OpenAI has started shutting down the Sora app, a move that marks a sharp pullback from its consumer video push.
Summary
- OpenAI started shutting down the Sora app and said timelines for users would follow soon.
- Reports said OpenAI is winding down more video products beyond the consumer-facing Sora app too.
- Sora grew quickly, but deepfake concerns and a stalled Disney deal added pressure over time.
On Tuesday, the Sora app account said, “We’re saying goodbye to the Sora app,” and added that more details would follow on timelines for the app, the API, and ways users can preserve their work.
The move came just days after OpenAI’s own help pages described Sora 2 and the Sora app as active products. A March 23 safety page said “The Sora 2 model and the Sora app” were available, while March 19 release notes announced new editing tools on iOS and web.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Chief Executive Sam Altman told staff OpenAI would wind down products built around its video models. Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, said that includes the consumer app and other video-related offerings as the company shifts resources to coding, enterprise tools, robotics, and broader AI goals.
OpenAI has not yet posted a full product blog on its main site explaining the broader change. Its current developer documentation still lists Sora 2 and Sora 2 Pro among OpenAI’s video generation models, which shows some public pages had not yet caught up with Tuesday’s decision.
Sora gained users but also drew criticism
OpenAI launched the Sora app on September 30, 2025, starting with invite-only iOS access before expanding further. The company described it as a new app for short video creation, while outside reports said it reached 1 million downloads within five days of launch.
The product also faced pressure over deepfakes, copyrighted characters, and other misuse concerns. The Associated Press reported that OpenAI restricted some public-figure content after protests from families and entertainment groups, while OpenAI’s own safety material said it used watermarks, moderation systems, and provenance tools inside Sora.
In addition, the shutdown also affects a planned Disney tie-up that had drawn market attention. The Disney arrangement did not close and that no funds changed hands, even though the proposed deal had included licensed characters and a large equity component.
