The mounting tape on the lights is too weak, so the clips are a requirement. Since the tape is so weak, the lights don't stay connected to the surface they're applied to and then hang at an angle, which makes the lights project inconsistently. Really disappointed.
These were really easy to install (I used a boom lift) and the configuration was straightforward. Don't forget to select the appropriate number of segments in the app when setting these up. I've integrated mine into our Home Assistant so they automatically come on at sunset and the theme changes based on the time of year and holidays.