How to create App Store screenshots using AppLaunchpad: Detailed Guide

App store screenshots are visual previews of your app that show your app’s UI, key features, and value on the App Store listing. 

Clear, well-designed screenshots help users understand your app quickly and can improve conversion rates and visibility. Making screenshots, however, is a different challenge.

Today, in this blog, we will cover how you can create app store screenshots using the AppLaunchpad App Store screenshot generator. 

The process is super simple: just pick an app store screenshot template, add app screens, change the text captions and background color, and export the screenshots in the right app store screenshot sizes. 

Similarly, we will also explore how you can try other approaches, like design software and hiring a professional designer to create app store screenshots.

What Are App Store Screenshots and Why Do They Matter?

Before you learn how to create app store screenshots, let’s first take a look at what they are.

App Store screenshots are visual previews of your app that appear on your App Store listing. They show your app’s interface, features, and value. For most users, App Store screenshots create the first impression. Good App Store screenshots help users quickly understand what your app does and why it’s useful. 

High-quality App Store screenshots:

• strongly influence clicks
• Affect scroll behavior
• Increase conversions. 

App Store screenshots also appear in search results, ads, and custom product pages, which makes App Store screenshot design a critical part of App Store optimization.

Different Approaches to Creating App Store Screenshots

There are multiple ways to create App Store screenshots template. Each approach fits different teams, budgets, and workflows.

Take screenshots manually

Capturing screenshots directly from your app is the most basic way to create App Store screenshots. Developers usually use the Xcode Simulator on macOS or take screenshots on a real iPhone device. This approach shows the real UI without any visual changes, which can be helpful during early development or internal reviews.

The main limitation is clarity. Plain App Store screenshots rarely explain value or flow. Users may see screens but still not understand what problem the app solves or why it’s worth installing. There is no hierarchy, no captions, and no guidance.

Pros and Cons of using Plain Screenshots

Pros	Cons
Speedy process using Xcode Simulator or a physical iPhone, making it suitable for early builds	Screens lack context and do not clearly explain the benefits.
Completely free and does not require any additional tools	Looks unfinished compared to polished App Store screenshots template
Shows the real app UI without visual manipulation	No captions, highlights, or structure to guide users
Easy to update frequently with UI changes	Low conversion impact due to weak storytelling

Use Design Software (Figma, Sketch, Photoshop)

Design software gives complete control to create app store screenshots. You can customize layouts, colors, typography, and visual elements exactly how you want. This approach works well when you already have design expertise or a dedicated designer.

However, design tools like Figma come with a steep learning curve. Simple tasks like resizing screenshots for multiple devices or keeping consistent spaces can take time. Updating App Store screenshots for every app release often becomes repetitive and time-consuming.

Pros and Cons of Using Design Software

Pros	Cons
Complete creative freedom for advanced App Store screenshot design	Requires strong design skills that many developers lack
Can produce high-quality App Store screenshots	Time-consuming for edits and frequent updates
Supports detailed branding and custom visuals	Hard to maintain consistency across devices
Useful for one-time launches or campaigns	Does not scale well for frequent releases

Hiring Professional Designers

Hiring professional designers to create app store screenshots often results in polished App Store screenshots with strong visual hierarchy and storytelling. Designers understand spacing, contrast, and how to guide user attention effectively. This approach is common for major launches or teams with a good budget.

The challenge is cost and speed. Designers are expensive, and each app update requires new revisions. For teams that ship often, this approach becomes difficult to sustain over the long term.

Pros and Cons of Hiring Designers

Pros	Cons
Professional-quality App Store screenshots	High cost for startups and indie teams
Strong understanding of App Store screenshot sizes and App Store screenshot best practices	Slow turnaround for changes
Ideal for major launches or rebrands	Ongoing dependency on external resources
Reduces internal design workload	Not practical for frequent updates

App Store Screenshot Generators (AppLaunchpad)

An App Store screenshot generator helps developers create screenshots that comply with Apple App Store guidelines. These tools turn raw app screens into structured visuals using App Store screenshots templates, device frames, and typography. App Store screenshot generator reduces errors related to App Store screenshot requirements and improves visibility.

AppLaunchpad is a strong example of a modern App Store screenshot generator. It offers a beginner-friendly editor that requires no design skills, supports the latest iOS and Android devices as soon as they’re released, supports 3D devices, allows high-level customization, and helps keep App Store screenshots compliant. Built-in localization also makes scaling to multiple regions easier.

Pros and Cons of App Store Screenshot Generators

Pros	Cons
Designed specifically around App Store screenshot sizes and App Store screenshot best practices	Less creative freedom than a design software
Easy to use for developers with no design background	Template-based layouts may feel limiting
Fast to update App Store screenshots after the latest device model releases	Not suited for complex custom illustrations
Helps maintain consistent App Store screenshot design	Advanced effects may be limited
Supports multiple devices and localization	Limited control over fine-grained typography and visual details

How to Create App Store Screenshots Using AppLaunchpad?

This section explains the whole process to create app store screenshots using AppLaunchpad. Each step is simple, but together they give you complete control over layout, clarity, and compliance.

Create or Log In to Your AppLaunchpad Account

Create an account on AppLaunchpad using your Google or email account. Google sign-in is faster and skips extra verification. If you already have an account, log in using your saved credentials. After logging in, you’ll land on the dashboard.

Choose How You Want to Start

Once you are in the dashboard, choose how you want to create app store screenshots. You can start from scratch by clicking on the Start from scratch button, or use pre-designed App Store screenshots. Starting from scratch gives complete freedom, but templates are faster and safer for most users.

In this guide, we are using pre-designed App Store screenshots templates because they already follow proven App Store screenshot sizes and App Store screenshot best practices.

Select Device Type and Screenshot Size

After choosing an App Store screenshots template, select an iPhone device. By default, AppLaunchpad shows iPhone 6.9, which matches the latest iPhone models. If you want a different device, click More screenshot sizes and select the model you need.

You can also access newer iPhone and iPad models from the Elements tab inside the editor. Choosing the correct size early ensures your App Store screenshots stay compliant.

Upload App UI Screens

Once the App Store screenshots template opens in the editor, click on the device frame. Upload your app’s UI screenshots from your system using the upload button. After uploading, select the exact device frame where each screen should appear.

Repeat this process for every screenshot in the App Store screenshots template. This step accurately maps your real app UI to the visual layout.

Edit Text and Captions

Click on any text element to replace placeholder copy with your own captions. Delete any text you don’t need. Focus on short, benefit-driven lines that quickly explain value.

You can adjust font family, size, alignment, and color. AppLaunchpad also supports custom fonts, which you can upload from the Text tab.

Customize Screenshot Backgrounds

Each screenshot background can be customized. You can use solid colors, gradients, or images. For images, you can search stock visuals or upload your own.

Choose backgrounds that support readability. Avoid busy visuals that compete with the app UI. High contrast improves clarity.

Add Design Elements

Templates may include design elements you don’t need. Delete anything that feels unnecessary. You can also add arrows, icons, shapes, or stickers to highlight key areas of the UI.

AppLaunchpad includes device frames, badges, gesture icons, and illustrations under the Elements tab. Use them carefully to guide attention without cluttering the screenshot.

Add Brand Assets

After completing the main layout, add your brand logo. Upload it from the Upload section and place it naturally within the design.

You can adjust size, add shadows, apply borders, or flip the logo. Branding should support the App Store screenshots, not distract from them.

Use AI-powered Localization (Follow if required)

Localization helps reach users in different regions. AppLaunchpad can translate all text in screenshots into another language with one click using the Translate option.
Follow this 3-step process:

• Click on the Text tab on the left menu.
• Look for the Translate section and select a language from the dropdown menu.
• Click the Translate button on the right. 

Use Smart Cloning (Follow if required)

Smart cloning is helpful if your app supports both iPhone and iPad. You can clone an iPhone screenshot project into an iPad version without recreating everything.

For cloning, all you have to do is go to your previous project, select the project you want to clone, and click the Clone dropdown button. A dropdown will appear; choose an iPad device. After cloning is done, you will see a copy of the original project has been added to your saved projects. 

Save and Manage Your Project

Before leaving the editor, give your project a clear and descriptive name. This helps when returning later for updates.

All saved designs appear in the “My Saved Designs” section on the dashboard.

Exporting and Uploading Screenshots to App Stores

When your App Store screenshots are ready, click the Download button. Choose PNG or JPG format. PNG usually preserves UI details better and keeps text sharp.

Screenshots download as a ZIP file to your system. Upload them to App Store Connect under the correct device categories. Before submitting, preview the listing carefully to confirm alignment, cropping, and readability.

Explore Screenshot Inspiration Gallery

AppLaunchpad includes a screenshot inspiration gallery with real app examples. You can filter by app category and study how others structure their App Store screenshots.

This is helpful when you need ideas for layout, copy, or visual balance to create app store screenshots.

Key App Store Screenshot Sizes, Requirements, and Guidelines

Apple enforces strict App Store screenshot sizes and requirements. Following them prevents rejection and display issues.

Screenshot Type	Device Model	No. of Screenshots	Dimensions	Orientation	File Format
iPhone	6.5” / 6.9.”	Up to 10	1242 × 2688	Portrait or Landscape	JPEG / PNG
iPhone	5.5”	Up to 10	1242 × 2208	Portrait or Landscape	JPEG / PNG
iPad	12.9”	Up to 10	2048 × 2732	Portrait or Landscape	JPEG / PNG

Screenshots must use the RGB color space. Apple does not allow transparency or promotional texts.

App Store Screenshot Best Practices every Developer should Know

Good App Store screenshots follow patterns that help users understand your app quickly and feel confident installing it. Check the App Store screenshot best practices below.

• Lead with your strongest feature: Most users only view the first two or three screenshots. Place your core value there. For example, if your app automates expense tracking, show that feature first instead of a settings screen.
• Use benefit-driven captions: Avoid mentioning features alone. Explain what users gain. For example Track expenses automatically is clearer than the expense tracker screen.
• Show real app UI clearly: Always use actual in-app screens. Users want to know what the app really looks like. Real UI builds trust and makes your app look genuine.
• Keep text readable on small screens: Many users browse on smaller iPhones. Use large fonts, strong contrast, and short sentences so text is legible at a glance.
• Maintain visual consistency: Use similar colors, spacing, and text styles across all App Store screenshots. Consistency makes the app feel professional and well-designed.
• Localize screenshots when possible: Translating text into local languages helps users feel understood and can improve conversion rates. You only need to localize your app if it’s global.

Common App Store Screenshot Mistakes to Avoid

Even strong apps lose installs because of avoidable screenshot mistakes. Just like App Store screenshot best practices, below are the worst mistakes you must not make. Understanding these mistakes helps you spot problems early and fix them before they affect app conversions.

• Overloading screenshots with text: One of the most common mistakes is trying to explain everything in a single screenshot. If a screenshot takes more than a few seconds to understand, most users will swipe past it. 
• Using generic or misleading stock images: Photos that don’t reflect the app’s real experience can feel disconnected and untrustworthy. App Store screenshots should always use real UI screens.
• Poor contrast and unreadable fonts: Light text on light backgrounds, thin fonts, or tiny text make screenshots hard to read, especially on smaller iPhones. Always test screenshots on smaller devices before uploading.
• Not using all available screenshot slots: Apple allows up to 10 App Store screenshots, but many apps use only a few. This wastes valuable space to explain features, show use cases, or address user concerns.
• Not aligning screenshots with user intent: Some apps focus too much on secondary features and forget why users are searching in the first place. If users come looking for a solution to a specific problem, your screenshots should reflect that immediately.
• Not clearly showcasing the real app UI: Overusing illustrations, visuals, or graphics can hide how the app actually works. If screenshots don’t show real UI, users may assume the app is unfinished or misleading.
• Inconsistent styles across screenshots: Mixing different colors, fonts, or layout styles across screenshots makes the app feel unpolished. All App Store screenshots should look like they belong to the same product.

Avoiding these mistakes doesn’t require advanced design skills. It mainly requires thinking from the user’s perspective and reviewing screenshots with fresh eyes before publishing.

Conclusion

App Store screenshots play a significant role in how users judge your app before installing it. Even a well-built product can struggle if App Store screenshots are unclear or outdated. Choosing the right way to create app store screenshots is just as crucial as building features.

When to use which approach

• You just want to ship fast and meet the basic App Store requirements: choose plain screenshots.
• You need high creative freedom and full control, and you don’t mind if it takes longer than it should: Choose Figma or Photoshop.
• You want premium, custom-designed App Store screenshots and have the budget for it: Choose a professional designer.
• You want conversion-focused screenshots in the right App Store screenshot sizes, easy to update, consistent across devices, and aligned with App Store screenshot best practices. Choose an App Store screenshot generator like AppLaunchpad.

While there are many ways to create app store screenshots, an App Store screenshot generator offers the best balance for most teams. App Store screenshot tools like AppLaunchpad help teams meet App Store screenshot requirements and best practices, and keep App Store screenshots aligned as the app evolves.

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