Apple just killed off its social media-free short form video app — did anyone even notice

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As far as Apple is concerned, Clips is officially dead

apple clips app logo on an iphone 14
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you remember the far-off days of 2017, you may remember Apple launching its "Clips" app. This was essentially Apple's take on Snapchat stories, or Instagram reels. It gave users the ability to create short-form videos from video clips and images, while adding things like music and filters on top.

Well now, as far as Apple's concerned, the app is dead. Not only has the app been removed from Apple's App Store, new support documents have confirmed that it won't be getting any more updates. You can continue to use Clips if it's already installed on your devices for the time being. But any new users will be left out.

The app is only usable as a video creation tool, and doesn't have any kind of social feed to share your creations with. The idea is that you'd use Clips to make your videos and share them to a different app — perhaps one that doesn't already have a similar feature built in.

Sadly, in recent years, it seems like Apple was content with simply rolling out bug fixes when needed — and it feels like even Apple knew Clips' days were numbered. Let's just hope it doesn't make a comeback as a production line for AI slop. We have too many of those already.

How to save your Clips videos

Apple iPhone 17 review.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

Apple's support document has detailed instructions on Clips closure, and it sounds like it might not work on future versions of iOS (iOS 27 and beyond).

While that may not end up being the case, it's always a good idea to keep backups of the stuff you've made on your phone, just in case. Here's how to save your Clips videos, with the effects intact.

  1. Open the video you want to save in the Clips app
  2. Tape the Share button in the bottom right
  3. Tap options
  4. Tap video
  5. Select all your other options, including Aspect Ratio
  6. Tap Done
  7. Tap Save Video

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Tom Pritchard
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

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