Updated February 2026

App Store Screenshot Guidelines 2026

Everything Apple requires (and rejects) for App Store screenshots. Follow these guidelines to pass review on the first submission.

Overview

Apple's App Store Review Guidelines (Section 2.3) govern what screenshots you can and can't include in your app listing. These rules exist to ensure that screenshots accurately represent the app experience and don't mislead users. Violating them results in rejection during the review process, which can delay your release by days or weeks.

This guide covers the current guidelines as of 2026, including content policies, technical requirements, and the most common rejection reasons we've seen developers encounter.

Core Requirement: Accurate Representation

Apple's most fundamental screenshot rule is simple: screenshots must accurately represent the app. This means:

• Screenshots must show your actual app UI, not mockups or conceptual designs
• The features shown in screenshots must actually exist in the app being reviewed
• You cannot show features that are only available through in-app purchase without clearly indicating this
• Screenshots should reflect the current version of your app, not a future planned version

This doesn't mean your screenshots need to be raw, un-styled captures. You can (and should) add marketing text, device frames, and backgrounds. Apple's rule is about the app content within the screenshot, not the marketing wrapper around it.

Content Guidelines

What You Must Include

• Actual app UI. Every screenshot must contain a visible portion of your app's interface. Pure text or graphic-only screenshots without any app UI will be rejected.
• Correct device dimensions. Screenshots must be provided at the exact pixel dimensions Apple specifies for each device class. See our screenshot sizes guide for the full reference.
• At least one screenshot per supported device type. Apple recommends 3–10, and apps with more screenshots generally convert better.

What You Cannot Include

• Pricing information. Don't include "$0.99" or "Free" in your screenshots. Prices vary by region and can change, making these claims inaccurate.
• References to Apple hardware promotions. You can show your app in a device frame, but avoid "Works great on iPhone 16 Pro!" type messaging.
• Misleading status bars. If your screenshot shows a status bar, it shouldn't display misleading carrier names, impossible signal strength, or incorrect time.
• Competitor comparisons. Don't show competitor apps or logos in your screenshots, even in a "before/after" context.
• Inappropriate content. No violence, sexual content, or content that would violate Apple's broader content policies.
• Awards or rankings. Claims like "#1 App" or "Editor's Choice" (unless actually awarded by Apple) are not allowed.

Device Frame Guidelines

Adding a device frame around your screenshot is allowed and common. However, there are rules:

• Use current-generation devices. Don't show your app in an iPhone 6 frame. Use a frame that matches a device currently sold by Apple.
• Keep frames accurate. The frame should reasonably represent an actual Apple device. Don't use frames with exaggerated rounded corners, wrong notch shapes, or fictional hardware.
• Frames are optional. Many successful apps use edge-to-edge screenshots without device frames. If your app's UI is strong, a frameless screenshot can look cleaner and show more content.

Our screenshot generator includes device frames that match Apple's latest hardware designs, so you don't need to worry about getting the details right manually.

Text and Marketing Overlay Rules

Adding marketing text (headlines, feature callouts) to your screenshots is allowed and encouraged. However:

• Text must not obscure the app UI. The app interface should remain clearly visible. A good rule of thumb: at least 50% of the screenshot should show your actual app.
• Text must be accurate. Any claims in your screenshot text (like "Works offline" or "Syncs across devices") must be true and verifiable in the app.
• Keep text concise. Dense paragraphs of text in screenshots look bad and may trigger review scrutiny. Stick to short headlines and brief descriptions.

Localization Requirements

If your app is available in multiple countries, Apple has specific localization expectations:

• Screenshots should match the localization. If your app listing is localized in Japanese, the screenshots for the Japanese Store should show Japanese text — both in the app UI and in any marketing overlay.
• Don't reuse English screenshots everywhere. Apple may flag apps that have localized descriptions but English-only screenshots. It signals low effort and can confuse users.
• Content must be appropriate per region. Some content allowed in one region may not be appropriate in another. Review Apple's regional guidelines if you're targeting specific markets.

The variant system in our tool is specifically designed to make localization easier — create one design, then duplicate it for each language and update just the text.

Common Rejection Reasons

Based on developer community reports and our experience, here are the most frequent screenshot-related rejections:

1. Screenshots Don't Match the App

The #1 rejection reason. This happens when developers update their app but forget to update screenshots, or when screenshots show a planned design that wasn't actually shipped. Always re-capture screenshots from the version you're submitting.

2. Wrong Dimensions

Submitting a 1284 × 2778 screenshot in the 1290 × 2796 slot, or vice versa. The pixel counts are close enough to confuse, but App Store Connect will reject mismatched dimensions. Use a tool that exports at exact sizes.

3. Missing Device Sizes

If your app runs on iPad (even if it's an iPhone app running in compatibility mode), Apple may require iPad screenshots. Check your app's supported devices in Xcode and provide screenshots for each.

4. Alpha Channel in Screenshots

Apple requires screenshots without transparency. PNG files exported from design tools sometimes include an alpha channel even when no transparency is visible. Flatten your images before uploading.

5. Misleading Feature Claims

If your screenshot text says "AI-Powered Suggestions" but the feature is behind a paywall or not yet implemented, expect rejection. Every claim must be demonstrable in the submitted app build.

App Store Connect Upload Tips

• Upload order matters. The order you drag screenshots into App Store Connect is the display order. Put your most compelling screenshot first.
• Preview videos count as screenshots. If you have an app preview video, it takes the first slot. Plan your screenshot sequence accordingly.
• Use the Media Manager. App Store Connect's Media Manager lets you reuse screenshots across localizations. Upload once, then assign to multiple locales.
• Check the preview. After uploading, use App Store Connect's preview to see how your screenshots will appear on different devices and in search results.

2026 Updates and Changes

Apple's screenshot guidelines have remained relatively stable, but here are the notable changes and clarifications for 2026:

• iPhone 16 device frames: If using device frames, ensure they reflect the current hardware design (Dynamic Island, USB-C, camera placement).
• visionOS screenshots: If your app runs on Apple Vision Pro, you can now include visionOS screenshots in a dedicated section.
• Enhanced screenshot analytics: App Store Connect now provides impression data per screenshot position, helping you optimize the order.