Introduction
Snagfilms was a popular free movie streaming app available for iOS devices that allowed users to watch a wide selection of documentaries, indie films, and other video content without a subscription. At its peak, the Snagfilms iOS app had over 5 million users who enjoyed the convenience of streaming free movies right on their iPhones and iPads.
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However, in 2020 Snagfilms shut down all of its operations. This means the Snagfilms iOS app is no longer available for download in the App Store and the service no longer works.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of the Snagfilms iOS app, whether it is still safe to use, and some alternative free movie apps available for iOS devices today.
Overview of Snagfilms
Snagfilms was founded in 2007 as an ad-supported platform for documentary and independent film streaming. The service offered users thousands of titles to watch for free, with advertising breaks included.
In addition to the online platform, Snagfilms also had mobile apps for iOS, Android, and other devices. The Snagfilms iOS app was launched in 2012 and quickly gained popularity as a way for Apple users to stream free movies on the go.
At its height, the Snagfilms library included over 10,000 titles. The service focused primarily on documentary films, but also licensed some indie narrative movies and TV shows. The iOS app allowed offline viewing for some titles, and integrated with AirPlay for easy streaming to the TV.
The Shutdown of Snagfilms in 2020
In early 2020, Snagfilms suddenly announced it would be shutting down all operations and ending service later that year. The company said this was due to changes in the streaming video landscape that made their ad-supported model unsustainable.
By mid-2020, the Snagfilms website and all apps stopped working. The Snagfilms iOS app was removed from the App Store. After over 13 years in business, Snagfilms had ceased operations.
This shutdown rendered the Snagfilms iOS app obsolete. Even users who still had the app installed found that it no longer functioned, as there were no working servers to provide film streams.
Is the Snagfilms iOS App Safe to Use?
With the shutdown of all Snagfilms services in 2020, the Snagfilms iOS app is no longer functional and has been removed from the App Store. So there is no way to download or use the Snagfilms iOS app today.
If you still have the old Snagfilms app installed on an iOS device, it won’t work. You’ll get errors if you try to use it to stream movies. The servers and infrastructure powering the app no longer exist.
So in summary:
- The Snagfilms iOS app cannot be downloaded, as it has been removed from the App Store
- On devices that still have the app installed from before the shutdown, it does not work anymore
- There are no security risks to having the non-functional app still installed, but it will not allow you to stream any video content
- There is no reason to use the old Snagfilms app, since the service has been discontinued
For these reasons, it is not possible or advisable to rely on the Snagfilms iOS app for free movie streaming. Even if you still have the app, it won’t work.
Alternatives for Free Movie Streaming on iOS
Although Snagfilms is no longer an option, there are plenty of other free movie apps available for the iPhone, iPad, and other iOS devices today. Here are some of the top alternatives to consider for watching free movies:
1. The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is a free streaming app from the makers of the popular Roku streaming devices. It offers free on-demand movies and TV without needing a Roku device to use it. You can install The Roku Channel app on iOS and watch a large selection of films.
2. Tubi
Tubi is one of the most popular free movie streaming apps on iOS. It offers thousands of movie and TV titles, all available to stream for free. The app is well-designed and easy to use. Content on Tubi includes classics, indies, and some exclusive originals.
3. Pluto TV
Pluto TV operates on an on-demand and live TV model. The iOS app lets you stream from a library of free movies, or watch curated live channels. This gives you a more traditional lean-back viewing experience. They incorporate movies, news, sports, and more.
4. IMDb TV
From the makers of IMDb, this free streaming video app for iOS has a solid selection of movies available to watch at no cost. You’ll find major studio films and some original content. IMDb TV features ads to support the free content.
5. Crackle
Crackle comes from Sony Pictures, offering an ad-supported library of Hollywood movies, TV shows, and some originals. You can install the Crackle app on iPhone or iPad and stream a variety of titles for free.
6. Popcornflix
Popcornflix has a nice selection of free ad-supported films you can watch without signing up. It features indie movies, documentaries, classics, and more. The iOS app makes it easy to stream over WiFi or mobile data.
7. Vudu
Vudu may be better known for its rental/purchase options, but it also offers a selection of free movies with ads. You can install the Vudu app on iOS to take advantage.
Key Takeaways
- Snagfilms offered a popular free movie streaming iOS app until shutting down in 2020
- The app cannot be downloaded anymore and does not work on devices that still have it installed
- There are no security issues with the old non-working Snagfilms app
- Plenty of alternative free movie apps like Tubi and Crackle are available for iOS instead
So while the Snagfilms app is gone, there are still plenty of options for watching free movies on your iPhone or iPad. Services like The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Crackle offer thousands of free titles to choose from.
Using one of these free alternatives is the best choice to safely stream movies on your iOS device. Although Snagfilms is no longer around, free mobile movie streaming lives on through other apps.
Conclusion
Snagfilms was once a very popular iOS app for streaming free movies on the go, until the service shut down in 2020. The app has been removed from the App Store and no longer functions even if you still have it installed.
Given that the Snagfilms servers and infrastructure are gone, the old iOS app cannot provide any working movie streams. So it is useless to try and rely on Snagfilms, though if you still have it installed there are no security risks.
Your best and safest option for streaming free movies on iPhone or iPad is to download one of the many alternative apps available today. Leading choices include The Roku Channel, Tubi, Crackle, and others. These apps offer thousands of free ad-supported titles to enjoy.
While losing Snagfilms was disappointing for fans of free movie streaming, the many apps filling its place today offer plenty of options without any subscription fees. Free movie lovers can continue streaming the latest films, classics, indies, and more on iOS, just using a different app.