Remember Clips? Apple’s creative app for making short videos is officially being put to rest. The company confirmed that Clips, first launched in April 2017, just couldn’t find its footing. It struggled to gain traction in a busy social media world, a place ruled by huge apps like TikTok.
Clips’ Journey and Its End
When Clips debuted, it offered something fresh. Users could make short, square videos. They got fun effects, automatic captions, and other creative tools built right in. The app was designed to be lightweight and work well within Apple’s system. But a good idea and solid integration weren’t enough to attract a loyal user base.
Over time, Clips started to fall behind. It didn’t get many updates or stay relevant. Meanwhile, other apps focused on short videos advanced rapidly, always adding new features. Clips simply couldn’t keep up with the pace set by its competitors.
What Happens Now?
Apple states in an official support document that Clips will no longer receive updates. The company also removed it from the App Store. If you still have Clips on your device, like an iOS 26 or iPadOS system, you can keep using it. You can also export your videos to other apps.
However, Apple is clear: they don’t promise the app will work with future operating system versions. So, if you’re still creating with Clips, now might be a good time to save those projects elsewhere.
Apple’s Shifting Focus
With Clips gone, iMovie is now the only video editing app Apple officially supports for regular users. But even iMovie hasn’t seen much action lately. Its last big feature additions were back in 2023, with only small fixes happening in 2024. This quiet period for iMovie, combined with Clips’ disappearance, points to a bigger picture.
This move offers some interesting clues about Apple’s strategy. It shows where the company is putting its effort and money:
- Apple seems to be focusing on its core apps. They are prioritizing powerful tools essential to the system. This means fewer niche apps that aren’t used much.
- Clips never really took off. This proves that even big companies with lots of money can struggle. Competing in a crowded market like short-form video is tough.
- It also reminds us that not every experimental “fun” app lasts. The market often decides which ideas stick around and which ones fade away.