App Store screenshot sizes.

TL;DR — just tell me what to ship

If you only ship one size, ship 1290 × 2796 pixels portrait (6.9-inch iPhone). Apple derives preview thumbnails for every smaller iPhone from this, and this is the size displayed most prominently in App Store search results on modern devices.

If you ship an iPad-optimized app, also ship 2064 × 2752 pixels portrait (13-inch iPad Pro M4).

Everything else is optional but recommended for apps that support older devices or specific form factors.

iPhone screenshot sizes

Apple organizes iPhone screenshots by display size class, not by device model. Multiple devices share each class.

6.9-inch Super Retina XDR (iPhone 16 Pro Max)

6.7-inch Super Retina XDR

6.5-inch Super Retina HD

6.1-inch Super Retina

5.5-inch Retina HD (legacy)

4.7-inch Retina HD (iPhone SE 3rd gen)

iPad screenshot sizes

13-inch iPad Pro M4 (2024)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th gen)

11-inch iPad Pro (4th gen) and iPad Air

iPad Pro (3rd gen) and older 10.5-inch iPads

Mac (macOS) screenshot sizes

Mac App Store is more permissive on aspect ratio but strict on minimum resolution.

Apple Watch screenshot sizes

Apple TV screenshot sizes

Apple Vision Pro screenshot sizes

visionOS introduced new requirements when Vision Pro launched.

Aspect ratio reference

Format and upload rules

• File format: PNG or JPEG. Apple does not accept WebP, HEIC, or TIFF for screenshots.
• Color space: RGB. Apple does not accept CMYK or grayscale.
• Alpha channel: Not allowed. Export with a solid background.
• Maximum file size: 10 MB per screenshot.
• Pixel-exact: Dimensions must match exactly. Off by one pixel = rejected.
• Count: Up to 10 screenshots per device display size.
• Order: The first 2-3 screenshots appear inline in search results — these are the highest leverage.
• Content: Must be actual screenshots of the app, though framed marketing images (device + marketing background) are allowed and typical.
• Age rating: Content must match the app's rating. No adult imagery in a 4+ rated app.

App Store screenshot requirements (2026)

Beyond pixel dimensions, Apple enforces specific content and metadata requirements for all screenshots uploaded to App Store Connect:

• Minimum count: At least 1 screenshot per required device class. Apple recommends 3-5 for optimal search result presentation.
• Device-specific sets: If your app supports iPad, you must upload at least one iPad screenshot set. iPhone-only apps can skip iPad.
• Localization: You can upload localized screenshot sets per language. Apple does not auto-translate text in screenshots — you must upload separate sets per locale.
• No device frames required: Apple does not require device bezels around screenshots. Plain screenshots are accepted. Marketing frames (device + background) are allowed and standard practice.
• No video replacement: Screenshots are mandatory even if you upload an app preview video. Video supplements but does not replace screenshots.
• Text in screenshots: Apple allows marketing text overlaid on screenshots. Text must be readable and not misleading. Avoid small font sizes that become illegible at thumbnail scale.
• No competitor references: Screenshots must not show other apps, other companies' branding, or comparative claims about competitors.
• No pricing info: Apple rejects screenshots that display pricing, discount claims, or "free" badges — pricing changes by region and Apple controls it.

App Store screenshot guidelines and best practices

Meeting Apple's technical requirements gets your screenshots accepted. Following these design guidelines gets your app downloaded.

Lead with your strongest frame

The first screenshot is the most important asset on your App Store product page. It appears in search results, Today tab cards, and the "Apps We Love" editorial features. Treat frame 1 as a billboard — one clear value proposition, one visual hook, no clutter. Apps that front-load a benefit-driven headline see 15-25% higher tap-through from search results.

Use 3-5 screenshots, not 10

Apple allows up to 10 screenshots, but most users scroll through 3-4 before deciding. Focus your effort on making frames 1-3 exceptional. Frame 1 = core value, frame 2 = key feature, frame 3 = social proof or differentiator. Frames 5-10 see diminishing returns unless your app has distinct feature sets worth showing.

Design for the thumbnail, not the full screen

In App Store search results, your first screenshot appears at roughly 120×260 pixels — about 9% of its full size. Text that looks great at 1290×2796 becomes unreadable at thumbnail scale. Use these rules:

• Headlines: 4-7 words, large font, high contrast against background
• Body text: avoid entirely in frame 1 — save it for frames 3+
• Phone screen: show a recognizable UI, not a blank or loading state
• Color contrast: minimum 4.5:1 between text and background (WCAG AA)

Portrait vs landscape

For most apps, portrait screenshots perform better. App Store search results display portrait screenshots at full width, while landscape screenshots appear cropped and smaller. Only use landscape if your app is primarily landscape (games, video editors, drawing tools).

Consistency across frames

Maintain visual consistency across your screenshot set: same background style, same font, same color palette, same device orientation. Inconsistent sets signal low production quality and reduce trust. However, vary the layout — don't repeat the same composition 5 times. Alternate between phone-left, phone-center, and phone-right compositions to create visual rhythm.

Common screenshot mistakes that hurt downloads

• Using a blank or loading screen as frame 1. Users see an empty UI and assume the app does nothing. Always show a populated, meaningful state.
• Too much text. Paragraphs of feature descriptions crammed into a screenshot are illegible at thumbnail size. Stick to one headline per frame.
• Inconsistent device frames. Mixing iPhone and iPad screenshots in the same set, or using outdated device bezels, signals the screenshots are old.
• Showing generic stock UI. If your screenshot could be any app, it is. Show your app's unique interface, not a template.
• Ignoring the first 2 frames. 70% of users never scroll past frame 2. If your best screenshot is frame 5, most people will never see it.
• Using low-contrast gradients. Light text on light gradients is invisible at small sizes. Test your screenshots at 120px width — if you can't read the headline, neither can your users.
• Not localizing. English screenshots in a Japanese App Store listing reduce conversion by 30-50%. Localize at least the first 3 screenshots for your top markets.

FAQ

What size should I upload as my primary iPhone screenshot?

1290 × 2796 portrait. This covers 6.9-inch and 6.7-inch iPhones, which are the majority of modern devices in the wild. Apple derives previews for older devices automatically.

Can I use different screenshots for different devices?

Yes. You can upload different sets for each device class. This is useful for apps with genuinely different UI on iPad vs iPhone.

Do I need landscape screenshots?

Only if your app is primarily landscape (games, video editors). For portrait-first apps, App Store search results prioritize portrait screenshots and landscape appears cropped or smaller.

What happens if my screenshot is the wrong size?

App Store Connect rejects it at upload. The error message specifies the required dimensions. Use Nuvex or a tool that auto-exports to the exact required sizes to avoid this.

How do I preview how my screenshots look in search results?

Use App Store Connect's "Preview" feature after uploading, or check your live listing on a device. Apple does not publish an exact pixel simulator; the live listing is the best reference.

Can Nuvex generate all these sizes automatically?

Yes. Upload once at the largest size and Nuvex exports every required dimension as a packaged set ready for App Store Connect upload.

What is the best aspect ratio for App Store screenshots?

Modern iPhones use ~19.5:9 (1290×2796). iPads use ~3:4. Mac is ~16:10. Apple TV and Vision Pro use 16:9. If you design at the largest required pixel dimensions, the aspect ratio is determined automatically.