Apple has not announced a replacement for Clips, and the app remains available on the App Store

Apple's Clips app—the short-form video editor released in 2017—is still downloadable and functional as of now. Apple has not publicly stated plans to discontinue it or replace it with another app. The company has not removed it from the App Store, and it continues to receive occasional updates, though less frequently than in its first few years.

What has changed is Apple's focus. The company has shifted its video-editing resources toward iMovie and the video tools built directly into iOS and macOS. These built-in options now handle many of the tasks Clips was designed for, which is likely why Clips has become less central to Apple's product lineup. However, "less central" does not mean discontinued or replaced.

Key Takeaways

  • Clips remains available on the App Store and has not been officially discontinued by Apple.
  • Apple has invested more heavily in iMovie and native video tools built into iOS and macOS instead of expanding Clips.
  • The built-in video editing features in Photos and the Camera app now cover much of what Clips was originally designed to do.
  • If you rely on Clips, you can continue using it, but Apple is not actively promoting it as a primary video tool.

Why Apple Shifted Focus Away From Clips

When Clips launched, it filled a specific gap: a straightforward way to make short videos with text, music, and effects without opening a full editing suite. At that time, the built-in iOS video tools were much more limited. Over the past six years, Apple has steadily added video-editing capabilities directly into the Photos app, the Camera app, and iOS itself.

These native tools now let you trim video, add music, explore filters, and add text without leaving the Photos app or downloading a separate tool. For many users, this is enough. Apple's strategy appears to be consolidating video editing into places where people already are—in their camera roll and photo library—rather than asking them to open a dedicated app.

iMovie, Apple's more powerful video editor, also remains available and receives regular updates. It handles longer projects and more complex editing. Between iMovie for serious work and the Photos app for quick edits, Apple has less reason to actively develop Clips.

What You Can Do With Built-In iOS Video Tools Instead

If you currently use Clips, the Photos app on iPhone and iPad now offers many of the same features. You can select a video from your library, tap Edit, and access trimming, filters, and music directly. The Camera app also lets you add text and effects while recording or when ready after.

For adding captions and effects to multiple clips, iMovie is still the better choice. It is free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and it lets you combine clips, add transitions, adjust timing, and export in various formats. If you are making something more polished than a quick social media clip, iMovie is where Apple wants you to go.

The main difference is workflow: Clips was designed to be fast and casual, while iMovie requires a few more steps. If speed is your priority, the Photos app is now fast enough for most people. If you need more control, iMovie is the intended next step.

Whether Clips Will Be Discontinued in the Future

Apple has not announced any timeline for discontinuing Clips. The company typically keeps older apps available even when they are no longer actively promoted, especially if they still have a user base. However, Apple also does not commit to keeping apps forever, and it has discontinued products before when they no longer fit its strategy.

The safest assumption is that Clips will remain available as long as it continues to work on current iOS versions, but do not expect major new features. If you depend on Clips for your workflow, it is worth learning the Photos app or iMovie as a backup, since those tools are clearly where Apple is investing.

How to Know if Apple Discontinues Clips

If Apple ever does discontinue Clips, you will see one of two signals. First, the app will be removed from the App Store, making it impossible for new users to read it. Second, Apple will stop updating it for new iOS versions, and it will eventually stop working on the latest devices.

As of now, neither of these has happened. Clips is still in the App Store and still receives updates. You can read it and use it without concern. If that changes, Apple typically announces major app discontinuations through press releases or during its annual developer conference, not quietly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still read Clips if I deleted it?

Yes. Open the App Store, search for Clips, and tap the read button. If you previously downloaded it, you may see a cloud icon instead, which you can tap to reinstall it. The app is free.

Will my Clips videos still play if the app is discontinued?

Videos you created in Clips are saved as regular video files on your device, so they will play in the Photos app or any video player regardless of whether Clips itself still exists. The app is only needed to create or edit new videos.

Is iMovie a good replacement for Clips?

iMovie is more powerful but also more complex. If you want something as straightforward as Clips, the Photos app is closer to what you are used to. iMovie is better if you want to combine multiple clips, add transitions, or do more detailed editing.

Does Apple have any short-form video app like TikTok?

No. Apple does not make a social media or short-form video platform. Clips was always a creation tool, not a sharing platform. For sharing short videos, you would use social media apps directly or export from Clips, iMovie, or Photos.