How to Create App Store Screenshots Without a Designer

You spent six months building your app. You refined every animation, fixed every edge case, and shipped something you are genuinely proud of. Then you opened App Store Connect, saw the screenshot upload fields, and realized you have no idea how to make your app look professional in a 1290x2796 rectangle.

This is the reality for most indie developers. You are not a designer. You do not own Photoshop. And hiring someone to create screenshots for all required device sizes, in multiple languages, feels absurd when your app has earned $47 this month.

Here is the good news: you do not need a designer. The tools and techniques available today make it entirely possible to create screenshots that look professional, communicate your value proposition, and actually convert browsers into downloaders. This guide walks through exactly how to do it.

Why Screenshots Are Your Most Important Conversion Asset

The Above-the-Fold Reality

When a user lands on your App Store listing, they see three things immediately: your icon, your title, and your first two or three screenshots. That is it. Everything else -- your description, your ratings breakdown, your "What's New" section -- requires scrolling or tapping.

Research from SplitMetrics consistently shows that roughly 70% of App Store visitors never scroll past the fold. They make their download decision based entirely on what they see in those first few seconds. Your screenshots are the largest visual element in that initial view, which means they carry the majority of the persuasion burden. For a deeper look at the design principles that drive conversions, see our screenshot best practices guide.

This is not an abstract design principle. It is a math problem. If your listing gets 1,000 impressions per week and your screenshots convert at 30% instead of 25%, that is 50 additional downloads per week -- 2,600 extra downloads per year -- from changing nothing except the images.

Screenshots vs Other Store Listing Elements

Each element of your store listing serves a different purpose in the conversion funnel. Your icon gets users to notice your app in search results. Your title and subtitle influence both search ranking and first impressions. Your ratings provide social proof.

But screenshots are what close the deal. They are the element most strongly correlated with conversion rate -- the percentage of product page visitors who actually tap "Get." StoreMaven's data across thousands of A/B tests suggests that screenshot changes produce conversion lifts of 20-35% on average, which is significantly higher than changes to descriptions (5-10%) or promotional text (2-5%).

For indie developers without marketing budgets, this makes screenshots the single highest-ROI activity you can invest time in. A few hours of work on your screenshots will almost certainly produce more downloads than a few hours spent on any other marketing activity.

The 3 Approaches to Creating Screenshots

Before jumping into the how-to, it helps to understand your options. Each approach trades off between control, speed, and skill required.

Approach 1: Figma (Full DIY)

Figma is free, powerful, and the tool of choice for many developers who dabble in design. It gives you complete control over every pixel, supports vector graphics, and has a thriving community of shared templates and resources.

The appeal is obvious: total creative freedom at zero cost. You can design exactly what you envision, export at any resolution, and iterate as much as you want.

The downsides are less obvious until you are knee-deep in the process. You need to source device frames yourself (and many free ones are outdated or inaccurate). You need to manually set up export presets for every required screen size -- 6.7-inch, 6.5-inch, 5.5-inch for iOS alone, plus tablet sizes if you support iPad. Managing multi-language variants means duplicating your entire design for each locale and manually swapping text. What started as "I will just use Figma" becomes a 15-hour project.

Figma is the right choice if you have some design experience, enjoy the process, and are working on a single app with one or two localizations. It is the wrong choice if you need to move fast across multiple devices and languages.

Approach 2: Canva (Template-Based)

Canva lowers the barrier to entry dramatically. Its drag-and-drop editor, massive template library, and intuitive interface mean you can produce something decent-looking in under an hour, even with zero design skills.

The problem is that Canva's templates are generic. They were not designed for app store screenshots specifically, which means the dimensions are often wrong, the device frames are limited or outdated, and the layout patterns do not follow app store conventions. Your screenshots end up looking like social media graphics squeezed into the wrong aspect ratio.

There is also the "Canva look" problem. Because millions of people use the same templates, experienced users (and your competitors' customers) can spot a Canva design instantly. It is the app store equivalent of a Times New Roman resume -- technically functional, but it signals that you did not invest much effort.

Canva works if you need something fast and temporary. It is not the long-term solution for an app you are serious about growing.

Approach 3: Dedicated Screenshot Tools

Tools built specifically for app store screenshots -- StoreLit, AppLaunchpad, AppScreens -- solve the problems that general-purpose design tools create. They ship with accurate, up-to-date device frames. They know the exact export dimensions for every required device size. Their workflows are designed around the specific task of creating store screenshots, which eliminates the setup overhead.

The tradeoff is design flexibility. You are working within the constraints of the tool's template system and element library rather than having a blank canvas. For most indie developers, this is actually a benefit -- constraints prevent you from making poor design decisions and keep you focused on what matters: clear communication of your app's value.

Dedicated tools are the right choice if you want professional results in minimum time and do not have a strong design background. They are the wrong choice if you need highly custom, brand-specific designs that push beyond template-based layouts. For a head-to-head comparison of these approaches, read our Figma vs Canva vs dedicated tools breakdown.

Step-by-Step: Creating Professional Screenshots

Regardless of which tool you use, the process follows the same fundamental steps. I will walk through these using StoreLit as the example since it is purpose-built for this workflow, but the principles apply to any approach.

Step 1: Set Up Your Project

Start by entering your app's App Store or Play Store URL. StoreLit automatically pulls your existing screenshots, icon, and metadata to pre-populate the canvas. Choose your target device model -- iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 15, iPad Pro, Pixel 9, or any of the 14 supported models -- and the tool sets up the correct dimensions automatically.

This automatic setup matters more than it sounds. Getting the dimensions wrong is one of the most common mistakes indie developers make, and it results in either rejection during review or screenshots that look stretched or compressed on the actual store page. Starting with the correct dimensions eliminates an entire category of errors.

If you are building from scratch in Figma, you need to manually create artboards at the following sizes for iOS: 1290x2796 (6.7-inch), 1284x2778 (6.5-inch), and 1242x2208 (5.5-inch). For Google Play, you need phone screenshots at 1080x1920 minimum, plus 7-inch and 10-inch tablet sizes. For every required dimension across both platforms, see our screenshot sizes guide. StoreLit and similar tools handle this automatically.

Step 2: Choose a Template or Start from Scratch

Browse the template gallery to find a style that fits your app's category and brand. Good templates include pre-configured layouts with device frames positioned correctly, text areas sized for readable captions, and background treatments that create visual depth.

When choosing a template, look for three things. First, does it give your actual app UI enough visual space? The device frame should dominate the screenshot -- users want to see your app, not your marketing graphics. Second, does the caption area work at thumbnail size? If the text area is too small in the template, your captions will be unreadable in search results. Third, does the overall style match your app's personality? A playful gradient background works for a social app but not for a finance tool.

You can always start from a blank canvas if you prefer full control. But for most indie developers, starting with a template and customizing it is faster and produces better results than starting from nothing.

Step 3: Add Your Screenshots and Customize

Drop your app screenshots into the device frames and adjust positioning. This is where you make the critical decision of which screens to show and how to frame them.

The golden rule: show your app's best state, not its empty state. Nobody wants to download an app that looks like it has no content. Populate your app with realistic sample data before taking screenshots. If your app is a to-do list, fill it with interesting tasks. If it is a photo editor, show a stunning before-and-after. If it is a weather app, show it during interesting weather, not a bland sunny day.

Add caption text above or below the device frame, customize background colors or gradients to match your brand, and add supplementary elements like badges ("New," "#1 in Productivity") or feature callouts. The properties panel in StoreLit lets you fine-tune every element's position, size, rotation, and styling.

Keep backgrounds clean. A solid color or subtle gradient almost always works better than a complex pattern or stock photo background. The focus should be on your app and your caption, not on the background competing for attention.

Step 4: Write Your Captions (or Generate Them with AI)

Captions are the text overlays on your screenshots -- "Track Your Habits Effortlessly," "Organize Everything in One Place," and so on. They are not optional. Screenshots without captions are naked screenshots, and they convert significantly worse than captioned ones.

StoreLit offers AI caption generation that analyzes your app metadata and competitor patterns to suggest captions following proven formulas. This gives you a strong starting point, especially if staring at a blank text field gives you writer's block. Review and edit the suggestions -- AI understands patterns, but you understand your specific users.

If you prefer writing captions manually, follow the tips in the next section. Either way, spend real time on your captions. They are the words that sell your app to someone who will never read your description.

Step 5: Export for All Required Sizes

This is where dedicated tools save the most time. Use batch export to generate screenshots for all required device sizes in one click. StoreLit handles the resizing and formatting, ensuring each export meets Apple's and Google's exact specifications.

If you are using Figma, this step means manually exporting each artboard at the correct resolution and double-checking file sizes and formats. For iOS, screenshots must be PNG or JPEG with no alpha channel. For Google Play, JPEG or 24-bit PNG, minimum 320px on the short side, maximum 3840px on the long side.

Export all slides at once and organize them by device size before uploading to App Store Connect or Google Play Console. Label your files clearly -- future you will thank present you when it is time to update screenshots for the next version.

Caption Writing Tips That Actually Convert

Lead with Benefits, Not Features

This is the oldest copywriting advice in existence, and developers still get it wrong every single time. The reason is that developers think in features because they built the features. Users think in outcomes because they want the outcomes.

"AES-256 Encryption" is a feature. "Your Data Stays Private" is a benefit. "Syncs Across Devices" is a feature. "Pick Up Where You Left Off" is a benefit. "AI-Powered Sorting" is a feature. "Find Anything in Seconds" is a benefit.

Every caption should answer the user's implicit question: "What is in it for me?" Frame each screenshot around a user outcome, not a technical capability. The formula is simple: take the feature you want to highlight, ask "so what?" twice, and the answer to the second "so what?" is your caption.

The 5-8 Word Sweet Spot

Captions need to be scannable at thumbnail size. When your screenshot appears in search results, it is roughly 150 pixels wide on a phone screen. At that size, a 12-word caption becomes an illegible blur.

Keep captions between 5 and 8 words. "Track Habits That Actually Stick" (5 words) works. "Easily Track and Monitor All of Your Daily Habits and Routines" (11 words) does not. Ruthlessly cut every word that does not earn its place.

Test your captions by viewing your screenshots at 50% zoom on your monitor. If you cannot read the caption instantly, it is either too long, the font is too small, or both. This simple test catches more problems than any design review.

Use Action Verbs and Power Words

Start captions with strong verbs: "Track," "Discover," "Organize," "Unlock," "Build," "Master," "Simplify." These verbs create momentum and imply that the user will be doing something valuable.

Power words like "instantly," "effortlessly," and "automatically" create a sense of ease and low friction. They counteract the user's natural hesitation about whether this app will be too complicated or too much work.

Avoid generic claims like "Best App for..." or "Easy to Use." Every app makes these claims, which means they carry zero information. They waste your precious caption space on words that do not differentiate you from anything.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Mistake 1: Showing Raw Screenshots Without Context

Taking a screenshot of your app and uploading it directly to App Store Connect is the developer equivalent of showing up to a job interview in pajamas. It might technically get the message across, but it signals that you did not care enough to make an effort.

A bare screenshot without a device frame, caption, or background looks unprofessional and fails to communicate value at a glance. Users scroll quickly through search results, spending 1-2 seconds per result. Uncontextualized screenshots blend into the noise and get scrolled past.

Always wrap your screenshots in a visual narrative. At minimum, add a device frame and a caption. Ideally, add a background color that creates contrast and makes your screenshots pop against the white or dark store background.

Mistake 2: Using All Screenshots for the Same Message

This happens more often than you would expect. A developer has a great onboarding flow, so they show five screenshots of the onboarding. Or they are proud of their settings page, so three screenshots show different settings screens. Meanwhile, users have no idea what the app actually does.

Each screenshot slot is valuable real estate. Plan your screenshot sequence like a narrative arc: hook with your best feature first, then progressively reveal additional value. A good sequence for a productivity app might be: (1) the core task view showing the app in action, (2) a unique feature that differentiates you, (3) organization or customization capabilities, (4) cross-platform sync or sharing, (5) a "social proof" screenshot with stats or integrations.

Aim for each screenshot to communicate a distinct benefit or use case. If two screenshots say the same thing, cut one.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Platform-Specific Requirements

iOS and Android have different screenshot size requirements, different numbers of allowed screenshots, and different display behaviors. What looks great at the iPhone 16 Pro resolution may need significant adjustments for the Pixel device screenshots. Apple requires up to 10 screenshots per localization; Google Play allows up to 8 for phone and additional sets for tablet and Chromebook.

Beyond sizes, the visual conventions differ too. iOS users expect a certain polish level because the top apps on the App Store invest heavily in screenshot design. Google Play is slightly more forgiving, but the bar is rising. Either way, uploading identical screenshots to both platforms without adjusting for each platform's display context is a missed opportunity.

Always check the latest requirements on Apple's and Google's developer documentation. These specifications change periodically, and uploading screenshots with wrong dimensions can delay your review.

Device Frame Best Practices

Choosing the Right Device Model

Use the latest device model for your primary screenshots. It signals that your app is modern, maintained, and optimized for current hardware. For iOS, the iPhone 16 Pro is the current standard. For Android, Pixel 9 or Galaxy S24 frames work well. StoreLit includes 14 device models spanning iPhones, iPads, and common Android devices.

Avoid using outdated devices like iPhone 11 or Pixel 4. Even if your app still supports those devices, showcasing them in your screenshots subtly suggests your app has not been updated recently. Users make snap judgments, and an old device frame creates the wrong impression.

Frame Positioning and Sizing

The device frame should be large enough to show your app's UI clearly but not so large that it consumes the entire screenshot with no room for captions or context. A good rule of thumb: the device occupies 55-70% of the screenshot height, with the remaining space used for caption text and background breathing room.

Slightly angled or offset device positioning can add visual dynamism. A 5-10 degree tilt or a device positioned slightly left of center with the caption on the right creates movement and avoids the static "centered and straight" look that many templates default to. But do not sacrifice readability for style -- if the tilt makes the app UI harder to see, straighten it out.

When to Skip the Device Frame

For some app categories, full-bleed screenshots without device frames are more effective. Games frequently use this approach, showing gameplay filling the entire screenshot area. Media apps, photo editors, and camera apps also benefit from maximum visual area rather than a device border eating into the space.

The test is simple: is your app's visual content the primary selling point? If users need to see the detail and quality of your visuals to be persuaded, skip the frame. If your app's UI is the selling point and needs context (captions explaining what the user is looking at), use a frame.

Look at the top 10 apps in your category. If most of them use device frames, you should probably use one too. If most go full-bleed, follow suit. Matching category conventions helps users parse your screenshots quickly.

Localization: Screenshots for Multiple Markets

Why Localized Screenshots Matter

If your app is available in multiple countries, localizing your screenshots is one of the highest-impact things you can do. Apple's own data indicates that localized product pages convert 1.5-2x better than English-only pages in non-English-speaking markets. That is not a marginal improvement -- it is a doubling of your conversion rate in those regions.

Localization means more than translating captions. It means adapting the visual language to local expectations. A screenshot showcasing a feature in pounds and miles works for the UK but creates friction in Germany, where euros and kilometers are expected. Currency symbols, date formats, measurement units, and even the sample content in your app should reflect the target market.

Managing Multiple Languages Efficiently

This is where the choice of tool matters enormously. In Figma, managing 5 languages across 10 screenshots across 3 device sizes means 150 individual exports. One typo correction cascades into 15 files that need updating. It is a maintenance nightmare.

Dedicated screenshot tools handle this differently. StoreLit supports AI-powered caption translation that adapts your captions for multiple languages in a marketing-appropriate tone -- not literal Google Translate output, but localized marketing copy that sounds natural. You work on your layouts once and export across languages.

Even if you handle translations manually, having a tool that separates the text content from the visual layout saves enormous time on updates.

Quick Checklist Before Publishing

Visual Quality Check

Before uploading, verify that all screenshots are high resolution with no pixelation or compression artifacts. Check that text is readable at thumbnail size by viewing at 50% zoom on your monitor. Confirm that device frames match your target platform -- iPhone frames for the App Store, Android frames for Google Play. Ensure color contrast meets accessibility standards, especially for caption text against background colors. Verify consistent visual style across all screenshots: same fonts, same color palette, consistent spacing.

Content and Strategy Check

Your first screenshot must communicate your app's core value proposition -- this is not negotiable. Each subsequent screenshot should highlight a different feature or benefit, not variations of the same thing. Confirm that all captions are benefit-focused rather than feature-focused, and that they are 5-8 words maximum. If you are targeting multiple markets, verify that screenshots are localized for each one. Double-check that export dimensions match current App Store and Play Store requirements.

Final Upload Check

Confirm that all required sizes are exported: 6.7-inch, 6.5-inch, and 5.5-inch for iOS, plus phone and tablet sizes for Android. Verify that file formats meet store requirements -- PNG or JPEG with no alpha channel for iOS. Order your screenshots strategically, with your strongest shot first. And critically, preview how they look in search results, not just on the product page. The search results view is where most users first encounter your screenshots, and it shows them at a much smaller size. If they work there, they work everywhere.

What Good Screenshots Actually Look Like

The best app store screenshots share a few characteristics that are worth studying. Look at the top apps in your category -- not just the top 3, which may have custom agency work, but the top 10-25. You will notice patterns.

Most use a consistent color scheme across all screenshots that reinforces their brand. Most use device frames with clean, realistic mockups rather than flat UI dumps. Most lead with their strongest, most differentiated feature rather than a login screen or home feed. And most use short, punchy captions that communicate outcomes, not specifications.

Copy the patterns, not the specifics. If every top competitor uses a gradient background with a centered device, try a different background treatment or device position that still looks polished but stands out from the crowd.

Moving Forward

Creating professional screenshots without a designer is not just possible -- it is the norm for successful indie developers. The tools have caught up to the need. What separates good screenshots from bad ones is not design skill or budget. It is willingness to invest a few hours in understanding what converts, studying what works in your category, and iterating on your approach.

Start with a dedicated screenshot tool like StoreLit to eliminate the technical friction. Focus your energy on what actually matters: choosing the right screens to showcase, writing captions that communicate benefits, and ensuring your screenshots tell a coherent story about why someone should download your app.

Then ship it. Your first set of screenshots does not need to be perfect. It needs to be significantly better than raw screenshots, and it needs to exist. You can always iterate as you learn what converts for your specific audience.