---
title: "Why iPhone screenshots are PNG"
description: "iPhone screenshots are PNG, according to one guide, so text and sharp edges stay crisp. See where Apple says they are saved and how to clear them in PicWay."
url: "https://picway.app/guides/why-iphone-screenshots-are-png/"
lang: "en"
type: "guides"
updated: "2026-11-01"
published: "2026-11-01"
keywords: "why iPhone screenshots are PNG"
---

# Why iPhone screenshots are PNG

URL: https://picway.app/guides/why-iphone-screenshots-are-png/
Markdown: https://picway.app/guides/why-iphone-screenshots-are-png/index.md
Last updated: 2026-11-01

According to FreeToolOnline, iPhone screenshots are PNG because iOS saves side-button captures and Markup exports as PNG rather than HEIC, and PNG keeps solid colors, sharp edges, and on-screen text crisp. Apple’s screenshot guide doesn’t name the file format, so treat the format detail as third-party.

## How to do it {#steps}

1. **Find your screenshots**: In the Photos app, tap Collections, scroll down to Media Types, then tap Screenshots. This is where Apple says your screenshots are saved.
2. **Judge how many you really need**: Scroll through the Screenshots collection and note how many are receipts, maps, chats, or codes you already used. Those are the ones to clear.
3. **Open Screen captures in PicWay**: Scroll down PicWay’s Memories tab to More ways to tidy, tap View all, then tap Screen captures under Quick tidy.
4. **Swipe through and set aside**: Swipe left or right to move to the next one, swipe up to set one aside, and double-tap any you want to keep to favorite it.

## What do we know about the screenshot format? {#screenshot-format}

According to [FreeToolOnline](https://freetoolonline.com/guides/en/iphone-photo-format-explained-heic-jpg-png-raw.html), screenshots come from the side-button capture and Markup export, and iOS saves those as PNG rather than HEIC. The same guide says that is so solid colors, sharp edges, and on-screen text stay crisp with no compression artifacts.

Apple’s screenshot guide doesn’t mention PNG. It says screenshots are automatically saved to your photo library, and that you can save screenshots in SDR or HDR format in the screen capture settings ([Apple’s screenshot guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/take-a-screenshot-iphc872c0115/ios)). The format claim on this page is the third-party source’s, not Apple’s.

## Where do I find my screenshots? {#find-screenshots}

Apple says to open Photos, tap Collections, scroll down to Media Types, then tap Screenshots. They are mixed into your main library too, which is why they are easy to forget.

## Do screenshots really take up that much space? {#screenshot-space}

Neither Apple’s page nor the third-party guide gives a size per screenshot, so this page doesn’t quote one. What adds up is volume: receipts, maps, chats, and codes you captured once and never looked at again.

| Question | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| What format? | PNG, according to FreeToolOnline |
| Where are they saved? | Your photo library, per Apple |
| How many do I have? | Check Collections > Media Types > Screenshots |

## How do I clear them in PicWay? {#clear-in-picway}

PicWay has a **Screen captures** page for this. Open it from **More ways to tidy** on the **Memories** tab. Swipe left or right to move between screenshots, swipe up to set one aside, and double-tap to favorite one you want to keep.

The cleaner has an exit button, so read its label before you tap it. The setting **No screenshots or documents in memories** is on by default, so screenshots stay out of your memories. The full steps are in [how to clean up screenshots on iPhone](https://picway.app/guides/clean-screenshots-iphone/).

## Quick answers {#faq}

### Are all iPhone screenshots PNG? {#faq-all-png}

According to FreeToolOnline, side-button captures and Markup exports are saved as PNG. Apple’s guide doesn’t state the format, so check a screenshot’s details on your own iPhone if it matters.

### Can I get deleted screenshots back? {#faq-recover}

Deleted photos go to Recently Deleted, where you can recover them for 30 days. See [how to recover deleted photos](https://picway.app/guides/recover-deleted-photos/).

### Will clearing screenshots free much space? {#faq-free-space}

It depends on how many you have. For other ways to make room, see [how to free up storage on iPhone](https://picway.app/guides/free-up-iphone-storage/).