How does the app store screenshot generator work?

Upload your raw iOS or Android app screenshot, and our AI screenshot generator automatically creates professional marketing assets. It analyzes your app, generates compelling titles and subtitles, creates a beautiful background, and places your screenshot in a realistic device frame (iPhone 16, Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S24) — all in under 2 minutes.

Is this app store screenshot generator free?

Yes! New users get 3 free screenshots — no credit card required. Each generation costs 1 credit. After your free credits, affordable packages start at $9 for 25 screenshots. Credits never expire.

Can I generate Play Store screenshots with this tool?

Absolutely. Our Play Store screenshot generator creates Google Play-compliant screenshots in 9:16 aspect ratio with Pixel and Samsung Galaxy device frames. It works for both App Store (iOS) and Play Store (Android) — just upload your screenshot and the AI detects the platform automatically.

How does the style matching feature work?

Simply paste any App Store or Play Store link, and we'll automatically fetch all the screenshots from that app. Pick the one you like as your reference, or upload your own image. Our AI analyzes the style, colors, layout, and design elements, then applies that exact aesthetic to your app's screenshots.

Can I edit mockups after generation?

Yes! You can change device frames, update backgrounds, modify titles and subtitles, adjust colors, or regenerate with custom instructions. Every edit triggers a new AI generation and costs 1 credit, since the entire image is recreated from scratch to ensure a polished result.

What screenshot sizes does the generator support?

For App Store (iOS), we generate screenshots at 6.9 inch (1320×2868 pixels) and 6.7 inch (1290×2796 pixels). For iPad, we generate at 13 inch (2048×2732 pixels). For Play Store (Android), we generate at 9:16 aspect ratio (1080×1920). All formats meet official store submission requirements.

Is this better than using app store screenshot templates?

Yes — templates require manual design work (swapping images, writing copy, adjusting colors). Our AI screenshot generator handles everything automatically. It understands your app's context, generates unique marketing copy, and creates custom designs. No two outputs look the same, and you don't need any design skills.

Can I generate iPad screenshots along with iPhone?

Yes! When you select Apple App Store as your platform, you'll see an option to "Also generate iPad 13" versions. Enable it and our AI will generate both iPhone and iPad mockups in one go — same theme, same style, perfectly adapted to the iPad 13" (3:4) aspect ratio. It costs 1 extra credit per screenshot.

Tutorial April 27, 2026 10 min read

How to Get 6.7" App Store Screenshots Without the Device

By AppMockup Team

You’ve spent months—maybe years—polishing your app. The code is clean, the onboarding is seamless, and you’re finally ready to hit that "Submit for Review" button in App Store Connect. Then, you see the red exclamation marks. Apple requires 6.7-inch screenshots. You look at your desk and see an iPhone 15 Pro or maybe a standard iPhone 14. Neither is a "Max" or "Plus" model.

It’s a classic developer bottleneck. Buying a $1,200 device just to take five screenshots feels like a joke, but Apple’s requirements aren't laughing. In 2026, the 6.7-inch display tier is no longer an "optional" luxury for high-end devices; it is the baseline for how your app is represented on the most popular hardware.

The good news? You don't need the physical device. We’ve been through this process hundreds of times, and whether you want the high-friction "free" way or the high-speed professional way, there are reliable paths to getting pixel-perfect 6.7-inch assets without spending a dime on new hardware. Here is exactly how to do it.

The 6.7-Inch Mandate: Apple's 2026 Requirements

Apple’s submission guidelines have evolved. In the early days, you had to provide screenshots for every single screen size, which was a logistical nightmare. Today, Apple uses a "Simplified" submission process, but that simplicity relies on you providing the largest possible assets for a specific category. For the modern iPhone tier, that means the 6.7-inch display.

According to the Apple App Store Screenshot Specifications, the 6.7-inch screenshot is the "Required" tier for all modern iPhones. If you provide these, Apple’s system will intelligently scale them down for users on 6.1-inch devices (like the standard iPhone 15 or 16). However, the reverse is not true. You cannot upload 6.1-inch shots and expect Apple to scale them up. They will simply be rejected.

The Technical Specs: The exact resolution you need is 1290 x 2796 pixels. This corresponds to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In our experience, even a single pixel of deviation will trigger an automated rejection during the upload process.

The 2026 Policy on Legacy Tiers: Does the 5.5-inch tier (iPhone 8 Plus) still matter in 2026? Surprisingly, yes. While the 6.7-inch tier covers all notched and Dynamic Island devices, Apple still requires the 5.5-inch assets for legacy devices like the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) and older models still in circulation. If you want maximum reach, you’re targeting two mandatory sizes: 6.7-inch and 5.5-inch.

Device Category	Required Size	Resolution (Pixels)
iPhone (Primary)	6.7" Display	1290 x 2796
iPhone (Legacy)	5.5" Display	1242 x 2208
iPad (Pro)	12.9" Display	2048 x 2732

Method 1: Using the Xcode Simulator (The Free Way)

If you have a Mac and you’re the one who built the app, the Xcode Simulator is your most precise tool. It’s not just a preview; it’s a full virtualized instance of iOS. This is the only way to get "raw" screenshots that show your app exactly as it renders on a Pro Max device.

Step 1: Download the Correct Runtime

Open Xcode and go to Settings > Platforms. In 2026, you should be looking for the iOS 19 or iOS 20 runtimes. Ensure you have the "iPhone Pro Max" simulators installed. If you’re missing the 16 Pro Max or 17 Pro Max, click the "+" icon and add them. These runtimes are several gigabytes, so do this before your deadline looms.

Step 2: Set the Simulator Scale

This is where most developers mess up. By default, the Simulator might scale the window to fit your Mac's screen. If you take a screenshot of a window that has been "shrunk" visually, the resulting image might not be 1290 x 2796.

Before capturing, go to Window > Physical Size or Window > Point Size. However, the most reliable method is to use the internal capture trigger, which ignores your Mac's display scaling and pulls the data directly from the virtual framebuffer.

Step 3: Capturing the Shot

You have two choices here, and one is objectively better:

Command + S: This saves a screenshot directly to your desktop. It’s fast and usually accurate.
The "Camera" Icon: Located in the top bar of the simulator window.

Pro Tip: If you need to automate this because you have 50 screens to capture, use the terminal. Run:
xcrun simctl screenshot booted screenshot_name.png
This command ensures you get the raw pixel density every single time without manual clicking.

Pro Tip: Dealing with the Dynamic Island

In 2026, the Dynamic Island is a permanent fixture of the 6.7-inch UI. When you take a screenshot in the simulator, you need to be careful about the "Status Bar." Apple’s reviewers sometimes reject screenshots that show "system-level" clutter that doesn't look native.

We recommend using a tool like SimulatedStatLab or Xcode’s own simctl to "clean" the status bar. This sets the time to 9:41, fills the battery to 100%, and maximizes the Wi-Fi bars. It makes your screenshots look professional rather than like a rushed capture from a dev environment. To do this via terminal, use:
xcrun simctl status_bar booted override --time "9:41" --batteryState charged --batteryLevel 100

Method 2: Using AppMockup for Professional Assets

Let’s be honest: raw simulator screenshots are ugly. They look like technical documentation, not a marketing asset. If you look at the top-chart apps—TikTok, Airbnb, Instagram—none of them use raw screenshots. They use framed mockups with marketing copy.

If you don't have the device and you want your screenshots to actually convert visitors into users, AppMockup is the standard choice. It removes the need for Xcode entirely if you already have a basic screen capture from any iPhone.

Why Framing Matters

A raw 1290 x 2796 image is just a rectangle of your app. When you use AppMockup, you can wrap that image in a realistic iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro Max frame. This provides context. It tells the user's brain, "This is an app for my phone," rather than "This is a digital image."

The Workflow

Upload: Take a raw screenshot from any device (or the simulator). It doesn't even have to be the perfect 6.7-inch size initially if you are using the "Create New Mockup" feature.
Style Selection: Choose between Clean Mode (minimalist frames) or Dynamic Mode. In Dynamic Mode, AppMockup uses AI to add floating 3D objects or lifestyle elements that match your app's category.
AI Copywriting: One of the most tedious parts of screenshots is writing the titles. The AI within the tool analyzes your screenshot and suggests titles (max 4 words) and subtitles (max 8 words) that fit the layout perfectly.
Export: The tool automatically outputs the exact 1290 x 2796 resolution required by Apple. You don't have to worry about aspect ratios or pixel counts; it’s baked into the export.

If you’re managing multiple platforms, you can also use the iPhone to iPad Converter. It’s a massive time-saver. You can take your 6.7-inch iPhone mockup and, with a single click, convert it into a 12.9-inch iPad Pro asset. According to internal data from AppMockup, this conversion takes under 2 minutes, compared to the hours it would take to manually resize and reposition elements in Figma or Photoshop.

The 'Hot Take': Why Upscaling Smaller Screenshots is a Trap

We see this constantly in developer forums: "Just take a screenshot on your iPhone 15 (6.1-inch) and resize it to 1290 x 2796 in Photoshop. Apple will never know."

This is bad advice. Stop doing it.

In 2026, Apple’s App Store Connect upload pipeline includes automated "pixel-blur" and "interpolation detection." When you take an 1170 x 2532 image and stretch it to 1290 x 2796, you aren't just changing the size; you are degrading the sub-pixel integrity. The text becomes slightly fuzzy. The icons lose their crisp edges.

More importantly, the Aspect Ratio is different. - A 6.1-inch screen (1170 x 2532) has a ratio of approximately 1:2.164. - A 6.7-inch screen (1290 x 2796) has a ratio of approximately 1:2.167.

It sounds negligible, right? It’s not. If you "stretch" the image to fit, you are distorting the UI. If you "crop" the image, you might cut off a few pixels of your navigation bar or tab bar. Apple’s reviewers are trained to look for these "lazy" submissions. A metadata rejection for "low-quality assets" can set your launch back by days. It’s much faster to use the Xcode simulator or a dedicated tool like AppMockup than it is to appeal a rejection because you tried to save ten minutes in Photoshop.

The Design Strategy: What Actually Works in 2026?

Getting the size right is only half the battle. If your 6.7-inch screenshots are just five random pages of your app, your conversion rate will suffer. Research from industry analysts suggests that users decide whether to download an app within 3 seconds of viewing the gallery.

The "First Two" Rule

On the App Store, most users only see the first two (or sometimes three) screenshots before they keep scrolling. These two frames must carry 80% of your marketing weight. - Frame 1: The "Big Promise." What is the single most important thing your app does? - Frame 2: The "Social Proof" or "Secondary Key Feature."

Accessibility and Readability

Remember that while you are designing for a 6.7-inch screen, many users will be viewing these screenshots on smaller devices or in "Dark Mode" at 50% brightness. - Use high-contrast text. - Ensure your font size is at least 60pt in your design software so it remains readable when scaled down in the App Store search results. - Avoid placing critical text near the very top or bottom of the frame, where the device "notch" or home indicator might visually interfere.

Common Questions about 6.7-Inch Assets

Can I use iPhone 14 Pro Max screenshots for the iPhone 16 Pro Max requirement?
Yes. As long as the resolution is 1290 x 2796 and the device frame (if used) looks modern, Apple does not care which specific "Pro Max" model the screenshot came from. The software environment is what matters.

What happens if I don't provide 6.7-inch screenshots?
In 2026, you cannot submit a new app or a major update to the App Store without them. App Store Connect will prevent you from submitting the version for review until the "Required" media is uploaded.

Do I need to show the Dynamic Island in my screenshots?
Apple's guidelines state that screenshots should look like the device they are intended for. If you are submitting for the 6.7-inch tier, your screenshots should ideally account for the Dynamic Island area. Using a tool like AppMockup ensures the device frames are updated to the latest hardware standards (iPhone 16/17 Pro) automatically.

Final Checklist for Submission

Before you upload your assets to App Store Connect, run through this final sanity check. It takes two minutes and saves hours of potential re-work.

Resolution Check: Are they exactly 1290 x 2796? (Not 1290 x 2795).
Format Check: Are they flattened PNGs or high-quality JPEGs? (PNG is preferred for UI).
Status Bar: Is the time consistent across all shots? (9:41 is the gold standard). Is the battery full?
Alpha Channels: Ensure your PNGs do not have transparency (alpha channels). Apple will reject these immediately.
Language: If you are localizing, do your 6.7-inch shots match the language of the metadata? AppMockup can generate text in 20 different languages if you need to scale globally.

Getting 6.7-inch screenshots without the device is a solved problem. If you're a developer with a Mac, stick to the Xcode Simulator for your raw captures. If you're a marketer or a solo-dev looking to stand out, use a dedicated generator to wrap those captures in professional frames. Just whatever you do, don't try to "stretch" your way out of the requirement. Apple's automated systems are smarter than they used to be, and your app deserves a better first impression than a blurry, upscaled screenshot.