How to build a reusable screenshot template
Follow these steps in order. Each one is something we do on client work.
- Set up frames at accepted sizes. 1320 × 2868 px for iPhone 6.9-inch; 2064 × 2752 px for iPad.
- Create a caption style. One heading size, one weight, consistent margins.
- Make a device or frameless layout. Pick one and use it for all screens.
- Use components for screens. Swap captures without breaking layout.
- Add localization slots. Leave room for longer languages.
- Export in batches. Name files by device and order.
App Store screenshot template: key rules and context
What a template must have
- Canvases at App Store sizes and Google Play sizes.
- A caption area at the top, large enough to read in search.
- Room for real app UI (Apple requires it, see 2.3).
Layouts that work
- Benefit caption + one screen.
- Panoramic set where the background continues across screenshots.
- Before/after for utilities.
- Social proof only if real and allowed; no invented ratings.
Where to get one. Build in Figma or Canva, or try a screenshot generator.
Avoid. Tiny captions, feature lists, five similar screens, and device frames that shrink the UI.
Worked example (hypothetical)
This example is illustrative. The app is made up, and so are any numbers in it.
Suppose Wanderly, a travel app, builds a Figma template with six frames. German captions run about 30% longer in our hypothetical draft, so the template uses auto-layout text boxes and a two-line limit.
Common mistakes
- Fixed-width text boxes. Break with translation.
- Wrong frame sizes. Uploads fail.
- Mixing styles. Inconsistent set.
- No file naming. Uploads get out of order.
Screenshot specs we design to
Both stores publish exact requirements. These are the ones that matter most for a phone-first app.
| Store / device | Size or rule | Count |
|---|---|---|
| App Store, iPhone 6.9-inch | 1320 × 2868, 1290 × 2796 or 1260 × 2736 px (portrait) | 1–10 per device size |
| App Store, iPad 13-inch | 2064 × 2752 or 2048 × 2732 px (portrait) | 1–10 per device size |
| App Store, format | .jpeg,.jpg or.png | — |
| Google Play, phone | JPEG or 24-bit PNG, 320–3,840 px, long side no more than 2× the short side | Minimum 2 to publish, up to 8 per device type |
| Google Play, Chromebook / tablet | 1,080–7,680 px, 16:9 or 9:16 | Minimum 4 recommended |
How we measure the result
For App Store screenshot template, success is measured on conversion, not looks. Screenshots mainly change conversion: the share of people who see your page or search result and then install. We wait until the console shows a confident result before calling a winner.
Checklist
Copy this list into your release notes or ticket and tick each item off before you ship.
- Frames at accepted sizes
- Caption style
- One layout
- Components for captures
- Localization room
- Named exports
Sources
- Apple: Screenshot specifications (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Google Play Console Help: Add preview assets to showcase your app (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Apple App Store Connect Help: Screenshot specifications (accessed 26 October 2026)
Questions
Are free templates OK?
Yes, if sized correctly and customised.
Should I use device frames?
Optional; frameless gives more space to UI.
Same template for both stores?
Yes, export separately.
How many screenshots?
5–8 is common; use what tells the story.
Can you design them?
Yes: Screenshots A/B.
Can I use the same template for Google Play?
Yes, with an export that fits Play's rules: 320–3,840 px and a long side no more than twice the short side.