6
- Geometry Dash
- Monopoly
- Five Nights at Freddy's
- Stardew Valley
- Plague Inc.
- Human: Fall Flat
- Ultimate Custom Night
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Most downloaded Apple Arcade games
- The Oregon Trail
- NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition
- Sneaky Sasquatch
- Sonic Racing
- SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit
- Skate City
- PAC-MAN Party Royale
- Cut the Rope Remastered
- Hot Lava
- Angry Birds Reloaded
There you have it. Apple Arcade has continued to grow its catalog of games, featuring brilliant titles including Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, Fantasian, The Pathless, and more. However, there is room for improvement, so here's why It’s time Apple gave a damn about gaming.
