How Many Screenshots Do You Need for the App Store?

If you're wondering how many screenshots app store listings actually require, here's the quick answer: Apple allows up to 10 screenshots per device size, and Google Play allows up to 8. Apple requires at least 1, while Google requires a minimum of 2. But the real question isn't how many you can upload. It's how many you should upload to maximize downloads. In this guide, we'll break down the exact limits, what works best, and how localization multiplies your screenshot needs.

The Short Answer: How Many Screenshots App Store Listings Need

You should use all 10 screenshot slots on the App Store and all 8 on Google Play. Every screenshot is an opportunity to communicate value, address objections, and convince someone to tap "Get." Studies consistently show that apps using the maximum number of screenshots see higher conversion rates than those using fewer.

Most users never scroll past the first three, though. So while quantity matters, the order and quality of your screenshots matter even more.

Screenshot Limits by Platform

The number of screenshots you can upload depends on the platform and device type. Here's a full breakdown.

| App Store (iOS)
| iPhone 6.7" (Super Retina XDR)
| 1
| 10 |
| App Store (iOS)
| iPhone 6.5" (Super Retina)
| 1
| 10 |
| App Store (iOS)
| iPhone 5.5" (Retina HD)
| 1
| 10 |
| App Store (iOS)
| iPad Pro 12.9" (6th gen)
| 1
| 10 |
| App Store (iOS)
| iPad Pro 12.9" (2nd gen)
| 1
| 10 |
| Google Play
| Phone
| 2
| 8 |
| Google Play
| 7-inch Tablet
| 0
| 8 |
| Google Play
| 10-inch Tablet
| 0
| 8 |

On the App Store, you can set different screenshots for each device display size. On Google Play, phone screenshots are required, but tablet screenshots are optional. According to Apple's official screenshot specifications, the 6.7-inch display is the primary required size for new submissions.

How Many Screenshots Should You Actually Use?

The answer is simple: use every slot available. If you're on iOS, upload 10. If you're on Google Play, upload 8.

Here's why. Each screenshot is free real estate on one of the most competitive storefronts in the world. Apps that use all available screenshot slots give users more reasons to download. More screenshots means more features highlighted, more social proof displayed, and more objections addressed.

A SplitMetrics analysis found that optimized screenshot galleries can increase conversion rates by up to 25%. Leaving slots empty is leaving conversions on the table.

What to Show in 10 Screenshots

If you're struggling to fill all 10 slots, here's a suggested framework:

Screenshot 1: Hero shot with your main value proposition
Screenshot 2: Core feature demonstration
Screenshot 3: Second key feature or unique differentiator
Screenshots 4-6: Additional features, UI highlights, or use cases
Screenshot 7-8: Social proof, awards, press mentions, or ratings
Screenshots 9-10: Onboarding simplicity, pricing clarity, or a final CTA

Need inspiration? Check out our roundup of App Store screenshot examples that convert for real-world galleries that nail this structure.

Which Screenshots Matter Most?

The first three screenshots are by far the most important. When a user finds your app in search results or browses a category, only the first three screenshots are visible without tapping into your listing. This is true on both iOS and Android.

Think of these three screenshots as your storefront window. They need to instantly communicate what your app does and why someone should care. If your first three screenshots don't grab attention, the other seven won't matter because nobody will ever see them.

Best Practices for Your First 3 Screenshots

Lead with benefits, not features. "Save 2 hours a week" beats "Built-in calendar sync."
Use bold, legible captions. Text should be readable at thumbnail size.
Show the app in action. Real UI builds trust faster than abstract graphics.
Create visual continuity. A panoramic design across all three encourages swiping.

Your first screenshot alone can account for the majority of your conversion impact. Treat it like a billboard: one clear message, zero clutter.

Do You Need Different Screenshots for Each Device Size?

On the App Store, you can provide unique screenshots for each display size: 6.7-inch, 6.5-inch, and 5.5-inch iPhones, plus multiple iPad sizes. But do you actually need to?

Technically, no. Apple will scale your largest iPhone screenshots down for smaller sizes if you don't provide separate assets. However, providing device-specific screenshots ensures your visuals look crisp and correctly proportioned on every device.

For iPad, separate screenshots are strongly recommended if your app has a distinct tablet experience. iPad users browsing the App Store on their device will see iPad-specific screenshots. If you only provide iPhone screenshots, your listing may look unpolished to tablet users.

A Practical Approach

At minimum, provide screenshots for these sizes:

iPhone 6.7" (required for new apps)
iPhone 6.5" (covers older Pro Max models)
iPad Pro 12.9" (if your app supports iPad)

That's 30 screenshot assets just for English if you fill all 10 slots per device. This is where tools like free ASO tools and screenshot generators save serious time.

How Many Screenshots Do You Need for Each Language?

This is where the math gets interesting. Apple supports over 35 localizations on the App Store. Google Play supports even more. And each localization can have its own unique set of screenshots.

If you localize your app into 10 languages and provide all 10 screenshots for 3 device sizes on iOS, that's 300 individual screenshot assets. For Google Play with 8 screenshots across the same 10 languages, that's another 80.

The math is straightforward but the workload is enormous.

Why Localized Screenshots Matter

Users who see screenshots in their native language are significantly more likely to download. Localized screenshots signal that the app experience itself is localized, not just the listing. It builds trust before the user even opens your app.

That said, manually creating hundreds of screenshot variants is impractical for most teams. This is exactly why we built Shotlingo's localization hub. You design your screenshot templates once, then generate localized versions for every language automatically.

For example, localizing your screenshots into Japanese is one of the highest-impact moves you can make. Japan is the third-largest app market globally. Our guide on localizing App Store screenshots to Japanese walks through the full process.

How Many Languages Should You Localize Into?

Start with the languages where you already have the most users or the highest revenue potential. For most apps, that means:

English (US and UK)
Japanese
German
French
Spanish
Korean
Chinese (Simplified)
Portuguese (Brazilian)

Even localizing into just 5 languages can dramatically expand your reach. The key is that each language needs its own complete set of screenshots to be effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same screenshots on the App Store and Google Play?

You can, but you shouldn't. The aspect ratios and display sizes differ between iOS and Android devices. Screenshots designed for iPhone dimensions will look stretched or cropped on Android listings. Additionally, each platform has different visual conventions that users expect. Design platform-specific screenshots for the best results.

Do App Store screenshots affect search rankings?

Screenshots don't directly impact keyword rankings in App Store search. However, they heavily influence your conversion rate, which is a factor Apple considers. Higher conversion rates signal a quality listing, which can indirectly boost your visibility. If you want to improve your ASO holistically, compare Shotlingo to other screenshot tools to find the right fit for your workflow.

How often should I update my App Store screenshots?

Update your screenshots whenever you ship a major UI change, add a significant feature, or run seasonal promotions. At minimum, review and refresh your screenshots every quarter. A/B testing different screenshot variations regularly is one of the most reliable ways to improve conversion over time.

Start Optimizing Your Screenshots Today

Now you know the numbers: up to 10 on iOS, up to 8 on Google Play, and ideally a full set for every language you support. The apps that win are the ones that treat every screenshot slot as a conversion opportunity.

Whether you need to create your first set of screenshots or localize existing ones into dozens of languages, Shotlingo makes the process fast and painless. Design once, generate everywhere.

Try Shotlingo free and see how quickly you can build a complete, localized screenshot gallery for every store and every language.

Originally published on Shotlingo