Accessible App Screenshots: Make Your App Understandable to Every User

Have you ever wondered what visually impaired users experience when they come across your screenshots?

Not a "poor experience", but nothing at all.

According to WHO data, more than 2.2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment, at least 285 million of whom have low vision or are blind. In China, more than 17 million people have a visual impairment. Apple further strengthened App Store accessibility review standards in 2024; if your screenshots and product page can't be correctly interpreted by assistive technology, it may affect your approval rate.

More importantly, accessible design isn't only for visually impaired users: it benefits everyone.

3 core accessibility problems in app screenshots

Problem 1: VoiceOver can't read text in screenshots

VoiceOver is Apple's screen reader. It can read the text in an app's interface, but screenshots are images, not text. VoiceOver can't recognize the text content in a screenshot.

That means: if your core selling points are only written in your screenshots, visually impaired users simply won't get them.

Problem 2: Insufficient color contrast

Many screenshots chase a "premium" look: low saturation, light gray text, gradient backgrounds. These may look good, but for low-vision users the text may be completely unreadable.

Problem 3: Information conveyed only through color

"Green means available, red means full": if information is distinguished only by color, color-blind users (about 300 million people worldwide) can't get it.

5 principles for accessible screenshots

Principle 1: Don't put key information only in screenshots

This is the most important one. Text in screenshots is a nice extra; it shouldn't be the only way to get key information.

In practice:

• The app description must include the core selling points shown in the screenshots
• The subtitle should convey the core value on its own
• Don't mention key features only in screenshots

Counterexample: a screenshot says "50% off for a limited time", but neither the description nor the subtitle mentions the promotion, so visually impaired users never learn about the deal.

Principle 2: Reach a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1

WCAG 2.1 Level AA requires a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. For a small-format context like screenshots, we recommend at least 4.5:1.

Contrast checking tools:

• WebAIM Contrast Checker (free, online)
• Figma plugin: Contrast (free)
• Built into macOS: Accessibility → Display → Increase contrast

Common low-contrast combinations:

Principle 3: Double-encode with text and icons

Don't rely on color or icons alone to convey information. Combine text and icons so everyone can understand.

Examples:

• ✓ ✓ plus the text "Completed"
• ✗ ✗ plus the text "Full"
• 🔒 🔒 plus the text "Subscription required"

Principle 4: Show an interface that supports Dynamic Type

If your screenshots show the app's interface, make sure that text supports iOS Dynamic Type, so the features shown in the screenshots still make sense when users change their text size.

Note: screenshots themselves don't change with Dynamic Type, but if your app's interface supports it, the interface in your screenshots should show the default text size.

Principle 5: Add accessibility descriptions to screenshots

In App Store Connect, you can add accessibility descriptions (accessibility labels) to screenshots. VoiceOver reads these descriptions aloud to visually impaired users.

How to write them:

• Briefly describe the key information in the screenshot
• Include the core content of the screenshot's text
• Don't describe visual details (such as "a blue button in the top-left corner"); describe meaning (such as "Generate professional screenshots in one tap")

Examples:

• Bad: "Shows a phone screen and a few lines of text"
• Good: "Generate professional app screenshots in 3 seconds, adapted to multiple devices"

Extra benefits of accessible design

Think accessible design is only for a small group of users? These principles help all users:

Conclusion: accessible design isn't an "extra burden"; it's "optimization for everyone".

Recommended tool

Want screenshots that meet accessibility standards out of the box? AppShot Maker (appshotmaker.com) templates use high-contrast color schemes by default with a clear text hierarchy, and you can create multiple screenshot versions for different user scenarios.

Summary

Accessible app screenshot design isn't optional; it's a basic skill for getting your app seen, understood and downloaded by more people.

5 principles:

1. Don't put key information only in screenshots
2. Contrast of at least 4.5:1
3. Double-encode with text and icons
4. Interface supports Dynamic Type
5. Add accessibility descriptions

Good screenshot design isn't "most people can understand it"; it's "everyone can understand it".