Apple is adding a native video frame extraction tool to the Photos app in iOS 27, letting iPhone users save a still image directly from any video at full resolution without taking a screenshot.
The feature, called Save Video Frame as Photo, appears in the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the Photos video player.
Pause a video on the frame you want, tap the option, and Photos saves it as a standalone image in your library.
Save a Full-Resolution Photo From Any Video
Until now, the only practical way to capture a still from a video on an iPhone was to take a screenshot.
That approach captures everything on the display, including playback controls and the status bar. Cropping removes those elements, but it doesn’t restore the image quality lost in the process.
Modern iPhones can record video in up to 4K resolution, while a screenshot is limited to your display’s resolution. That difference becomes noticeable when printing photos, viewing them on larger screens, or zooming in.
Instead of capturing the display, the new Photos tool reads the video file directly and saves the selected frame at its original resolution. The result is a full-quality photo without interface elements or quality loss.
Apple Brings Frame Extraction to Saved Videos
iPhones have long let users capture a photo while recording video. Tapping the shutter button during recording saves a still image without interrupting the video.
iOS 27 extends that convenience to videos already stored in your library. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a child’s first steps, or a split-second expression, you can now save a single frame as a proper photo in just a few taps.
iOS 27 is currently available in developer beta and is expected to launch publicly this fall alongside Apple’s next iPhone lineup.
The Save Video Frame as Photo option will be available on compatible iPhones running iOS 27.
