How to Capture a Full-Page (Scrolling) Screenshot on iPhone
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Most iPhone owners can rattle off the button combo for a regular screenshot, but very few realise iOS has a built-in way to grab an entire webpage, long note, or lengthy chat thread in a single shot—no third-party apps required. Below is everything you need to know, from the basic capture steps to trimming and exporting the image so it looks perfect in your camera roll or PDF library.
Why You’ll Love Full-Page Screenshots
Complete context – No awkward stitching or missing paragraphs.
Share-ready – Send a single file instead of a dozen separate images.
Built-in editing – Mark up, crop, or highlight right inside iOS before you press “Save.”
Supported iOS versions:
Full-Page capture debuted in iOS 13 (PDF-only). Starting iOS 17, you can save as PNG images too. All instructions below work on iOS 18.2 or later—the current public release.
Step-by-Step: Capture Your Scrolling Screenshot
Open the content you want to capture
Safari webpages, Notes, Mail messages, and many third-party apps that use Apple’s standard scroll view are eligible. (If you don’t see the Full Page option in Step 4, the app doesn’t support it yet.)
Take a normal screenshot
Face ID models: Side button + Volume Up
Touch ID/Home button models: Side/Top button + Home
Tap the screenshot thumbnail (bottom-left corner) before it slides away.
This launches the iOS Markup editor.
Switch to the “Full Page” tab
You’ll see Screen and Full Page at the top.
Tap Full Page to load the scrolling preview on the right side.
Fine-tune the capture length (optional)
Drag the scroll-bar preview to jump to specific sections.
Tap the Crop icon (square with outward arrows) to drag crop handles and capture only part of the scroll.
Make annotations or highlights (optional)
Use the Markup tools—pen, highlighter, text, shapes—to call attention to key areas.
Save or share
Tap Done > Save to Photos to store as a long PNG (iOS 17+)
Or choose Done > Save PDF to Files if you prefer a PDF.
You can also hit the Share button to AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or any other app directly.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Goal | Trick |
Keep file size down | After Step 4, crop excess blank space at top/bottom. |
Highlight key sections | Use the highlighter at 50 % opacity—readable yet eye-catching. |
Capture in unsupported apps | Try printing to PDF (Share > Print > pinch-out preview > Share) or use a dedicated stitcher such as Picsew or Tailor. |
Automate | Build a Shortcuts action: Get Screenshot → Change Type → Save to Photos for one-tap full-page grabs in supported apps. |
Troubleshooting
Problem | Fix |
No “Full Page” tab appears | The app’s scroll view isn’t using Apple’s native API. Use Print-to-PDF or a third-party stitcher. |
Crop handles won’t move | Make sure you tapped the Crop icon first; handles stay locked until then. |
Screenshot saves as PDF but I need PNG | Verify you’re on iOS 17 or later. Older versions only export PDF. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work inside social media apps?
Not natively—most use custom web views. Use their in-app share sheets or a third-party screenshot stitcher instead.
Can I convert an old PDF full-page capture to PNG?
Yes. Open the PDF in Files > tap Share > Save Image. iOS converts each page to a PNG.
Will cropping reduce quality?
No. Cropping trims the canvas; no additional compression is applied when saving as PNG or PDF.
The Bottom Line
Once you master the “Full Page” tab in iOS’s screenshot editor, you’ll never need to piece together multiple images again. Whether you’re archiving a recipe, saving a long receipt, or capturing that epic group chat for posterity, full-page screenshots keep everything tidy and shareable in a single file.
Give it a try the next time you land on a page that’s too tall for just one screen—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Exploring Tech Together,
Paul
