It's a sad day for wallpaper enthusiasts: MKBHD's popular 'Panels' app is closing down. For those who loved the high-quality wallpapers curated by Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), this news might sting a bit. The app, which once graced both the Google Play Store and the App Store, is being retired due to sustainability issues, as stated by Brownlee.
Now, if you're not familiar, MKBHD is a titan in the tech world. His YouTube channel is renowned for its premium content focusing on Android and consumer tech. A key element of his videos was the visual presentation of devices, often enhanced by custom wallpapers. Many of these stunning wallpapers were available through the 'Panels' app, offering options for both free, ad-supported access and paid subscriptions.
According to the MKBHD team, the app is officially shutting down at the end of the year. Despite achieving top chart positions in both the Google Play Store and the App Store, and garnering a significant number of downloads, the app proved unsustainable in the long run and didn't fully align with the team's vision. But here's where it gets controversial...
For those who invested in annual subscriptions, there's good news. The team plans to initiate refunds on December 31, 2025. Subscribers will receive a refund for the remaining subscription period after that date, and purchased wallpapers will remain available for download until the shutdown is complete.
And this is the part most people miss... The MKBHD team also intends to release the app's code after the shutdown. This means that others can potentially pick up where 'Panels' left off, keeping the spirit of the app alive.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the app's closure was inevitable, or could it have been salvaged? Let me know in the comments!
