Apple has officially discontinued its Clips video editing app, marking the end of a seven-year run for the company’s social media-focused video creation tool. The tech giant has removed Clips from the App Store and confirmed it will no longer provide updates, signaling a strategic shift in Apple’s approach to content creation software.
What Happened to Apple’s Clips App?
In an official support document, Apple confirmed that as of October 10, Clips is no longer available for new downloads. Existing users can continue using the app on current or earlier versions of iOS and iPadOS, and can re-download it from their purchase history if needed. However, without future updates, the app will likely become increasingly incompatible with newer operating systems and devices.
Key Implications for Current Clips Users
Apple is actively encouraging existing Clips users to export their content while the app remains functional. The company recommends:
- Downloading all Clips videos to your photo library
- Exporting both original and edited versions with effects
- Transitioning to alternative video editing applications
This guidance appears in Apple’s official support documentation, emphasizing the importance of preserving user content before the app becomes obsolete.
The Rise and Fall of Apple’s Video Editing Experiment
Launched in 2017, Clips represented Apple’s attempt to compete in the social video space dominated by platforms like Snapchat and Instagram Stories. While not a social network itself, the app allowed users to combine photos and videos with filters, emojis, and music in a simplified interface.
As noted in our related analysis, early reviews highlighted Clips’ intentionally simple design, which some critics found limiting despite its clean integration with Apple’s ecosystem. The app served as both a hardware showcase and an alternative to emerging social platforms.
Why Apple is Abandoning the Clips Platform
Several factors likely contributed to Apple’s decision to discontinue Clips:
- Limited user adoption compared to competing video apps
- Shift in consumer preferences toward AI-powered video tools
- Strategic focus on core applications and services
- Evolution of video editing capabilities in native Camera and Photos apps
The timing coincides with growing interest in generative AI video applications like OpenAI’s Sora, which recently surpassed 1 million downloads and represents the next generation of video creation tools.
What’s Next for Video Editing on Apple Devices
While Clips is being phased out, Apple continues to invest in video creation capabilities across its ecosystem. The native Camera and Photos apps on iOS and iPadOS have gained sophisticated editing features, and third-party applications available through the App Store offer professional-grade alternatives.
For users seeking Clips-like functionality, options include:
- iMovie (Apple’s more advanced video editor)
- LumaFusion for professional mobile editing
- CapCut for social media-focused creation
- InShot for quick mobile video edits
Community Reaction and Industry Impact
The announcement has generated minimal surprise among Apple enthusiasts, with many Reddit users noting they hadn’t used the app in years or were unaware of its existence. This muted response underscores the challenge niche applications face in Apple’s expanding software portfolio.
As we’ve covered in additional coverage of Apple’s software strategy, the company frequently evaluates and retires applications that no longer align with its core focus or user demand.
