Sora Copycats Flooded Apple’s App Store, And Some Still Remain
Following the explosive debut of OpenAI’s invite-only video app, Sora, scammers wasted no time. Within days, Sora copycats flooded Apple’s App Store, and some still remain, preying on eager users searching for the viral AI video generator.
Image Credits:Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/ Getty Images
The official Sora app, which uses OpenAI’s groundbreaking “Sora 2” video model, quickly captured global attention. But bad actors were just as quick to take advantage. Dozens of fake apps popped up on the App Store, each claiming to be the “official” Sora or “Sora 2,” hoping to trick users into downloads before Apple caught on.
Fake Sora Apps Slip Past Apple’s Review Process
Surprisingly, many of these imposter apps managed to pass Apple’s strict App Review process. They were publicly listed on the App Store using Sora’s trademarked name, which is widely recognized across the tech industry.
According to new research from app intelligence firm Appfigures, more than a dozen Sora-branded apps went live shortly after OpenAI’s real app launched. Over half even used “Sora 2” in their names, a clear attempt to game App Store search results.
Apple blogger John Gruber dubbed one of these scams the “App Store scam of the week,” calling out Apple’s failure to detect obvious fraud.
Hundreds Of Thousands Of Users Downloaded Fakes
The damage was significant. Appfigures’ data shows these Sora copycats collectively reached around 300,000 installs, with more than 80,000 downloads occurring after the real Sora app became available.
Some of the fake apps weren’t even new. They’d been live for months under different names, only rebranding as “Sora” or “Sora 2” after OpenAI’s announcement to capitalize on the sudden surge in user interest.
Meanwhile, OpenAI’s official Sora app quickly surpassed 1 million downloads, offering a stark contrast between genuine and fraudulent versions.
Apple Removes Many — But Not All — Fake Sora Apps
Apple eventually began taking action, quietly removing many of the fake listings. However, some Sora copycats still remain live on the App Store as of this week, according to Appfigures’ findings.
The most popular fake, “Sora 2 – AI Video Generator,” racked up more than 50,000 installs on iOS alone. Its app description and visuals mirrored OpenAI’s branding, making it difficult for users to tell the difference.
The persistence of these impostors raises serious concerns about Apple’s app moderation and the ability of scammers to exploit trending tech brands — even those as high-profile as OpenAI.
Why These Sora Copycats Matter
This isn’t just about one app. It highlights a broader issue within Apple’s App Store ecosystem: speed over scrutiny. When viral AI tools emerge, opportunists rush in with clones before the platforms can react.
Experts warn that these fake apps not only mislead users but also risk privacy violations, data theft, and unauthorized charges — all while damaging trust in legitimate AI innovation.
Until Apple enforces stricter oversight, stories like “Sora copycats flooded Apple’s App Store, and some still remain” will likely continue to surface whenever a new AI trend explodes.
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