How to Create Engaging Apple App Store Screenshots

Apple has very specific guidelines for app store screenshots. If you don't follow these guidelines, you run the risk that your app or your app update will get rejected by Apple.

We've submitted thousands of apps to the Apple app store for approval, so we have a good idea of how Apple's app store guidelines work. Following these guidelines will save you a lot of time and stress when it comes to publishing your app store listing.

App Store Screenshot Requirements: Things to Note

There are a few things to keep in mind when creating your app store screenshots:

• You cannot use screenshots taken from your browser, even if you take them using a mobile device
• Your screenshot must show your app's content in use
• If you use a device frame in the screenshot, you will need to make sure the frame matches the elements of a real device for the size you are uploading the screenshots for. As an example, if you are uploading 6.5' screenshots, you will want to have a notch displayed in your device frame
• Apple requires you to provide screenshots for 5.5', 6.5', 12.9' devices
• For 12.9' devices, you are required to provide one set of screenshots for 2nd generation iPads and another set of screenshots for 3rd generation iPads
• You must provide a minimum of 3 screenshots for each device size
• Screenshots cannot have transparency

App Store Screenshot Requirements: Size

Below you can find the sizes that your app store screenshots must have for each device size:

Device size: 5.5'

Device model: iPhone 6s Plus‍, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus

Screenshot size: 2208 x 1242 pixels

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Device size: 6.5'

Device model: iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iphone XS Max, iPhone XR

Screenshot size: 2688 x 1242 pixels

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Device size: 12.9'

Device model: 3rd generation iPad Pro, 2nd generation iPad Pro

Screenshot size: 2732 x 2048 pixels

Tools to Take App Store Screenshots

There are several tools out there that will allow you to create screenshots with ease, here is a list with some of them:

• https://www.launchmatic.app/
• https://appscreens.com/
• https://theapplaunchpad.com/

You will also find examples on these websites that you can use as inspiration.

Get Help with the App Store Submission Process

Along with your mobile app icon, title and app store description, your screenshots play a big part in the app store optimization process.

If your screenshots don't follow the iOS app store screenshot requirements, your launch may be delayed, and it will take longer for your app to start reaching your target users.

You'll want to make sure that these elements not only fit within the app store guidelines, but they effectively sell your app to potential users.

A small change to make your screenshots or other elements closer to an optimal state can pay off in a huge way, by delivering more app downloads.

The tips shared in this post will help - however, if you build your app with MobiLoud, you won't have to worry about this so much, as we handle the app store publishing process for you.

We know the ins and outs of publishing apps to the Apple app store, by doing this process for over 2,000 apps already. Instead of worrying about app store screenshots, you can worry about more important things, like how you're going to make sure your app provides value to your audience.

Click here for a free demo to learn how MobiLoud can work for your business.