Nearly two years after launching exclusively on Android, Google is preparing to bring its mobile video editing app, YouTube Create, to iOS devices.
According to job listings reviewed by TechCrunch, the company is actively hiring software engineers in Bengaluru, India, specifically for iOS development of the app.
Launched in September 2023, YouTube Create was Google’s answer to ByteDance’s popular CapCut editor. The app offers free tools like stickers, GIFs, transitions, and effects tailored for both Shorts and longer YouTube videos. While the Android version expanded to more than 20 markets by early 2024, it has yet to see significant traction in the highly competitive mobile editing space.
Despite its potential, YouTube Create has struggled to match its rivals in terms of downloads and engagement. In Q2 2025, CapCut racked up 66 million downloads on Android and boasted over 442 million monthly active users. In comparison, YouTube Create saw fewer than 500,000 downloads and fewer than 1 million monthly active users. On iOS, where the app is yet to launch, CapCut leads with 194 million monthly active users, followed by InShot with 25 million.
Still, there are signs of momentum. YouTube Create’s user base grew 28% year-over-year in Q2 — a faster rate than CapCut’s 9% growth and InShot’s 7% decline. However, retention remains a major challenge. Just 1% of users still used YouTube Create 90 days after downloading it, compared to 7% for CapCut and 4% for InShot.
Geographically, India continues to be the strongest market for YouTube Create, followed by Indonesia, Germany, Brazil, and the U.K. The app is also seeing surging growth in countries like Spain, South Korea, and France. Google has yet to comment on the iOS rollout, but if successful, it could help YouTube Create tap into a broader creator base, though stiff competition remains a major hurdle.
