iOS 26 brings a fresh new look across the system with rounded corners, glassy effects, and a reworked screenshot tool. But if you’re someone who just wants to take a quick screenshot and move on, you might find the new full-screen preview more frustrating than helpful.
Previously, when you took a screenshot on your iPhone, it would pop up as a small thumbnail in the bottom corner. Tap it to edit, or ignore it and let it vanish—simple. But now, by default, screenshots jump into full view with editing tools front and center. It’s great for power users, but not so great for everyone else.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through why Apple changed it, what happens when you take your first screenshot in iOS 26, and how to disable full-screen screenshot previews on your iPhone.
Why Did Apple Change the Screenshot Tool in iOS 26?
With iOS 26, Apple redesigned the screenshot interface to match the overall “Liquid Glass” aesthetic. It looks modern, lets you mark up screenshots quickly, and gives you fast access to save, share, delete, or move them to Notes or Files. But for users who rarely do any of that, this feature just adds an extra step to something that was once instant.
What Happens the First Time You Take a Screenshot in iOS 26?
Once you update to iOS 26 and take your first screenshot, you’ll see the full-screen preview by default. But Apple also shows a prompt asking if you want to “Switch to Thumbnail View.” If you tapped “Not Now” or missed it, don’t worry—you can still change it anytime in Settings.
How to Turn Off Full-Screen Screenshot Previews on iPhone
If you want to go back to the familiar thumbnail in the bottom-left corner, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to General.
- Tap on Screen Capture (a new section in iOS 26).
- Toggle off Full-Screen Previews.
Once done, screenshots will appear as a small thumbnail in the bottom-left corner again. You can still tap the thumbnail to open the editor, just like before.
What Else You Can Do in the New Screen Capture Settings
The Screen Capture section in iOS 26 is more than just a preview toggle. Here are a few other things you can control:
- Automatic Visual Look Up: Let Apple Intelligence identify landmarks, objects, or text in your screenshots. Available on supported models.
- CarPlay Screenshots: Enable or disable capturing your CarPlay screen while driving.
- Format: Choose between HDR (HEIF + HDR10 for screen recordings) or SDR (PNG + HEVC).
Apple Made It Better—But Gave You the Choice
Apple made screenshots more powerful in iOS 26, but not everyone needs that. Thankfully, the option to disable full-screen previews is just a toggle away. Whether you’re a quick snapper or a markup pro, iOS 26 now lets you choose what works best for your flow.
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