Imagine a beloved app quietly disappearing from the digital landscape—this is exactly what has happened with Apple's Clips video editing tool. First launched in 2017, Clips was designed as a fun, accessible way for users to create short videos infused with music, text, effects, and filters, all optimized for sharing seamlessly on social media platforms. It became popular among casual creators and social media enthusiasts alike, offering a simple yet powerful toolkit to elevate everyday videos.
Over the years, Apple expanded Clips’ feature set, adding augmented reality (AR) capabilities—like laser effects, sparkle overlays, and other immersive elements—alongside more sophisticated editing options. These updates aimed to keep the app fresh and competitive, blending fun with functionality. However, as time went on, the pace of new features slowed considerably, and the app seemed to drift into a quiet lull.
Now, Apple has officially decided to retire Clips. The app has been pulled from the App Store, and its support page has been updated to clarify the situation: "The Clips app will no longer receive updates and will not be available for new downloads after October 10, 2025." If you’ve already downloaded it, you can still use it on your iOS or iPadOS devices, but it’s wise to start saving your videos—especially if you want to preserve those creative moments.
Apple provides clear instructions on how to back up your Clips videos to your Photos library, whether or not you’re using special effects. This precaution ensures that even if future OS updates cause compatibility issues or if the app becomes completely unavailable, your videos won’t be lost forever.
The end of Clips raises a broader question about the lifecycle of social media tools and casual video editors—are these apps just temporary trends, or do they serve a lasting purpose in digital creativity? And with Apple stepping away, what might this mean for similar apps in the future? Share your thoughts—do you think Clips’ retirement marks the end of an era, or just a natural evolution in the fast-changing world of mobile content creation?
