MKBHD's wallpaper app Panels Is Closed: What Happened and Alternatives
Tech YouTuber MKBHD's Panels wallpaper app, launched in Sept 2024, is shutting down Dec 31, 2025, due to dev team changes, failed vision, and weak paid subscriptions ($12/mo or $50/yr). Despite 900K downloads and initial hype, it saw only 3K last month. Refunds issued; code open-sourced.
Status
Closed
Estimated timeline
Closed as of Dec 31, 2025
Category
Wallpaper app
What is happening?
Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) has announced the shutdown of his wallpaper app, Panels, effective December 31, 2025. Launched in September 2024, the app generated significant buzz thanks to Brownlee's 20 million YouTube subscribers, quickly topping photo app charts with 900,000 lifetime downloads and $95,000 in revenue.
Despite early success from artist collaborations and premium subscriptions at $12/month or $50/year, Panels failed to sustain momentum. Recent figures showed just 3,000 downloads and $500 in spending last month, highlighting challenges in converting free users to paying customers.
Brownlee attributed the closure to multiple factors: initial development missteps, shifts in the team structure, and inability to find partners aligning with his vision for dynamic, device-matched wallpapers. He described it as a learning experience, opting to open-source the app's code for developers to build upon while deleting all user data post-shutdown.
Annual subscribers will receive full refunds, processed promptly via the app's blog instructions. The decision underscores the hurdles independent creators face in app monetization amid fierce competition.
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