End of the Line: Apple Officially Ends Updates

With the imminent arrival of Pixelmator Pro on the iPad by Apple, the original Pixelmator app on the iPhone and iPad is being left behind. While the original app will continue to be available on the App Store, Apple has confirmed that it will not receive any further updates.

Pixelmator, a company that originated in Lithuania, first made waves in 2007 with the release of its Mac photo-editing app. Over the years, it expanded to the iPad and iPhone, with Pixelmator Pro eventually becoming a powerhouse on the Mac platform. Despite this progress, the original Pixelmator app for iOS has now been overshadowed.

Pixelmator was known for embracing Apple’s latest technologies early on. When Pixelmator Pro 2.0 added Apple Silicon support, it was well ahead of Adobe’s Photoshop in doing so. The acquisition of Pixelmator by Apple in 2024 hinted at the tech giant’s creative ambitions, leading to speculations about a potential Creative Studio bundle.

Pixelmator Pro’s upcoming debut on the iPad completes Apple’s creative collection, rendering the original Pixelmator for iOS, now dubbed “Pixelmator Classic,” somewhat obsolete. While Pixelmator Classic will continue to function on the App Store, Apple has confirmed that no further updates are planned.

While Pixelmator Classic will continue to function on iPhones for now, its future is uncertain. The possibility of compatibility issues arising in future iOS updates could lead to its removal from the App Store. Apple’s focus on iPad-centric apps like Pixelmator Pro suggests that the iPhone may not receive a similar professional editing tool.

Although Pixelmator Pro for iPad shows promise, it is limited to newer and higher-end iPad models, excluding older devices. This shift also reflects Apple’s move towards subscription-based models for its creative suite, departing from the traditional one-time purchase approach.

While Pixelmator’s future is uncertain, Photomator, another app by the company, remains unaffected and available for separate purchase on the App Store.