Apple removed Clips from the App Store and will stop updates, signaling Apple is folding creative features into iOS. Expect more on-device AI, Photos and Camera improvements, and pressure on third parties to adapt to built-in AI-powered automation.
Apple removed Clips from the App Store and published a support document saying the app will no longer receive updates, according to reports from October 10 and 11, 2025. The short form video editor, first released in 2017, remains usable on devices where it is installed but is blocked for new downloads. This App Store removal may point to a broader Apple app retirement 2025 pattern where creative features and on-device AI land directly inside iOS.
Clips was a consumer friendly video editor designed to make short form video creation fast on iPhone and iPad. As a standalone app it offered quick trimming, simple effects, and on-device editing aimed at social sharing. Over the past years Apple has alternated between shipping focused standalone apps and folding those capabilities back into core system apps such as Photos and Camera.
Several pressures likely shaped the decision to retire Clips:
For users, the short term impact is minimal if Clips is already on their device. In the medium term, expect similar or improved features to appear inside Photos, Camera, and iOS editing toolsets. Apple is likely to surface AI powered automation such as automatic clip selection, suggested edits, and caption generation inside built in apps rather than a separate Clips app.
For developers and third parties, this Apple app retirement 2025 pattern clarifies where platform level functionality may sit. When Apple embeds capabilities directly into the OS, third party apps that compete on basic editing or convenience face more pressure. Independent creators and pro tools may need to focus on specialized workflows, deeper creative controls, or cross platform integration to remain relevant.
Consolidation reduces the number of products Apple must maintain and accelerates deployment of iPhone on-device automation. Investing in on-device machine learning inside Photos or Camera scales better than maintaining many small apps. This aligns with broader industry moves toward automating repetitive creative tasks with AI, while keeping user privacy central through local processing.
Fewer standalone apps with overlapping capabilities can simplify privacy and security oversight and reduce fragmentation. On the other hand, it narrows the diversity of approaches on the platform, which may matter to power users and niche communities that preferred Clips interface and workflows. Creators wondering how to replace Clips should watch Apple’s updates and explore third party editors that prioritize specialty features or professional controls.
This decision follows a recognizable pattern in Apple product lifecycle management and mirrors trends in automation and AI. Platforms increasingly prioritize embedding AI and workflow automation into core experiences rather than shipping numerous point solutions. For businesses and creators the question becomes: will embedded tools meet professional needs, or will gaps encourage third party innovation?
Apple’s decision to retire Clips may be operationally small but strategically important. It signals a continued push to integrate creative features and AI powered automation directly into iOS and built in apps. Users should watch Photos and Camera for new editing and generative AI features, while developers should reassess where they can add unique value in a platform that bundles core capabilities.
