Code found in watchOS 27.2 indicates the Apple Watch may gain an iPhone-style screenshot preview that lets users preview, share, or delete a screenshot immediately after taking it. The discovery was made by code explorer pdfu and is currently hidden behind a feature flag that is not enabled, though it could appear in a later watchOS 27.2 beta.
pdfu posted about the finding on Twitter on September 24, 2026, writing: “A new screenshot experience is coming to Apple Watch, inspired by iPhone. Hidden behind a feature flag in watchOS 27.2, it lets you preview, share, or delete a screenshot right after taking it.” The tweet included a screenshot of the code reference.
watchOS 27.2 screenshot preview details
At present, taking a screenshot on Apple Watch sends the image directly to the iPhone Photos app with no confirmation or preview on the watch itself. Screenshots are taken by pressing the Digital Crown and the side button at the same time, a combination that can be triggered accidentally.
On the iPhone, users see either a full-screen preview or a thumbnail preview when taking a screenshot, depending on settings; both approaches allow saving, sharing, or deleting a screenshot with a few taps. By contrast, Apple Watch screenshots are disabled by default but can be enabled in the Settings app on the watch or in the Apple Watch app on iPhone.
An option to preview and then save or delete screenshots on the watch would give users more granular control than the current simple on/off toggle. The feature remains hidden behind a flag in the current watchOS 27.2 code and may be introduced in a future beta if Apple enables it.
