Format requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| File format | PNG or JPEG |
| Color space | RGB (no CMYK, no grayscale) |
| Transparency | Not allowed — no alpha channels |
| Max file size | No hard limit, but keep under 5MB per screenshot |
| Dimensions | Exact pixel size per device class — see size reference |
| Orientation | Portrait or landscape (must match device) |
| Max screenshots | 10 per device type |
Content rules
What's allowed
- Marketing text and headlines overlaid on screenshots
- Custom backgrounds and color gradients
- Device frames around your app screenshots
- Floating UI elements (rating badges, trust signals, feature callouts)
- Localized text for different markets
What's not allowed
- Screenshots that don't show your actual app UI (mocked or placeholder screens)
- Other platform's UI elements (Android status bars, Windows buttons)
- Transparent backgrounds or alpha channels
- Screenshots from a different device than the one declared (e.g., iPhone screenshot in iPad slot)
- Excessive text that obscures the app UI
- Pricing information (prices vary by region and can become outdated)
- Apple trademarks or logos without authorization
Device frame rules
Apple requires that screenshots for each device type show the correct device frame (or no frame at all). Key rules:
- iPhone screenshots: Must show iPhone UI (status bar, home indicator). You can use a device frame or show the screen without a frame.
- iPad screenshots: Must show iPad UI. Using an iPhone frame in iPad screenshots will get rejected.
- Mac screenshots: Must show macOS UI. No mobile device frames allowed.
- No-device screenshots: Allowed — you can show just the app screen without any device frame, as long as the content matches the app.
Screenshot ordering best practices
Apple displays screenshots in the order you upload them. The first 3 appear in search results:
- Hook frame: Your strongest visual — core value proposition in one image
- Core feature: The main thing users will do with your app
- Social proof or key benefit: Ratings, testimonials, or a compelling outcome
- Secondary feature: A differentiator or secondary use case
- CTA frame: "Download now" or a final compelling visual
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Common rejection reasons (and how to avoid them)
- Wrong dimensions: Each device type has exact pixel requirements. Double-check against the size reference before uploading.
- Mismatched device: Don't put an iPhone screenshot in the iPad slot. Apple checks the status bar and aspect ratio.
- Transparent backgrounds: PNGs with alpha channels are rejected. Flatten everything to a solid or gradient background.
- Not showing real app UI: Screenshots must represent the actual app. Don't use placeholder text or mocked screens that don't exist in your app.
- Other platform UI: Remove Android navigation bars, Windows title bars, or any non-Apple UI elements from iPhone/iPad/Mac screenshots.
FAQ
What are Apple's App Store screenshot guidelines?
Apple requires screenshots to be exact pixel dimensions for each device class, show the actual app UI (not mocked or altered), use the correct device frame, and not contain excessive text or promotional overlays. Screenshots must be in PNG or JPEG format, in RGB color space, and cannot contain transparent areas.
Can I add text and graphics to my App Store screenshots?
Yes. Apple allows you to add marketing text, backgrounds, and design elements to your screenshots as long as the actual app UI is visible and not obscured. Many top apps use designed screenshots with headlines, custom backgrounds, and device frames.
What gets screenshots rejected?
Common rejection reasons: wrong dimensions, showing a different device than the screenshot type, using transparent backgrounds, including other platform's UI (Android status bars), or screenshots that don't represent the actual app experience.
How many screenshots can I upload to the App Store?
You can upload up to 10 screenshots per device type. Only 3 are visible in search results before users tap through, so prioritize your best 3.