Apple Creative Studio icons are ‘unique’ and not for all standalone purchase apps - 9to5Mac
January 14, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Apple has clarified how its new Apple Creative Studio icons work after mixed reactions online. The bold icon set is exclusive to the subscription versions of its pro apps and will not replace icons for standalone, one-time purchase editions.
What this means for users:
- You can install both the subscription and standalone versions of supported apps on the same Mac.
- Apple Creative Studio apps use unique icons to make them easy to identify at a glance.
- One-time purchase apps remain supported, while some AI-powered features are reserved for the subscription.
Apps covered:
- Final Cut Pro
- Motion
- Compressor
- Logic Pro
- MainStage
- Pixelmator Pro
Launch timing: Apple Creative Studio rolls out on January 28.
Bottom line: If you prefer to keep your existing standalone apps, you can—and you’ll be able to run them alongside the subscription versions, with the distinctive icons serving as a clear visual cue.
Back…