How to Make App Store Screenshots
Your App Store screenshots are the most important marketing asset your app has. Studies show that 60–80% of users decide whether to download based on screenshots before reading a single word of your description. This guide covers everything — from dimensions to copywriting — so you can create screenshots that convert.
Export your app UI
Take screenshots from the iOS Simulator (Product → Screenshot) or a real device. AppShots turns them into 1284×2778px marketing images for App Store Connect. Aim for screens that show your most compelling moments — not onboarding, not settings, not empty states.
Pick your hero screen
Every great App Store screenshot has one clear hero moment. This is the screen that makes someone stop scrolling and think "I want that". For a task manager, it might be a beautiful organised today view. For a fitness app, it might be a streak or progress chart. For a finance app, it might be a clear balance overview. Pick the one moment that communicates your app's entire value proposition.
Write a benefit-driven headline
The headline is the most important text in your screenshot. It should be 2–5 words maximum, in ALL CAPS, and communicate a benefit — not a feature name. Compare these: "Task Management" (feature) vs. "PLAN YOUR WEEK IN MINUTES" (benefit). The benefit wins every time. If you're stuck, ask: what does a user feel or achieve after using this screen?
Compose the layout
The standard App Store screenshot layout is: large headline at top, subheadline below it, iPhone mockup filling the lower portion. Keep at least 80–100px of background visible below the phone. Use a gradient background extracted from your app's brand colour. The phone should be slightly tilted (3–5°) for visual energy, but keep the text perfectly level.
Export at the right dimensions
Export at 1284×2778px and save as PNG. Do not add any alpha channel. If you use AppShots, every generated image is already at this exact resolution.
Upload to App Store Connect
In App Store Connect, go to your app → iOS App → scroll to Screenshots. Drag in your PNG files. The first screenshot appears in search results, so make it your strongest one. You can upload up to 10 per device class.
What makes a bad App Store screenshot?
- ✗A headline that describes a feature instead of a benefit
- ✗Text too small to read in search results
- ✗Phone frame cropped at the bottom edge
- ✗Background colour that clashes with the app UI
- ✗No clear visual hierarchy — headline and phone competing for attention
- ✗Too much text — if you need more than 6 words, cut it
- ✗A screenshot of an empty or loading state
Skip the manual work
AppShots handles steps 3–5 automatically. Upload your app UI, write a one-sentence description, and get a finished 1284×2778px image with AI-written copy in under 60 seconds.
Try AppShots free →No account or design skills required