- Instagram announced the release of its new video editing software, Edits, on Sunday.
- TikTok and CapCut, a video editing software, were legally banned in the US on Sunday.
- The first version of Instagram Edits will be available to download and use in February or March.
As TikTok tried to restore service in the US on Sunday, Instagram announced new video editing software with hopes of a February release.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced on Sunday – the same day TikTok was legally banned in the US – that Meta-bound Instagram will soon offer a new video editing software called Edits. Mosseri announced to Edits on the same day that CapCut, a mobile video editing software owned by ByteDance, was also banned along with TikTok in the US on Sunday.
“Now, there’s a lot going on in the world right now, and no matter what happens, we feel it’s our job to create the most compelling creative tools for those of you who make videos not just for Instagram, but for platforms out there like we can,” Mosseri said in his announcement video.
As of Sunday, Edits is only available for free pre-order download from the Apple App Store, but will become available for download on the Google Play Store over time, Mosseri said.
Here’s what you need to know about Edits.
Is TikTok back?The platform says it is in the process of restoring service
When will Edits be available for download?
As of Sunday, Edits is only available as a free pre-order download from the Apple App Store. In his announcement, Mosseri said the first version of Edits will likely be available in February, but the Apple App Store states an expected availability date of March 13.
What will Edits offer?
The changes will allow users to create and edit videos, share videos on Instagram, and keep track of Instagram Reels analytics.
The changes will allow the creation of videos up to 10 minutes long and with 1080p resolution, according to the Apple App Store description of the platform. The platform will also offer AI animation, generating titles and overlays such as text, sound and sound effects, filters and stickers.
“It’s not for people using desktop apps. It’s not for people looking for templates. It’s for people using their phone to make short videos,” Mosseri said.
The first version of Edits will be “incomplete,” Mosser said in his announcement, but will be updated over time.
Are the mods the same as CapCut?
No, Edits and CapCut are two separate video editing software.
Edits is owned by Instagram, a subsidiary of Meta, and CapCut is owned by ByteDance. As of Sunday afternoon, CapCut was not available in the US
Why is CapCut banned in the US?
CapCut falls under the same federal legislation that implemented Sunday’s ban on TikTok.
Last spring, President Joe Biden signed legislation into law requiring ByteDance, TikTok and CapCut’s Chinese parent company to take down their platforms by January 19. For years, some government officials have feared that ByteDance is a national security threat, concerned that the company is sharing US user data with the Chinese government.
Since ByteDance failed to distribute its platforms by Sunday, TikTok, CapCut and several other platforms were banned in the US, making it illegal for US web hosting services and app stores to distribute them.
More:What other apps are affected by the TikTok ban? Lemon8, CapCut, Marvel Snap top the list
Hours earlier, TikTok, CapCut and other platforms owned by ByteDance became unavailable in the US on Saturday night. But about 12 hours later, TikTok announced it was restoring power to its platform in the US, citing the support of President-elect Donald Trump. CapCut and other ByteDance-owned platforms such as Lemon8 had not been restored as of Sunday afternoon.
Trump, who will be sworn into office on Monday, recently voiced renewed support for “saving” the platform.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the TikTok Policy X account posted on Sunday. “We thank President Trump for the assurance and clarity needed for our service providers that they will not face no penalty by bringing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over seven million small businesses to thrive.”
Having previously supported a ban on TikTok, Trump told NBC News last week that he plans to issue an executive order on Monday, just hours into his second term, halting the ban. And in a Social Truth post on Sunday, the president-elect clarified that any company that helped keep TikTok alive before his inauguration will face no consequences.
Trump has not outlined any kind of plan to “save” ByteDance’s other apps like CapCut and Lemon8.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email it to gcross@usatoday.com.
