Instagram announces its video editing app

Instagram has announced the release of its new video editing app, Edits, while TikTok, its rival social network, faces uncertain days.

TikTok, CapCut, and other platforms owned by ByteDance were banned in the United States overnight from Saturday to Sunday. Then, a dozen hours later, TikTok restored its service in the U.S., citing support from the new President Trump.

“A lot is happening right now, but whatever happens, it’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators,” said Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, on Threads.

Edits closely resembles CapCut, ByteDance’s video editing software. Among its features, the app will allow users to edit and share videos up to 10 minutes long and in 1080p resolution on Instagram. It will also offer generative captions and “overlay” effects, such as text, sound and voice effects, filters, and stickers.

For now, Edits is only available for pre-order on the Apple App Store. It will also be available soon on Android, Adam Mosseri assured. “In the meantime, we will work with a group of video creators to gather their feedback and improve the experience,” Instagram’s head specified.

Last spring, President Joe Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok and CapCut’s Chinese parent company, to divest its platforms before January 19. For several years, the U.S. government has considered ByteDance a potential national security threat due to its alleged sharing of American user data with the Chinese government.