Apple pulls the plug on Clips video editing app
What's the story
Apple has officially retired its Clips app, a decision that marks the end of a seven-year journey for the video-editing tool. The company confirmed on a support page that it will no longer be updating Clips and has removed it from the App Store for new users. However, existing users can continue using the app on iOS 26/iPadOS 26 or earlier versions.
App evolution
Clips was launched in 2017
Launched in 2017, Clips was Apple's answer to social video creation, offering filters, text overlays, and quick editing tools. The app was aimed at Instagram users and the general social video creation market before those platforms became dominant players. Despite regular updates over the years, Clips never really gained mainstream popularity beyond a niche audience.
User guidance
Apple recommends saving existing projects
While existing iPhone and iPad users can continue using Clips "for the time being," Apple hasn't specified how long this will last. The company recommends that users save their existing projects to the Photos app or elsewhere, hinting at a possible future removal of Clips. This is especially important for those who have old projects stored in the app.
App obsolescence
Why Clips became redundant
When Clips was launched, apps like TikTok had not yet changed the short video landscape. Today, every major social platform comes with its own powerful editing tools, often more advanced, social, and AI-assisted than Apple's standalone option. This evolution has made Clips increasingly redundant in the market.
Strategic pivot
What's next for users?
For Apple, which has shifted its focus to hardware-driven creativity and AI-powered features across Photos and Final Cut, keeping Clips alive didn't make much sense. As the app is phased out, users can transition their projects to other apps like iMovie, InShot, VN Video Editor, or GoPro Quik. These alternatives offer similar video editing capabilities without the need for Clips.