In iOS 26 a way to save screen shot to Photos app?

rufus290 wrote:

Thanks Jim but everything is off under "screen capture" in General settings - all 3 items. I still have to hit the ✅ in the top right corner - and then "save to photos" instead of swiping it out of the way like previously. It's a pain.

• So, are you seeing the thumbnail in the lower left corner?
• Are you tapping the thumbnail in the lower left corner instead of swiping it to the left off the screen?
• Does the same thing happen when not interacting at all with the thumbnail?

When I swipe left on the thumbnail to swipe it off the screen or don't tap the thumbnail at all, I never see the preview where you have to tap the checkmark in the upper right. If that is not how it is working for you, I would try to toggle the Full Screen Preview setting on, then off again. To confirm I am using iOS 26.2.1.

I don't have an embedded video of my own to include, but here is one that works exactly like it does on my device and also shows swiping the thumbnail offscreen like you were able to do before without having to tap the checkmark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aLv28wr6SY

Strgzr wrote:

Nevermind, I finally found them in one of those TOO MANY subfolders in photos...how I wish I could delete all unwanted (guess I'll send FEEDBACK again).

I assume you are referring to viewing photos in Collections since you mention subfolders. You now how much more customization options when viewing collections of photos then you ever had before. You can:

• Reorder collections so they appear in any order you wish.
• Pin collections that you use frequently, so those photos are always available on top.

Browse your photo collections on iPhone - Apple Support

The alternative to using the Collections is just use the Library option on top. You can have your Screenshots included there just like all your other photos. Tap the Sort/Filter button on top (3 lines) and make sure under View Options that Screenshots are included. You will find this view more like what you would expect in the previous Photos app where the most recent Photo/Screenshot added will be on the bottom.

Certainly send Feedback to let Apple know how you feel. Others have done that because they wanted more options when using the Photos app, similar to other apps that they may use, and unfortunately when you add more options, it also increases complexity. It is a fine line between having the options for those that want it and not changing anything for those that don't.

rufus290 wrote:

This is an awkward way of doing it. Before the update you could swipe the screenshot out of the way and go back to messages/whatsapp/wechat whatever and add from photos. The "update" adds several screen presses in an area not super accessible before you can get the screenshot into photos. Many things I don't like about this update. This is a big one.

You still can! I don't know how it can be more clear. If you want to use screen shots the way you did before, just make sure you have Full Screen Previews turned off at Settings > General > Screen Capture.

• When the thumbnail appears in the lower left corner, swipe it further left off the screen just like you always did and return to whatever you were doing.
• The screenshot is going to save to Photos automatically whether you swipe the thumbnail off the screen or let it sit for the second and disappear on its own.
• The ONLY difference is when you tap on the thumbnail that appears. Before it opened in Photos, and now if you do that it opens the Preview page for you to make modifications and you will need to tap the checkmark on the upper right to save. Don't tap the thumbnail unless you want to edit it before it is saved or change the location to save the screenshot.

george hfromhudson wrote:

I want my screenshots to go to photos, nowhere else. Why ipadOS26 wants to make this so difficult makes no sense.

Screenshots are automatically saved to Photos if you just turn off Previews at Settings > General > Screen Capture > Full Screen Previews. After you take the screenshot, don't tap the thumbnail that appears in the lower left of the screen, otherwise you will open the Preview to make changes and will then have to choose where you want it saved. Problem solved!

If you have the Preview option turned off like Mac Jim suggested, then it show a small thumbnail on the bottom left corner and just directly saves to the Photos app automatically and should be visible either in the Screenshot collection under Media Types or just in the general Library at the very bottom.

If you get the gull screen preview, and you tap on the x in the corner then it will just discard the screenshot and not save it.

When you take a screen shot, it should open in the Preview view, If you tap on the checkmark at the top right, the menu there has a "Save to Photos" option.

Thanks Jim but everything is off under "screen capture" in General settings - all 3 items. I still have to hit the ✅ in the top right corner - and then "save to photos" instead of swiping it out of the way like previously. It's a pain.

After it is saved to Photos when you take a screenshot, make sure you can view them by tapping the Filter button (3 lines) on the top your Library in Photos and choosing View Options. Here is a screenshot to make sure you have them included.

You can also view them in Photos by going to Collections and then viewing just the Screenshots there.

Take a screenshot on iPad - Apple Support

Did the Preview pane open automatically after you took the screenshot or did you tap small thumbnail that appeared in the lower left corner after taking the screenshot?

george hfromhudson wrote: … I want my screenshots to go to photos, nowhere else. Why ipadOS26 wants to make this so difficult makes no sense.

A good idea, then, would be to tap the "Save to Photos" choice. I've got to say, it just doesn't seem very difficult.

In my case, I usually choose to AirDrop to my Mac for use here, for instance, and then I delete the screenshot.

and then I delete the screenshot which, conveniently, is on the same menu as "save."

Phil... when I take a screenshot it just disappears after making the sound and I cannot find it in photos. Where is it? This 26.2 has so many categories I just want to see my photos and the folders I made and I can't find any options to get rid of all the other categories nor can I find the screenshots I just took. Is there a way to get rid of the categories when I don't see a menu there? I hope you see this and reply thanks ahead!

MacJim yes, I understand all those options, and re that "fine line between those who want more and those who don't" ...the solving of that would be to allow buttons to DELETE in the area of REORDER for all those Collections not wanted-which is what I sent to FEEDBACK today. Tks for all your explanations tho' makes it easier to understand.

This is an awkward way of doing it. Before the update you could swipe the screenshot out of the way and go back to messages/whatsapp/wechat whatever and add from photos. The "update" adds several screen presses in an area not super accessible before you can get the screenshot into photos. Many things I don't like about this update. This is a big one. Don't get me started on safari 🙄😭😅

Strgzr wrote:

Yes I understand others wanted more choices, but re Collections I just want option to not have some of those titles, or to delete or turn off some.

I believe you have sent Feedback to Apple as stated in your previous post. That is how you would express to Apple a Feature Request you would like to see. There is nothing additional we can provide other than reordering the items you see, so the most relevant ones for you are on top or "Pin" the collections you use frequently.

MacJim yes, I understand all those options, and re that "fine line between those who want more and those who don't" ...the solving of that would be to allow buttons to DELETE in the area of REORDER for all those Collections not wanted-which is what I sent to FEEDBACK today. Tks for all your explanations tho' makes it easier to understand.

I want my screenshots to go to photos, nowhere else. Why ipadOS26 wants to make this so difficult makes no sense.

Nevermind, I finally found them in one of those TOO MANY subfolders in photos...how I wish I could delete all unwanted (guess I'll send FEEDBACK again).