After backlash, Adobe cancels Adobe Animate shutdown and places app on ‘upkeep mode’
Adobe is placing on maintain its plan to discontinue Adobe Animate following intense backlash from its prospects after it introduced plans to close down the 2D animation software program amid an elevated focus on its investments in AI.
“We’re not discontinuing or eradicating entry to Adobe Animate. Animate will proceed to be accessible for each present and new prospects, and we’ll make sure you proceed to have entry to your content material,” the corporate wrote in a submit on Wednesday.
Adobe’s Monday announcement about discontinuing Animate was met with incredulity, disappointment, and anger, and customers aired considerations in regards to the lack of alternate options that mirror Animate’s performance.
The corporate modified its tune on Wednesday, saying there would now not be a “deadline or date by which Animate will now not be accessible.”
“Adobe Animate is in upkeep mode for all prospects. This is applicable to particular person, small enterprise, and enterprise prospects. Upkeep mode means we’ll proceed to help the appliance and supply ongoing safety and bug fixes, however we’re now not including new options. Animate will proceed to be accessible for each new and present customers - we is not going to be discontinuing or eradicating entry to Adobe Animate,” it mentioned.
One buyer, posting on X, had requested Adobe to a minimum of open supply the software program slightly than abandon it. Commenters on the thread responded with angst, saying issues like, “that is legit gonna spoil my life,” and, “actually what the hell are they doing? animate is the explanation an excellent chunk of adobe customers even subscribe within the first place.”
On Monday, the corporate up to date its help web site and despatched emails to present prospects saying that Adobe Animate could be discontinued on March 1, 2026. Enterprise prospects would proceed to obtain technical help by way of March 1, 2029, to ease the transition, the corporate mentioned on the time. Different prospects would have help by way of March of subsequent 12 months.
Adobe defined its resolution to discontinue this system in an FAQ, saying, “Animate has been a product that has existed for over 25 years and has served its goal effectively for creating, nurturing, and growing the animation ecosystem. As applied sciences evolve, new platforms and paradigms emerge that higher serve the wants of the customers. Acknowledging this transformation, we’re planning to discontinue supporting Animate.”
Studying between the traces, it appeared as if Adobe was saying that Animate now not represents the present route of the corporate, which is now extra targeted on merchandise that incorporate AI applied sciences.
What’s stunning is that Adobe couldn’t even advocate software program that may totally change what prospects are shedding with Animate. As a substitute, it mentioned prospects with a Inventive Cloud Professional plan can use different Adobe apps to “change parts of Animate performance.”
For example, it prompt that Adobe After Results can help complicated keyframe animation utilizing the Puppet software, and Adobe Specific can be utilized for animation results that may be utilized to images, movies, textual content, shapes and different design parts.
There have been hints that Adobe was headed on this route when no point out was product of Animate on the firm’s annual Adobe Max convention. Plus, no 2025 model of the software program was launched.
Earlier than switching to “upkeep mode,” Abode had meant for the software program to proceed to work for individuals who have it downloaded. Usually, Adobe charged $34.49 monthly for the software program, which dropped to $22.99 with a 12-month dedication. The annual pay as you go plan was accessible for $263.88. Now, the corporate says will probably be accessible to new customers, as effectively.
Some customers have been recommending different animation applications to make use of as a alternative, together with Moho Animation and Toon Increase Concord.
Up to date, Feb. 4, 2026, to notice that Adobe reversed its resolution and introduced the software program could be positioned in upkeep mode as an alternative of discontinued.
