Adobe actually won’t discontinue Animate

Adobe has announced that it will not discontinue Adobe Animate, reversing its previous decision to shut down the animation software on March 1, 2026. Instead, the application will enter "maintenance mode," meaning it will continue to receive ongoing security and bug fixes but will not receive new features. Adobe stated that it has "no plans to discontinue or remove access" to Adobe Animate, which will remain available for both new and existing users (TechCrunch, The Verge). Initially, Adobe planned to discontinue Animate due to the emergence of new platforms that it believed better served user needs. Users were informed that they would have until March 1, 2027, or March 1, 2029, for enterprise customers, to access and download files from Animate, as these would no longer be available after those dates. During this period, the app would still be available for download, and support would continue (TechCrunch). The decision to maintain Adobe Animate came after significant backlash from users, many of whom expressed frustration and disappointment over the initial discontinuation announcement. Adobe Animate has a long history, dating back to its launch by FutureWave Software in 1996, and continues to be utilized by various creators, including David Firth, known for the animated web series "Salad Fingers" (TechCrunch, The Verge).