OpenAI’s AI-powered video creation app, Sora, is now rolling out to Android users in several regions, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Sora first debuted on iOS in September, where it quickly climbed to the top of the App Store charts, gaining over one million downloads within its first week. With its expansion to Android, experts anticipate a fresh wave of users and another major spike in downloads as OpenAI broadens its reach.
The Android release mirrors the functionality of the iOS version, offering features such as “Cameos,” which lets users create AI-generated videos of themselves performing a wide range of actions using their own likeness. Much like TikTok, the app includes a social video feed where users can upload, browse, and interact with AI-generated clips. This addition appears to be part of OpenAI’s strategy to establish a stronger foothold in the short-form content space — an area currently dominated by platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Meta’s new AI video experience, Vibes.
Despite its popularity, Sora has already encountered controversy. Following its initial launch, the app drew backlash after users began producing and sharing disrespectful deepfake videos of historical figures, including Martin Luther King Jr. In response, OpenAI temporarily restricted the ability to generate videos of Dr. King and reinforced its content moderation systems.
The company has also adjusted its intellectual property policy after creators raised concerns about the use of copyrighted characters such as SpongeBob and Pikachu. Previously, rights holders had to request removal of their characters (an “opt-out” model). Now, OpenAI has switched to an “opt-in” approach, requiring explicit permission before such content can be generated.
Adding to the challenges, OpenAI is facing a legal dispute with the celebrity video platform Cameo, which claims that Sora’s “Cameos” feature infringes on its brand name.
Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to expand Sora’s capabilities even further. Upcoming updates will introduce AI-generated cameos featuring pets and objects, as well as basic video editing tools that allow users to merge clips and fine-tune their creations. The company also intends to give users more control over their social feeds, enabling them to prioritize content from specific creators rather than a general feed.
