Here are the best apps and games for 2020, according to Apple

It is hard to believe that we are finally at the end of one very long and challenging year. 2020 will definitely go down in history as the year when everyone was forced to find new ways to connect with one another even as we physically distanced ourselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Today Apple revealed some of the most popular apps on its platforms for the year that included the video chat app Zoom and the social game Among Us. Without a doubt, Zoom has become one of the most essential apps to emerge this year as it facilitates meetings between office workers working from home and even doubles as a virtual classroom for distance learning for school going children.

Another notable app with a social element is the game Among Us. Though it is one of the biggest games of 2020, the game actually launched back in 2018. With most people feeling isolated at home, this proved to be the perfect time for online multiplayer games like Among Us to capture our time and attention. The mobile version has also proven to be very popular as it is free to download.

If you are not familiar with the game, it basically has a group of between four and 10 players (known as Crewmates) working as a team to get tasks done on a space station. However, among them are a number of Imposters that will sabotage and kill the Crewmates.

That reflection on society in general is present in the most downloaded apps on Apple devices, be it the iPhone or iPad. On the Malaysian App Store, it was clear to see that some of the most downloaded apps reflect the times that we live in.

Apple also took time to recognise 15 apps and games that are notable for their cultural impact, helpfulness and importance. Here is the complete list of all 15 winners.

• iPhone App of the Year: Wakeout
• iPhone Game of the Year: Genshin Impact
• iPad App of the Year: Zoom
• iPad Game of the Year: Legends of Runeterra
• Mac App of the Year: Fantastical
• Mac Game of the Year: Disco Elysium
• Apple TV App of the Year: Disney Plus
• Apple TV Game of the Year: Dandara: Trials of Fear
• Apple Watch App of the Year: Endel
• Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Sneaky Sasquatch
• App Trend of the Year: Shine
• App Trend of the Year: Explain Everything Whiteboard
• App Trend of the Year: Caribu
• App Trend of the Year: Pokémon Go
• App Trend of the Year: ShareTheMeal

While Apple’s 2020 awards and most popular apps may be indicative of what is popular globally around the world, we took some time to check out which apps were most popular on the Malaysian App Store and the results are interesting to say the least.

People are definitely spending more time on social media but it turns out that they are not just consuming content, but they’re also getting creative on their phones. ByteDance’s video editing app CapCut (App Store, Play Store, Huawei AppGallery) was the most popular free iPhone app. The app allows users to stitch together videos and even add songs, effects and stickers to liven up their videos.

Staying connected is more important than ever so it comes to no surprise that WhatsApp is the second most popular iPhone app on the list as people seek to connect with family, friends and colleagues while staying apart.

But the third most popular iPhone app is a definite reflection of our times, in fact we can’t go anywhere without it. MySejahtera (App Store, Play Store, Huawei AppGallery) launched back in April this year, was designed to help Malaysian health authorities in its effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. To date the Ministry of Health said the app has helped authorities to detect 18% of total COVID-19 cases in the country.

On the lighter side of things, the multiplayer games have proven be very popular this year with ShortCut Run, PUBG Mobile and Among Us taking the top positions among free iPhone games.

That being said, you can check out the full list of the most downloaded apps and games below:

Top Free iPhone Apps

1. CapCut
2. WhatsApp Messenger
3. MySejahtera
4. Instagram
5. YouTube
6. Facebook
7. i-Akaun
8. TikTok
9. Shopee MY
10. iQIYI Video – Dramas & Filems

Top Paid iPhone Apps

1. Minecraft
2. iman Pro: Solah, Azan & Qibla
3. Football Manager 2021 Mobile
4. WatchChat 2: for WhatsApp
5. Rumi ke Jawi
6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
7. TouchRetouch
8. The! Aquarium
9. Yao Yao – Lompat Tali
10. Muse Dash

Top Paid iPhone Games

1. Minecraft
2. Football Manager 2021 Touch
3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
4. The! Aquarium
5. Muse Dash
6. RFS – Real Flight Simulator
7. Hitman Sniper
8. Real Drift Car Racing
9. Construction Simulator
10. Summer Games 3D

Top Free iPhone Games

1. Shortcut Run
2. Metro Diraja – PUBG
3. Among Us!
4. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
5. 真三国英雄传
6. Project Makeover
7. Homescapes
8. Genshin Impact
9. League of Legends: Wild Rift
10. eFootball PES 2021

Top Free iPad Apps

1. Messenger for WhatsApp Web
2. Zoom Cloud Meetings
3. YouTube
4. Google Meet
5. ShortCut Run
6. Google Chrome
7. Facebook
8. Among Us!
9. Gmail
10. Google Drive

Top Paid iPad Apps

1. GoodNotes 5
2. Procreate
3. Notability
4. Messaging for WhatsApp Web
5. Football Manager 2021 Touch
6. Human Anatomy Atlas 2021
7. Minecraft
8. LumaFusion
9. Forest – Stay focused
10. Affinity Photo

Top Paid iPad Games

1. Football Manager 2021 Touch
2. Minecraft
3. Tiny Wings
4. Infinite Flight Simulator
5. Stardew Valley
6. Smart Baby ABC Games: Toddler Kids Learning Apps
7. Teen Titans Go! Figure
8. Ticket to Ride – Train Game
9. 911 Operator
10. Dino Puzzle for Kids Full Game

Top Free iPad Games

1. Shortcut Run
2. Among Us!
3. Genshin Impact
4. PUBG Mobile – Metro Royal
5. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
6. 我的英雄學院：最強英雄
7. Roblox
8. Join Clash
9. League of Legends: Wild Rift
10. Welcome Baby 3D

Related reading