Apple has confirmed the final end of Clips, the lightweight app for creating and editing videos designed for the general public. After more than eight years in the brand's ecosystem, the retirement marks the end of a period in which fast and accessible editing had its own space in iPhone and iPad.
The announcement has materialized through an update on its support page: the app stop receiving updates and, from the 10th October 2025, is no longer available for new downloads on the App Store. Those who had it installed can continue using it, although Apple warns that this withdrawal will be gradual and without long-term guarantees regarding future versions of iOS and iPadOS.
What changes from now on
The company details a transition scenario in which current users maintain access, but with clear limitationsThis is the essential thing to keep in mind to avoid surprises.
- New users: Clips is no longer available for download from the App Store.
- Existing users: You can continue to use the app and redownload it from your purchase history, but without further updates.
- Future Compatibility: Apple does not guarantee its operation with future versions of the system; they may appear incompatibilities.
- Official recommendation: export videos to your camera roll (Photos) to avoid loss in case the app becomes unusable in the future.
What was Clips and what did it contribute?
Born in 2017, Clips opted for a mobile edition fast and casual, with tools for editing clips, applying filters, music, and animated captions with a couple of taps. Its approach was intended to fit in with the rise of short-form content for social media.
Among its most striking functions were the Live Titles (automatic on-screen subtitles based on voice), effects with Memoji and Animoji, in addition to scenes and elements of augmented reality taking advantage of the scanner LiDAR on compatible devices. In its early days, it prioritized the square format, very much in line with the social aesthetics of the time.
Over time, the pace of new releases slowed. In recent years, Clips has received mostly minor fixes and stability tweaks, without any major new features that would give it back traction against the competition.
Why it didn't catch on against TikTok and Instagram
The market moved very quickly: social platforms integrated increasingly powerful editors and it became more natural edit and publish in the same appIn that context, a standalone tool like Clips lost its appeal for everyday use by most people.
It also became clear how difficult it is to sustain a companion app when many of its features become standard within the networks themselvesThis convergence has reduced the space available to Apple's proposal in the short video space.
What to do if you're still using Clips
If you're still working with projects in Clips, Apple's recommendation is save your videos as soon as possible. The idea is to avoid surprises if a future system update stops supporting a key component.
- Open each project and export it as a video to your camera roll (Photos app) to keep a final copy.
- If you want to keep effects, labels and music, check that the exported result includes them correctly and, if necessary, edits the audio in a online audio editor.
- Consider saving duplicates to a cloud service or on your computer for extra security. to maximise security and your enjoyment..
In case you had deleted the app, it is possible re-download it from your account's purchase history, provided you've used it previously. However, keep in mind that you won't receive updates.
Alternatively, iMovie remains available for conventional editions on iPhone and iPad; you may also consider Final Cut Pro for more professional flows. However, it does not receive draft improvements Since 2023 and in December 2024, it has been limited to minor fixes, so you may want to consider third-party options or the tools integrated into social networks.
Quick timeline of the app
- 2017: launch of Clips with a focus on short videos, filters, and Live Titles.
- Evolution: Memoji/Animoji integration, new filters and augmented reality effects with LiDAR support.
- Recent years: low update rate, with minor improvements and stability fixes.
- October 10, 2025: End of new downloads and cessation of updates, maintaining access for existing users.
A step change in mobile video strategy
Clips retirement suggests a realignment: Apple appears to be focusing efforts on more generalists or professionals (such as iMovie or advanced suites on their platforms), while express editing is increasingly being resolved within the social apps themselves.
For casual content creators, editing directly in the content may be most convenient. TikTok or Instagram, which already incorporate templates, music, and effects tailored to their formats. Those who prefer a more classic flow can use iMovie or other third-party editors available on the App Store.
With this decision, Apple closes a period in which it tried to bring publishing closer to anyone with an iPhone or iPad. projects exported safely, alternatives with a long history and evidence that the consumption—and creation—of short videos has shifted towards tools integrated into the platforms where they are ultimately published.
