Instagram Unveils “Edits” Video Editing App on Same Day as TikTok Ban
On Sunday, Instagram launched a new video editing app called **Edits**, just in time for a nationwide ban of TikTok in the United States. Instagram head Adam Mosseri unveiled the app, set to provide powerful creative tools for video creators. The app will be released this February.
The decision comes as the United States banned a ByteDance-owned video editing app, CapCut, in addition to TikTok. National security concerns over the sharing of data with the Chinese government led to ByteDance’s platforms being pulled from U.S. app stores and hosting services.
Mosseri explained in a video announcement that Instagram’s goal is to empower video creators, regardless of the platforms they use. “It’s our job to create the most compelling creative tools for those of you who make videos,” he said.
Now available to pre-order on the Apple App Store, **Edits** is free and will be here officially by March, per its App Store listing. Mosseri also announced plans for the app to soon appear on the Google Play Store.
Created with the mobile creator in mind, Edits will allow users to:
“This isn’t for desktop users or template-heavy workflows. It’s for people who use their phones to create short-form videos,” Mosseri said. The first version will be incomplete, but Instagram will continue to add features over time.
Last year, President Joe Biden signed the federal legislation requiring ByteDance to divest its platforms by January 19, 2025, banning CapCut and TikTok in the process. ByteDance’s failure to comply led to its removal of apps including Lemon8 and Marvel Snap from U.S. internet hosting services and app stores.
While CapCut remains unavailable, TikTok has begun restoring service in the U.S., citing support from President-elect Donald Trump. TikTok thanked Trump for providing “clarity and assurance” to service providers, ensuring no penalties for keeping the platform live.
Trump, who will take the oath on Monday, plans to issue an executive order reversing the ban imposed on TikTok. He is mum, though, on bringing back other ByteDance apps like CapCut and Lemon8.
Since the future of TikTok is uncertain, and CapCut is banned, Instagram’s **Edits** will fill a much-needed gap in the video editing market. “Mosseri said the company wants to give creators “the most powerful tools” they need to capitalize on the increasingly popular mobile video content.”.
