Apple Ends Support for Clips App as AI Shift Reshapes Its Video Tools
Apple Ends Support for Clips Video-Editing App
Apple has officially discontinued its Clips app as of October 10, 2025, removing it from the App Store and halting all future updates. Launched in 2017, Clips was designed to help users create short videos by combining clips, photos, music, and effects, aiming to compete with social video platforms like Snapchat and Instagram Stories.
Legacy and User Impact
Despite early enthusiasm and features such as Memoji support and AR effects, Clips struggled to gain widespread traction. Apple now advises existing users to export their videos to the Photos app to avoid compatibility issues, as Clips will no longer be supported on future iOS versions. While current users can still redownload the app through their Apple accounts, new downloads are no longer available.
Looking Ahead
The discontinuation of Clips reflects Apple’s shift toward AI-powered content creation tools and a focus on other software. With Clips gone, users may turn to iMovie or third-party apps, though iMovie itself has seen limited updates recently, raising questions about Apple’s future in consumer video editing solutions.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Apple
Apple Inc. is a leading American multinational technology company known for pioneering personal computing, mobile devices, and software ecosystems. Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Apple revolutionized technology with the first commercially successful personal computer and mainstream adoption of the graphical user interface (GUI), setting new standards in product design, user experience, and seamless integration across devices[2]. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple’s product lineup includes the iPhone, iPad, Mac computers, Apple Watch, AirPods, and services such as the App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud. The company has built a vast ecosystem that enables third-party developers to expand product functionalities, strengthening its market dominance. Apple is widely recognized for its innovation in hardware, software, and services, with an emphasis on aesthetics and privacy. In 2025, Apple committed to its largest-ever investment initiative, pledging $600 billion over four years in the United States to boost manufacturing, research and development, and advanced technology sectors like artificial intelligence (AI) and silicon engineering[1][3]. This includes new manufacturing facilities, expanded R&D centers, and a program called the American Manufacturing Program (AMP) to encourage domestic production of critical components. These efforts support over 450,000 U.S. jobs and aim to establish a robust supply chain within the country[3]. Financially, Apple remains a powerhouse with a market capitalization of $3.84 trillion and annual revenue exceeding $400 billion. However, in 2025, it faced challenges including a 19% decline in stock value, intensified regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice over antitrust issues, legal disputes related to the App Store, and competitive pressure in AI technology[1][2]. Despite these hurdles, Apple continues to innovate, recently updating its software platforms with a unified "Liquid Glass" design and expanding its AI-driven personal assistant, Apple Intelligence[1]. Under CEO Tim Cook’s leadership, Apple balances technological advancement
App Store
The **App Store**, launched by Apple in October 2008, is a digital distribution platform that revolutionized software delivery by providing a centralized marketplace for mobile apps on iOS devices. It allows users to browse, purchase, and download applications ranging from games and productivity tools to entertainment and educational software. Developers benefit from a global audience, streamlined app distribution, and monetization options such as paid apps, in-app purchases, and subscriptions. The App Store debuted with 500 apps and quickly grew, marking significant milestones such as reaching 1 billion downloads by 2009 and 10 billion by 2011. By 2012, it had paid out $5 billion to developers and hosted over 600,000 apps, solidifying its dominance alongside Google's Android Market (now Google Play)[1]. Its model introduced a rigorous app review process to ensure quality and security, promoting user trust. Key achievements include pioneering in-app purchases and subscription models, which transformed app monetization and supported sustainable developer revenue streams from 2013 onward[1]. The App Store's integration with Apple’s ecosystem enhances user experience through seamless updates, purchase history tracking, and family sharing features, making app management straightforward on iPhones and iPads[2][4]. Today, the App Store remains a cornerstone of Apple's business, contributing substantially to its services revenue and the broader app economy. It continues to evolve, supporting millions of apps and billions of downloads worldwide, while maintaining strict guidelines to protect users and developers alike. Notably, the App Store's curated environment contrasts with more open platforms, emphasizing quality control and privacy[1]. For users, the App Store provides convenient access to a comprehensive purchase history, including apps, subscriptions, and media, accessible via device settings or the App Store app, facilitating easy redownloads and subscription management[2][4]. This combination of innovation, scale, and user-centric design defines the App Store's lasting impact on the technology and business landscape.
