Viral Instagram video shows man ‘stealing’ Final Cut Pro app from Apple Store - But does it work?

Can you really send authentic FCP software via AirDrop to yourself at an Apple Store? Let's find out.

You may or may not have seen viral videos of people airdropping expensive Final Cut Pro software onto their Apple devices from a MacBook in an Apple Store. These infamous clips show individuals airdropping the software onto their devices, allowing them to run it on their own Macs for free, bypassing the hefty price tag of ₹29,900 for the official Apple version. But does this trick really work as claimed? Well, the answer is yes, but it involves some caveats.

AirDrop Final Cut Pro To Your Own Apple Device: Details

Apple Final Cut Pro costs ₹29,900.

By Shaurya Sharma

Shaurya Sharma is the Technology Editor at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he oversees technology coverage across digital and social platforms. With over eight years of experience across editorial, video production, and digital media, his work focuses on smartphones, AI, consumer gadgets, and shaping audience-first content strategies for modern tech consumers.

He began his career in 2018 as a fashion cinematographer before turning his lifelong passion for technology into a profession. From spending his childhood immersed in tech magazines, video games, and the latest gadgets to covering the global consumer tech industry today, technology has remained a constant throughout his journey.

Over the years, Shaurya has worked with some of India’s leading media organisations, including CNN-News18, Sportskeeda, and Guiding Tech, where he led video initiatives that combined strong editorial storytelling with engaging visual and social-first execution.

A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Manipal University, Shaurya has reviewed hundreds of products across categories including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and wearables. Beyond work, he is passionate about animal welfare, environmental causes, and automobiles, particularly turbo-petrol cars

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Firstly, the app you airdrop to yourself won’t receive any official updates from Apple. This means you won’t have access to new features unless you purchase the full version. Paying for the software is the only way to receive official updates and link your purchase directly to your Apple ID.

Additionally, many users on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have pointed out that you may need to delete specific files every 90 days or so to reset the trial period, allowing you to use the software for a little longer.

Note: It’s important to note that we do not endorse piracy or the unauthorised copying of Apple software. In fact, this method could be considered theft. Moreover, distributing Apple’s original software in this manner is also illegal and could be classified as piracy.

Some people also report that they airdropped the Final Cut Pro software onto their iPhones and then later went to their homes and then airdropped the file from their iPhone to their Mac and it still worked. Many people have verified the same on Reddit, wherein they claim that it will work.