iOS 26 Screenshots: Turn Off Full-Screen Previews

[MacRumors]

Apple has modified the screenshot experience in iOS 26 to accommodate Visual Intelligence and its new Liquid Glass aesthetic. Taking a screenshot is still done by pressing the Side button and Volume Up button on your iPhone, but the interface has been redesigned, while there's another change that might slow down your workflow if you're used to the streamlined approach taken in iOS 18 and earlier.

Why You Might Want to Switch Back

If you regularly use Apple's screen capture tools in iOS 18, you'll know that screenshots appear as small thumbnails in the bottom-left corner that you can quickly tap to edit and save or ignore. This lets you continue using your iPhone without interruption, while still giving you the option to markup and/or share a screenshot when required.

In contrast, the new full-screen preview mode in iOS 26 displays your screenshot across the entire display by default, complete with editing tools and Visual Intelligence options at the bottom. While this gives you immediate access to cropping, markup, and AI-powered features, it may feel intrusive compared to iOS 18's approach.

Disabling Full-Screen Previews

When you take your first screenshot after updating to iOS 26, you should see an on-screen prompt asking if you'd like to "Switch to Thumbnail View." If you missed this opportunity or accidentally tapped "Not Now," you can still revert to the old thumbnail approach, thanks to a new settings menu:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Screen Capture.
4. Toggle off Full-Screen Previews.

Once disabled, screenshots will revert to the familiar iOS 18 behavior, appearing as temporary thumbnails in the bottom-left corner. You can still access all editing features by tapping the thumbnail when you need them, or you can review the images later in the Photos app.

Additional Screenshot Options

While you're in Screen Capture settings, you'll also find new options for enabling HDR screenshots (saved in HEIF image format), a CarPlay Screenshots toggle for when your iPhone is connected to CarPlay, and Visual Lookup (iPhone 15 Pro and newer models only).

Article Link: iOS 26 Screenshots: Turn Off Full-Screen Previews

 

[jz0309]

Thank you1 I love these type of articles!

 

[Gobeatty]

I am a heavy screenshot user but it isn't obvious to me - just from reading - that the change needs to be undone. Always good to have a setting to turn it off and a tutorial on how to do that, but I will try the new default behavior first. I am not a dev so waiting for the public beta to drop.

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Additional Screenshot Options

While you're in Screen Capture settings, you'll also find new options for enabling HDR screenshots (saved in HEIF image format), a CarPlay Screenshots toggle for when your iPhone is connected to CarPlay, and Visual Lookup (iPhone 15 Pro and newer models only).

It would be nice if Apple allowed the ability to take screenshots, but also have the option of NOT saving the screenshot to the photo library

This would be useful for when you’re looking to share information with friends or family, but not necessarily want to save that screenshot to your photo library

 

[Newton1701]

This was a very helpful article, thanks!

 

[klasma]

the new full-screen preview mode in iOS 26 displays your screenshot across the entire display by default, complete with editing tools

I think I prefer this in most cases. (An exception is when you want to take many screenshots in succession.) It’s always annoying when the thumbnail disappears too fast and you have to dig up the screenshot in Photos, and then don’t have the same options anymore. In general, it would be nice if screenshots could be saved “as is” to resume editing later (with options like Full Page preserved).

 

[Fraserpatty]

good grief, I just tell Siri to take a screenshot..

 

[Gobeatty]

It would be nice if Apple allowed the ability to take screenshots, but also have the option of NOT saving the screenshot to the photo library

This would be useful for when you’re looking to share information with friends or family, but not necessarily want to save that screenshot to your photo library

iOS 18 does have this option. After tapping 'Done' there is a 'Copy and Delete' option, which is perfect for your use case (which is also often a use case for me).

 

[Ledsteplin]

If you do screenshots using back tap or AssistiveTouch, it's like in iOS 18. Back Tap and AssistiveTouch has been my preferred way for screenshots a long time. But if I need the extra options, I'll do it with the buttons.

 

[Moonjumper]

I'd like the option to just capture the screen and have no preview, going straight to saving to Photos, just like it used to be. I'd also like the same on Mac, which is where I notice the difference most. The click and carry on flow has gone. I'm not saying it should be the default, but it should be an option.

 

[jayducharme]

good grief, I just tell Siri to take a screenshot..

"Here's what I found for screenshots on the web."

I have a slightly different problem: I inadvertently take screenshots just by picking up the phone. I wish Apple had left the power button on the top of the device, rather than opposite the volume buttons (though I realize that's inconvenient with ginormous phones).

 

[OferJ]

Hopefully they've fixed the bug where occasionally when you take a screenshot it just goes straight to your photos album without giving you the option to edit it or delete it

 

[jhfenton]

It would be nice if Apple allowed the ability to take screenshots, but also have the option of NOT saving the screenshot to the photo library

This would be useful for when you’re looking to share information with friends or family, but not necessarily want to save that screenshot to your photo library

This exists in both iOS 18 and the iOS 26 beta, so I guess that's nice.

On the iOS 26 beta, just tap the X in the upper left corner after you're finished sharing it. It isn't saved.

 

[JosephAW]

Part of the problem with the newer devices are there are tens of dozens of bogus screenshots in the camera roll because Apple decided to move the action to the two side buttons resulting in accidental captures.
Would rather have the option to disable it altogether or reassign it to a different button sequence or require the virtual home button and the side button to activate it like before which resulted in fewer accidental captures. 📱

 

[Naor]

Thank you! I really hated this!

 

[Scotty_Trees]

Honestly, this is a small good change for me that I didn't know I needed. Whenever I screenshot, I almost always click on the tiny thumbnail to be full screen so I can edit it or send it to my friends. This new change just makes it easier and quicker to do what I'm already doing so I'll be keeping it on. Good find, thanks.

 

[banfiz]

I use the screenshot facility a lot and in 90% or more of the time I need to edit / crop the screenshot. I tap the preview in the bottom left so automatically I had time to go over it to even remember that's how it worked!
Personally I think this is a good change and if if can be reverted for some who do not like it, all the better.

 

[Powerbooky]

Part of the problem with the newer devices are there are tens of dozens of bogus screenshots in the camera roll because Apple decided to move the action to the two side buttons resulting in accidental captures.
Would rather have the option to disable it altogether or reassign it to a different button sequence or require the virtual home button and the side button to activate it like before which resulted in fewer accidental captures. 📱

How about that slide switch on the side? I use a case that fully recesses that switch, avoiding many incidents where I inadvertently "silenced" the phone without knowing. From the moment I got my first iPhone I wanted to change (or disable) that switch - still not possible. Especially when Focus modes were introduced that basically can do exactly the same thing. I want that slide switch configurable.

Maybe to disable/enable screen shots? Or set a specific focus mode? Or maybe a HomeKit mode/scene?

 

[eifelbube]

I think I prefer this in most cases. (An exception is when you want to take many screenshots in succession.) It’s always annoying when the thumbnail disappears too fast and you have to dig up the screenshot in Photos, and then don’t have the same options anymore. In general, it would be nice if screenshots could be saved “as is” to resume editing later (with options like Full Page preserved).

… that is why i like the swipe-up-from-bottom-left-corner option available in iPad OS!

 

[klasma]

… that is why i like the swipe-up-from-bottom-left-corner option available in iPad OS!

Nice, I didn’t know (or forgot) that option exists.

 

[CarlJ]

In contrast, the new full-screen preview mode in iOS 26 displays your screenshot across the entire display by default, complete with editing tools and Visual Intelligence options at the bottom.

Thank you Apple, for putting in a toggle, and thank you, MacRumors, for publishing this article. I use screenshots a lot (often several in quick succession), and having it go to a full screen preview that I need to dismiss every time would be absolutely crazy-making.

 

[Ledsteplin]

"Here's what I found for screenshots on the web."

I have a slightly different problem: I inadvertently take screenshots just by picking up the phone. I wish Apple had left the power button on the top of the device, rather than opposite the volume buttons (though I realize that's inconvenient with ginormous phones).

Do you have screenshots set up for back tap in Settings > Accessibility? If so, that could cause your problem.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

I very rarely take screenshots, and have never used Apple Intelligence to analyze a screenshot, but shouldn't there be a simpler way to tell Apple Intelligence to analyze what's on your screen than requiring you to first take a screenshot of it?

 

[matsan]

I have a slightly different problem: I inadvertently take screenshots just by picking up the phone. I wish Apple had left the power button on the top of the device, rather than opposite the volume buttons (though I realize that's inconvenient with ginormous phones).

I have countless screenshots of my Lock Screen…

 

[soundsgoodtome]

Also, in iOS 26, Apple has removed the live-text feature from screenshots—a feature that I use (or used) several times a week. I'm furious. I've twice reported the omission via Feedback Assistant, but with each new build, it never reappears.

It drives me nuts when useful features are inexplicably removed.