Apple has officially ended support for its social video app Clips, marking the end of an eight-year experiment in creative mobile video editing. The app, launched in 2017, was designed to make quick and engaging videos for social media. However, as of October 10, 2025, Apple has removed it from the App Store for new users.
Existing users can still use the app and re-download it from their Apple account, but Apple confirmed that Clips will no longer receive updates. The company also advised users to switch to iMovie, its more established video editing tool, and provided a link to its user guide for an easy transition.
A Promising Start That Faded Away
When Apple first introduced Clips, it drew attention for its simplicity and fun features. Users could combine short video snippets—up to 60 minutes total—add filters, emojis, animated posters, and even Live Titles that converted speech to text in 36 languages. It also featured smart soundtrack options, facial recognition for sharing suggestions, and social media integration.
Clips became a modest hit, earning between 500,000 and 1 million downloads within four days of release. Yet despite early excitement, it never broke into the App Store’s top 20 apps. Over the years, Apple tried to refresh Clips with updates such as Memoji, Animoji, 360-degree selfie scenes, and Cinematic mode support for iPhone videos.
Changing Times and Rising Competition
By 2025, Clips had become largely forgotten, overshadowed by newer and more advanced video editing platforms like CapCut and Meta’s Edits. These apps integrated directly with social media platforms, making standalone editors like Clips less essential.
While Apple’s decision to retire Clips signals the end of an era, it also reflects a broader industry shift. Social media platforms now include built-in editing tools, reducing demand for separate apps. Apple’s removal of Clips from the App Store is its way of acknowledging that the app has fulfilled its purpose and outlived its prime.
