Apple Phases Out Clips App Amid AI Video Editing Boom

- Apple officially removes its Clips video editing app from the App Store, ceasing future updates. - The decision reflects a shift toward AI-driven creative tools across Apple’s ecosystem. Apple discontinued its Clips video editing app on October 12, 2025, marking the end of the standalone tool, which first launched in 2017. The company has removed Clips from the App Store and halted new updates, recommending that users save their projects locally due to potential incompatibility with future operating systems. This move aligns with Apple’s broader strategic shift toward integrated, AI-powered editing tools that offer advanced and seamless user experiences. Apple initially launched Clips to compete with Snapchat and Instagram Stories, and the app catered to casual creators with features like filters, text overlays, emojis, and music. While it maintained a niche following, its functionality stagnated in recent years as updates were limited to bug fixes. As a result, Apple now directs former Clips users to alternatives, including its iMovie software or third-party solutions like InShot and Google's Veo 3. This move foreshadows a growing shift in the mobile video editing landscape. This discontinuation highlights an industry evolution whereby AI-enhanced tools are now replacing simpler, standalone apps. These new tools can automate tasks like scene recognition, color grading, and sound optimization, and such advancements reshape user expectations and drive third-party developers to fill the gap left by lightweight editing apps. By adopting AI innovations, these developers can attract casual and professional editors alike. Apple’s decision mirrors broader industry trends, as core apps and platforms increasingly integrate basic video editing capabilities. For instance, apps like Instagram and TikTok, along with default gallery tools, now embed features such as cropping, filters, and effects. In a report on October 12, Cryptopolitan noted that Apple's choice to phase out Clips reflects its common practice, as the company often evaluates underperforming products and reallocates resources toward priorities with higher growth potential. Instead, Apple is focusing on professional-grade software like Final Cut Pro and embedding advanced creative tools into its Photos app. Through its "Apple Intelligence" initiative, the company's new AI-powered features enable on-device editing, an approach that emphasizes privacy and enhances personalization. This strategy underscores Apple's commitment to delivering streamlined, efficient, and integrated user experiences. Although existing Clips users can still access the app on older iOS and iPadOS versions, Apple will no longer provide future updates or support. The company's recommendation to use alternative solutions reflects its broader technological shift toward integrated, AI-driven tools. Meanwhile, third-party developers are stepping in to cater to casual editors who seek intuitive platforms. This shift marks a significant transformation in video editing, as users increasingly demand tools with sophisticated, user-friendly functionality powered by advanced AI.