Apple has officially discontinued its Clips video editing application, removing the social media-focused creative tool from the App Store and ending all future updates. The decision marks the end of a seven-year run for the specialized video editing software that allowed users to combine clips, images, and music with voice-based titles and graphics.
What Happened to Apple’s Clips App?
Apple has essentially sunsetted the Clips application, confirming through an official support document that the app is no longer being updated and became unavailable for new downloads as of yesterday. The company behind Apple Inc. has removed Clips from the App Store, though existing installations will continue to function for the time being.
Current User Access and Download Options
Users who already have Clips installed on their devices can continue using the application, and it remains available for redownload through their purchase history in the App Store. However, new users are completely unable to obtain the app through official channels. Apple’s documentation provides guidance on how to preserve existing Clips projects:
- Save completed videos to your photo library
- Export individual clips for use in other applications
- Back up projects before making device changes
Clips App Development History and Features
First released in 2017, Clips received regular feature updates during its early years, including several significant enhancements:
- Memoji and Animoji integration for personalized avatars
- LiDAR Scanner support for creating immersive AR spaces
- Expanded filter and graphics options
- Improved social media sharing capabilities
Despite this strong start, the app saw only occasional maintenance updates in recent years, signaling Apple’s shifting priorities away from the specialized video editing tool. For additional coverage of Apple’s software strategy, see our related analysis of Apple’s creative application roadmap.
Social Media Video Creation Alternatives
With Clips no longer available, users seeking similar functionality for social media content creation have several options. Apple’s own iMovie provides robust video editing capabilities, while third-party applications like CapCut, InShot, and LumaFusion offer advanced features for mobile video production. For professional creators, additional coverage of top video editing applications explores more sophisticated alternatives.
What This Means for Apple’s App Ecosystem
The discontinuation of Clips reflects Apple’s ongoing evaluation of its application portfolio and resource allocation. While the company maintains strong positions in photography and video with native Camera and Photos applications, specialized creative tools appear subject to regular reassessment. This move follows similar decisions with other Apple applications that failed to gain sufficient market traction.
