# Prune — Cultivate what matters

> A meditative game about growing and shaping a digital tree. (iPhone/iPad app by Joel McDonald LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prune/id972319818 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Joel McDonald LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/972319817)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Family, Puzzle
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 568 App Store ratings · 360 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 123 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-07-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prune/id972319818/reviews.md

## What is Prune?

~ Apple Game of the Year 2015 ~
~ TIME Magazine Game of the Year 2015 ~

Prune is a love letter to trees. A game about the beauty and joy of cultivation.

With a swipe of a finger, grow and shape your tree into the sunlight while avoiding the dangers of a hostile world. Bring life to a forgotten landscape and uncover a story hidden deep beneath the soil.

• A unique digital plant for your pocket
• Beautiful, minimalist art and a super clean interface—it's just you and the trees
• Meditative music and sound design for you to zen out to
• No IAP, no monetization strategy, no currencies
• Share screenshots of your unique tree creations with friends
• Synchronize progress across all your devices using iCloud

----- RECEPTION -----

"Unlike anything I've played before... the kind of experience I want to pull out to show my friends." - The Verge

"Wildly creative, totally addictive, and oddly soothing" - Entertainment Weekly

"Prune is a gorgeous and unique experience." - 5/5 TouchArcade

"Prune is an awe-inspiring work of digital poetry that transcends its initial subject material to explore a much larger, much more complex theme, in an articulate and powerfully moving manner" - 10/10 Pocket Gamer

"A collaboration that feels more like a dance than puzzle-solving." - Kill Screen

----- AWARDS -----

• Winner - Best Upcoming Game - 11th International Mobile Gaming Awards
• Finalist - IndieCade Festival 2015
• Official Selection - Brazil's FILE Festival
• Runner-Up - IndiePlus "Make Something Great" Contest
• Official Selection - Out of Index Experimental Games Festival

## Key features

- Grow and shape trees
- Minimalist art and interface
- Meditative music and sound
- No in-app purchases or monetization
- Share tree creations
- iCloud progress synchronization

## Chart rankings

- #59 in Top Paid · Family (US App Store)
- #119 in Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

## What do users think of Prune?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🌳 Beautiful, elegant design
- 🕹️ Relaxing, meditative gameplay
- 🎶 Calming, atmospheric soundtrack
- 🌟 Unique, artistic experience
- 👍 Simple and intuitive controls

**Cons**

- ⏱️ Levels can feel too time-sensitive
- 🤔 Unclear objectives and mechanics
- 🕰️ Game is too short for the price
- 🐛 Performance issues on older devices

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Progress reset after updates
- Unresponsive controls at times

**Most requested features**

- More levels and content updates
- Zen mode with no time constraints
- Level editor and sharing capabilities
- Improved tutorials and explanations

## Recent user reviews (10 of 360)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prune/id972319818/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Great game, poor optimization

*2026-05-22, version 1.1.6*

Let me clear one thing first- I love the game on Android. It feels so calm and peaceful, and the UI is buttery smooth. So I thought about buying and playing on my iPhone (15P). But the experience is complete opposite here. The UI is extremely laggy and the levels are literally unplayable. The game hasn’t been updated for 2 years, so maybe it’s not optimized for newer devices and iOS. I would love to give it a 5 star review, but not until this lag is fixed.

### 5/5 — Peace of mind in a cluttered world

*2026-03-13, version 1.1.6*

I should have written this long ago.  Of all the games and apps I have downloaded onto my phone and iPad, this is perhaps the only one that I come back to, time and time again, when I want to kill a few minutes, perhaps waiting for a bus, or waiting for another app to update.  The game play is as complex as you want it to be - there are definite goals, but no annoying time limits or irritating effects to push you towards completing the level.  If you just want to mess around and listen to the windswept landscape, you can, and the audio is very refreshing and enjoyable.  I cannot recommend this game enough, and occasionally look back to see if this developer has created anything else.  I hope there’s more like this in the works, either more levels, or a different (but similar feeling) game.

### 5/5 — 出会えてよかった

*2025-08-16*

数々のゲームをプレイしてきましたが、このゲームは無駄がなく美しくて本当に大好きなゲームです。世界観や音楽も最高です！！！！

### 5/5 — Really really beautiful

*2025-01-24, version 1.1.6*

I’ve never written a review for a game before, but I’m compelled to say- this is such a beautiful game. It’s so unique and so well designed. It may not be what you’re looking for, but it might be what you needed anyway.

### 1/5 — Nach der Aktualisierung funktioniert es leider nicht mehr

*2024-09-30*

In de Beschreibung steht leider nicht, welche IOS Version es braucht. Vielleicht ist mein iPad veraltet? Auf jeden Fall kommt nur kurz das Startbild und schließt sich dann sofort wieder. Schade, hätte mich auf die neuen Level gefreut. Sonst würde ich gerne 5 Sterne geben.

### 5/5 — It’s back!

*2024-02-07, version 1.1.6*

Omg! I have had this on my phone for years and kind of forgot about it but it used to be my go-to for some calming, meditative distractions. Cleared all the levels long ago. Now it is back with the first update in years (5 years). I am so pumped! Thank you for the update to one of my favs! It was worth the wait.

### 4/5 — Leider sehr kurz

*2023-12-07*

Das Spiel ist ungewöhnlich und gefällt mir schon deshalb. Allerdings ist es extrem kurz. Als der Abspann kam, dachte ich zuerst, es wäre jetzt nur die Einstiegsrunde zu Ende und nun würde es richtig losgehen. Dann kamen aber nur noch die paar Bonusaufgaben und dann war es das schon. Schade, fand ich recht kurz für‘s Geld.

### 5/5 — Para os amantes da natureza!

*2023-06-27*

Jogo relaxante e vale a pena!

### 4/5 — Лагает

*2022-11-04*

На iPhone 13 mini частота кадров по ощущением 10-15 кадров:( на IOS 16.1.
iPhone SE 2016 года на IOS 15 все прекрасного работало. Исправьте пожалуйста

### 5/5 — Great game - would be cool to have promotion support

*2022-10-14, version 1.1.3*

Overall everything is good and fun and enjoyable. It would be great if you add ProMotion support too.

## Frequently asked questions about Prune

### What is Prune?

Prune is a game focused on the beauty and joy of cultivating trees. Players guide the growth of a digital tree towards sunlight while navigating a challenging environment. It aims to provide a meditative and artistic experience.

### What are the key features of Prune?

Key features include the ability to grow and shape your tree with simple swipes, a beautiful minimalist art style, and a clean interface. The game also offers meditative music and sound design, with no in-app purchases or monetization strategies.

### How much does Prune cost?

Prune is a paid application. The description explicitly states there are 'No IAP, no monetization strategy, no currencies,' indicating a one-time purchase model with no additional costs or in-app purchases.

### What devices is Prune compatible with?

While specific device compatibility isn't detailed, the app is described as a 'unique digital plant for your pocket' and mentions synchronizing progress across 'all your devices using iCloud.' This suggests compatibility with iOS devices that support iCloud.

### What is the main goal of the game?

The main goal is to grow and shape your tree into the sunlight while avoiding hazards in a hostile world. Beyond this core mechanic, players are encouraged to bring life to a forgotten landscape and uncover a hidden story.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.6 — 2024-02-07

New levels! For the first time, there are 12 new, challenging levels to explore and perfect. You'll see them in the main chapter menu after you've completed the game.

Thanks so much for playing Prune and let me know if you have any issues or feedback at support@prunegame.com.

### 1.1.3 — 2018-05-24

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

-A handful of bug fixes (to prevent rare crashes)
-A few changes to ensure GDPR compliance

### 1.1.2 — 2017-11-16

A couple more iPhone X fixes/tweaks! Also fixed a small rendering issue. Happy pruning!

### 1.1.1 — 2017-11-03

Various optimizations and support for iOS 11 and iPhone X. Happy pruning!

### 1.0.68 — 2016-10-28

Fixed the game progress bug (hopefully for good). Really, really sorry for any frustration this has caused. This has been an elusive bug to fix, only affecting certain players on certain versions of iOS/Prune. 

NOTE: This update will not restore lost progress. If you've been affected by this, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll try my best to help.

-Joel (joel@prunegame.com)

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## More apps by Joel McDonald LLC

- [Prune+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prune-plus/id1585602549)

All apps by Joel McDonald LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/972319817

## Related topics

[prune](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/prune) · [prune trees](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/prune-trees) · [best new games](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/best-new-games) · [bonsai game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bonsai-game) · [aesthetic games indie](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/aesthetic-games-indie)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*