Unofficial archive. This is a read-only, community-run archive of the Apple Support Community. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.
UnnamedNoobie
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

How to take iPhone screenshots without the top status bar?

How do you take a screenshot on an iPhone without the status bar (time, signal strength, battery level)?


Model Name: iPhone 15

iOS Version: 27.0.1


I am trying to create wallpapers for my phone through screenshots.


For example:



Unfortunately, the status bar at the top - consisting of the current time, signal strength and battery level - remained in the image, ruining it as a wallpaper:



How do you exclude this top status bar from screenshots?


I have tried looking within the screen capture settings, but don't find a relevant toggle:



I have considered using some workarounds.


The first is to simply crop the status bar out. However, that results in a smaller image instead of the full-sized image, which is unacceptable to me.


The second is to use some image-editing tool to remove the status bar.


I am leaning towards the second workaround, but thought to post this question here before going down that route. This is such a basic feature, so it would surely be a built-in setting on an iPhone and I have just missed it somehow.


I appreciate anyone pointing me in the right direction.

Thank you in advance.

Posted on Oct 22, 2026 7:40 AM

6 replies

SravanKrA
User level: Level 10 (454,138 points)

Oct 22, 2026 7:48 AM in response to UnnamedNoobie

I don't think it's possible to take a screenshot on an iPhone running iOS without the status bar displaying the clock and other status icons, such as the cellular signal strength, Wi-Fi, and battery indicator. These indicators are normally included in screenshots captured using the standard iOS screenshot function. Unless the screenshot has been edited or the status bar has been hidden through some other method, I would expect these icons to be visible.

Phil0124
User level: Level 10 (242,520 points)

Oct 22, 2026 9:21 AM in response to UnnamedNoobie

It will nomrally depend on what app you are in when you take the screen shot. som apps can hide the status bar. for instance the Photos app wne you open a photo and tap once on it, it will hide all the tools and status bar so you just see the image.


In other apps or places it may not be possible to hide the staus bar, but you can always crop it out after the fact.


UnnamedNoobie Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 22, 2026 7:56 AM in response to SravanKrA

don't think it's possible
Unless the screenshot has been edited or the status bar has been hidden through some other method, I would expect these icons to be visible.

You gotta be kidding me...


Thanks anyway.

Limnos
User level: Level 10 (462,771 points)

Oct 22, 2026 8:05 AM in response to UnnamedNoobie

I don't see any options in Take a screenshot - Apple Support


I'm a bit puzzled as to what is going on here. If that image is one you have set as wallpaper, why do you need to create it again? Go to the image in Photos. If it is a standard Apple wallpaper option then you already have it as wallpaper.


You could use a tool to crop the screenshot you do have in an appropriate ratio so the stuff at the top gets trimmed but you end up with something that's the right ratio. I rarely touch my iPhone so I am thinking of Preview on a computer.

UnnamedNoobie Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 22, 2026 8:24 AM in response to Limnos

If that image is one you have set as wallpaper

It is not. The image is just a sample screenshot. I am not planning to use it as a wallpaper as it is.

lobsterghost1
User level: Level 10 (233,174 points)

Oct 22, 2026 8:24 AM in response to UnnamedNoobie

Like Limos, I too am confused. Where is this photo from you're trying to take a screenshot of?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256380918