Apple has officially completed its acquisition of Pixelmator, a leading developer of image editing software for macOS and iPadOS. The deal, initially announced in November 2024, has now received regulatory approval, marking a significant expansion of Apple’s software portfolio.
A Quiet Confirmation
Rather than a high-profile announcement, Apple confirmed the acquisition through a subtle change in Pixelmator’s applications. A new splash screen now greets users upon launching the app, stating, “Pixelmator Pro is now part of Apple.” Apart from this, no major software updates or feature changes have been introduced so far. Additionally, the Pixelmator privacy policy now redirects to Apple’s official page, further solidifying the transition.
What’s Next for Pixelmator?
Pixelmator users have expressed mixed reactions to the acquisition. Some fear that Apple might phase out the standalone app in favor of integrating its features into macOS’s native Photos app. Others remain optimistic, hoping that Apple’s resources will lead to enhanced development and new capabilities.
Apple has a history of acquiring software companies and either discontinuing their products or merging them into existing Apple services. Past examples include Dark Sky, which was shut down and folded into Apple Weather, and Primephonic, which evolved into Apple Music Classical. However, there are no indications yet that Pixelmator will suffer the same fate.
Implications for the Creative Community
Pixelmator has long been a favorite among designers and photographers as an affordable alternative to Adobe Photoshop. Its user-friendly interface, AI-powered tools, and seamless integration with macOS and iPadOS have made it a strong competitor in the market. If Apple chooses to maintain Pixelmator as a separate product, it could become even more powerful with deeper Apple ecosystem integration.
For now, users can continue using Pixelmator Pro, Photomator, and other Pixelmator applications without interruption. Apple has not made any official statement on future plans for the software, leaving room for speculation about upcoming enhancements or potential discontinuation.
Looking Ahead
Apple’s acquisition of Pixelmator signals its growing focus on advanced creative tools. Whether this means bolstering existing software or absorbing Pixelmator’s technology into Apple’s native apps remains to be seen. In the meantime, users should keep an eye on future updates to understand how this transition will unfold.
