MKBHD’s Panels App Shuts Down After Failed Redemption Attempt

Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee is shutting down his Panels wallpaper app. The service will end completely on December 31, 2025. Brownlee made the announcement on the app’s official website and in a video.

He stated that changes to the development team earlier this year made continuing impossible. He could not find the right collaborators to achieve his original vision for the app.

From High Hopes to Sudden Sunset

According to the notice, the app’s code will be open-sourced in January 2026. This will allow other developers to build upon the project. Users can keep downloaded wallpapers and download more until the year ends.

Active subscriptions will be canceled automatically. Users with annual plans will receive proactive refunds. All in-app purchases have already been disabled.

The shutdown marks the end of a rocky journey for the app. Panels faced immediate and intense backlash following its September 2024 launch. Criticism focused on its high subscription cost and aggressive data collection policies.

A Legacy of Controversy and Correction

Initially, Panels cost $11.99 per month or $49.99 per year for full-resolution wallpapers. A free tier forced users to watch two ads for a lower-quality download. The app also requested permission to track user activity across other apps and websites.

This approach sparked significant criticism across tech forums and social media. In response, Brownlee quickly issued updates to address privacy concerns. He also slashed the monthly subscription price to just $2.

Despite these corrective measures, the app never recovered from its problematic debut. User trust was damaged, and growth stalled. The app failed to gain a sustainable user base after its initial controversy.

The closure of the Panels app underscores the challenges of translating influencer credibility into a successful software product. Even with significant effort to fix early mistakes, the Panels app shutdown became inevitable once user trust eroded.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Can I still use the wallpapers I downloaded?

Yes. All wallpapers previously downloaded or purchased will remain usable on your device. You can continue to download wallpapers from the app until December 31, 2025.

Q2: Will I get a refund for my subscription?

Yes. All active subscriptions will be canceled automatically. If you paid for an annual subscription, you will receive a proactive refund for the unused portion.

Q3: Why is the Panels app shutting down?

Marques Brownlee cited a change in the development team’s makeup. He could not find suitable new collaborators to continue developing the app according to his original vision.

Q4: What happens to the app’s technology?

The core code for the Panels app will be released as open-source in January 2026. It will use the Apache 2.0 license, allowing other developers to use it for new projects.

Q5: What were the main criticisms at launch?

The app was criticized for a high subscription price and intrusive data collection. It requested location data and permission to track activity across other apps, which alarmed users.