Google Play announces its best Android apps and games of 2025

Will Sattelberg | Nov 18 2025 - 7:00 am PT

As has become tradition, Google Play has returned to mark the end of another year with its roundup of the best Android apps and games from 2025.

Considering just how obsessed the tech community is with AI, you might be surprised to learn this year’s Best App winner is Focus Friend by Hank Green. Described as a “cozy, gamified focus timer,” Focus Friend combines the practicality of a distraction-free toolset with the playfulness of a Tamagotchi, all backed by the eponymous author and YouTuber.

Though that may look like a game, it’s not Google Play’s pick for the best game of 2025. That honor goes to a much more well-known property: Pokémon TCG Pocket. It’s an “authentic” port of the long-running trading card game, complete with a focus on beautiful new designs for its cards and built-in booster packs.

Google also gives out awards for multi-device apps and games, with best app going to Luminar and best game going to Disney Speedstorm. Luminar is our first hint of AI in this awards round-up, as its AI-powered photo editing tools look to target both Google Photos users and Photoshop users alike. Disney Speedstorm is the company’s mobile entry into the ever-crowded kart racing genre, taking the concepts behind something like Mario Kart but swapping in Disney characters and locations in Nintendo’s place.

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