Why am I asked to save a screenshot in the photos or file app?

Review this support article on the 2 methods of choosing and saving screenshots that is for iPad OS 16. You are always given the option of a screenshot or the entire page.

Take a screenshot or screen recording on iPad - Apple Support

The previous link I supplied was for iPadOS 17. Starting in iPadOS 17, you can still choose between the screen shot and entire page, but choosing ScreenShot will automatically save it to your Photo Library and choosing entire page gives you the option of either Photos or the Files app.

The difference in choosing a screenshot and entire page as pdf makes little difference other than the file format if the contents fit on your screen. When viewing a web site that has multiple pages that will not fit on the screen, then choosing the entire page option will include all pages of the site instead of just what you see on the screen.

Richard.Taylor wrote:

One difference would be that, if you save it to Photos, it is automatically synced to iCloud Photos and to Photos on all your devices. It becomes one of your memories, and all that other stuff that Photos does. Saved to Files, the screenshot won't appear along side your family pictures.

But, depending on how you have things set up, it will appear on all of your devices.

One difference would be that, if you save it to Photos, it is automatically synced to iCloud Photos and to Photos on all your devices. It becomes one of your memories, and all that other stuff that Photos does. Saved to Files, the screenshot won't appear along side your family pictures.

There are 2 ways to take a screen shot. You are using the Full Page screenshot which takes a shot of an entire webpage even if it not showing on the screen and also offers many more options including save location. Most people do not use this method, since they just want a shot of what they see on the screen when they take a screen shot. See this support article to see the regular way to take a screenshot, which will automatically save it to your Photos library with no other prompts.

Take a screenshot on iPad - Apple Support

neTurbrye wrote:

I guess I don’t get the point of the “two locations.” In what circumstances/apps will I not be able to choose selecting an image from one of the two?

The point of having two locations is so that you have a choice. Sometimes, I sometimes store screenshots in Photos, but not always. At other times, it makes more sense to me to store them in files. Do what works best for you.

You get "Save to Photos," "Save to Files," "Save to Quick Note," "Copy and Delete" (which I usually use) and "Delete."

I'm not at all sure what the confusion is. They seem reasonable options to me. I usually get a copy and paste into an email or text or something. Photos and Files each seems like a pretty normal place to put a picture.

What do you expect, instead?

I don't get that prompt. Maybe some 3rd party app like Dropbox does it? Or explain your workflow in more detail.