After years of limited updates and dwindling use, Apple has pulled Clips from the App Store — signaling a shift in how it sees the future of casual video creation.
Goodbye, Clips — Apple Quietly Pulls the Plug
Apple has confirmed it is discontinuing support for Clips, its lightweight video creation app first launched in 2017. The app is now removed from the App Store, and Apple says it will no longer issue updates.
- Effective October 10, new users can no longer download Clips.
- Existing users can still access and re-download it via their Apple ID.
- Apple is urging users to save their videos to the Photos app before compatibility issues eventually render the app unusable.
While the announcement didn’t make headlines, it marks the end of one of Apple’s more niche creative tools — and says a lot about where short-form content creation is heading.
Clips: A Short-Form Tool That Never Found Its Moment
Clips was designed to be fun, fast, and social-ish — allowing users to record short videos, apply filters, add text or music, and easily share them. Though it wasn’t a social network, Clips clearly took inspiration from platforms like Snapchat and Instagram Stories.
“It felt like Apple’s attempt to offer a path out of those social media ecosystems,” said TechCrunch’s Brian Heater in an early review, though he called its editing features “simple to a fault.”
Over time, Apple added new filters and stickers, but never transformed Clips into a true creator platform. Updates became increasingly rare, limited mostly to bug fixes.
Why Clips Faded Out
There are several likely reasons Apple decided to sunset Clips:
- Lack of user traction: Reddit users expressed little surprise, saying they hadn’t used the app in years — if ever.
- No social integration: Without a social layer, Clips struggled to compete with apps like TikTok or Reels.
- Shifting trends: The rise of AI-generated content — like OpenAI’s Sora, which hit 1 million downloads — has left traditional editing tools feeling a bit dated.
In short, while Clips encouraged personal creativity with real footage, the cultural momentum has shifted toward AI-assisted and automated content creation.
Apple’s Advice to Users
For those who still have Clips installed:
- You can continue using it on your current iOS or iPadOS device.
- You’re encouraged to export your creations to your photo library for future use in other apps.
- Once a future iOS update breaks compatibility, the app will likely stop functioning.
What Comes Next?
The discontinuation of Clips doesn’t mean Apple is stepping away from creative tools. In fact, the company appears to be doubling down on AI-powered user experiences through its upcoming Apple Intelligence features, set to roll out with future iOS updates.
Apps like Photos, Notes, and Messages will soon include AI-driven editing tools, smart prompts, and generative suggestions — eliminating the need for a standalone video editing app like Clips.
