Apple Discontinues Clips App - What You Need to Know

Apple Discontinues Support for Clips Video Editing App

Apple is phasing out support for its Clips application. The company has removed the app from the App Store and has indicated that no further development will be undertaken.

App Availability and Existing Users

According to a support document published on Apple’s official website, Clips is no longer available for download by new users as of October 10th. However, individuals who have previously downloaded the app will still be able to utilize it on their existing, or earlier, installations of iOS and iPadOS.

Current users retain the ability to re-download Clips from their Apple account if necessary.

Future Usability and Data Preservation

Given the cessation of updates, the long-term usability of Clips is expected to diminish. Apple is therefore advising users to download their created Clips videos – including those with applied effects – to their Photo Library.

This will allow continued access for viewing and editing using alternative applications.

Clips: A Brief History

Initially released in 2017, Clips was positioned as Apple’s response to platforms like Snapchat and Instagram Stories. It functioned as a video creation tool, enabling users to combine photos and videos with various filters, emojis, and musical accompaniments.

It was not designed as a social network itself.

Early Assessments and Potential

In its early stages, Brian Heater of TechCrunch characterized Clips’ video editing features as overly simplistic. He also proposed that the app could serve as a means for Apple to demonstrate its hardware and software prowess.

Furthermore, it could potentially offer users an alternative to emerging social media ecosystems.

Recent Update History

While Apple initially enhanced Clips with new functionalities post-launch, updates in recent years have been primarily focused on bug resolutions, as reported by MacRumors.

User Reaction and the Rise of AI Video

Responses from Apple enthusiasts on Reddit indicated a lack of surprise regarding the discontinuation. Many reported having only briefly used the app in the past or were previously unaware of its existence.

The emergence of generative AI video applications, such as OpenAI’s Sora – which recently surpassed 1 million downloads – may also contribute to the perceived obsolescence of an app reliant on user-generated footage.