Find out how to export a video frame as a photo in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate to capture a moment in the clip without having to take a screenshot.
While taking a screenshot on both iOS and macOS is super easy, doing it to save a scene in the video can also capture other elements like the top status bar, which you’ll have to eventually crop out.
Therefore, if your goal is to simply save a single frame from a video, the built-in frame capture feature in iOS 27 and macOS 27 offers a much cleaner and more convenient solution.
Note that as of now, this new feature only works in the Apple Photos app. Secondly, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate are currently in the developer beta stage, with full release expected around September.
iPhone or iPad
- Open the iOS 27 Photos app and play the video there.
- Pause the video frame at the right time. It also works if you don’t pause it, but pausing helps capture exactly what you want.
- Tap the three-dot menu at the top, then select Save Video Frame as Photo.
- Now, go to the main library section, and the most recent image is the saved video frame.
Mac
- Open the Apple Photos app and play a video there.
- Pause the video at the right time for precise capture.
- Control-click or right-click on the video and select Save Video Frame as Photo. You can also click Image > Save Video Frame as Photo from the top menu bar.
- You’ll find this saved video frame in the Library section of the Photos app.
Even though Apple added this feature recently, it is in no way new or revolutionary. Apps like VLC have had this option for a long time. Just click Video > Snapshot in the VLC menu bar or press the Option + Command + S keys.
Similarly, you can use my favorite Enhancer for YouTube browser extension to capture a frame of a YouTube video.
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