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How to take HDR screenshots on iPhone and iPad

shamsigai

October 13, 2026

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Your iPhone’s display can show far richer colors and brighter highlights than a standard screenshot captures. With iOS 26, Apple finally lets you save screenshots and screen recordings in HDR (High Dynamic Range), preserving the full dynamic range of what’s on your screen. The result is noticeably more vivid captures — deeper shadows, brighter highlights, and colors that pop. Here’s how to turn it on and which devices support it.

What you need for HDR screenshots

HDR capture is available in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, but it only works on devices with an HDR-capable display. For iPhone, that means iPhone X and newer — with the exception of iPhone XR and iPhone 11, which don’t have HDR screens. For iPad, you’ll need a model from the iPad Pro lineup. If your device qualifies, the option appears in Settings; if not, you won’t see the toggle at all.

How to enable HDR mode for screenshots

Switching from standard SDR to HDR takes less than a minute:

1. Open Settings and go to General.
2. Tap Screen Capture (it may appear as Screenshots depending on your region).
3. Switch the format from SDR to HDR.
4. That’s it — from now on, every screenshot and screen recording you take will be saved with the full HDR dynamic range.

Take screenshots exactly as you always have — press the Side button and Volume Up together, or use AssistiveTouch. The difference is in the file itself: HDR captures store a wider range of brightness and color information. If you enjoy pushing your iPhone’s camera and display to their limits, you may also want to read our guide on why spatial photo mode isn’t working in iOS 26.

If it still doesn’t work

Run through these checks if the HDR option is missing or your captures don’t look any different:

• Confirm you’re running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 under Settings → General → Software Update. The HDR toggle doesn’t exist on older versions. If you’ve been delaying the update, see how to completely block iOS 26 updates on iPhone to understand your options either way.
• Make sure your device actually has an HDR display — iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and non-Pro iPads won’t show the option.
• Restart your iPhone or iPad after switching modes; the change sometimes needs a fresh boot to apply cleanly.
• Remember that HDR screenshots are saved in HEIC format with HDR metadata, which has limited compatibility — some apps and other operating systems may not display them correctly. If sharing is more important than quality, switch back to SDR.

FAQ

Do HDR screenshots take up more storage space?

Yes, slightly. The extra brightness and color data means larger files than standard SDR screenshots. If you’re tight on storage, stick with SDR for everyday captures and reserve HDR for shots where quality matters.

Can I convert an HDR screenshot back to SDR?

Not directly on the iPhone. The simplest approach is to switch the Screen Capture setting back to SDR before taking screenshots you plan to share widely. For existing HDR shots, exporting or sharing them through most apps will tone-map them down automatically.

Conclusion

HDR screenshots are one of those quiet iOS 26 upgrades that make a real difference once you notice it. One toggle in Settings, and your captures finally do justice to your iPhone’s display. For more on what’s new in this release, check MacRumors’ iOS 26 roundup and 9to5Mac’s iOS 26 guide, or watch real HDR vs. SDR comparisons on YouTube. Apple’s screenshot support page covers the basics of capturing your screen.