iOS 26 Adds Visual Intelligence to Screenshots


With iOS 26, Apple is expanding the role of artificial intelligence across the system. One of the most practical additions arrives quietly through screenshots. Thanks to new visual intelligence features, your iPhone can now recognize plain text URLs inside a screenshot and instantly turn them into tappable links.

It may sound simple, but it solves a frustration many users experience daily.

The Problem With Plain Text URLs

If you spend time on platforms like Instagram, you have likely run into this issue. Because hyperlinks are not always supported in captions or comments, creators often share links in one of two ways:

  • “Link in profile”

  • A full URL written in plain text

When it is plain text, there is no direct way to tap and open it. Copying and pasting becomes awkward, especially when the text is embedded inside an image or long caption.

This inconvenience might seem small, but over time it adds friction to everyday browsing.

How iOS 26 Solves It

With visual intelligence enabled, iOS 26 analyzes your screenshot using AI. If it detects a URL within the captured image, it generates a clickable link at the bottom of the screen.

The process is seamless:

  1. Take a screenshot.

  2. Open the full screen preview.

  3. Tap the generated hyperlink that appears below.

Instead of manually retyping or copying text, the system extracts and activates the link for you.

It transforms static content into something interactive with a single tap.

Device Compatibility Matters

This feature relies on Apple’s newer AI framework, which means it is limited to compatible models. You will need a supported device such as an iPhone 17, iPhone 16, or iPhone 15 Pro model.

By default, screenshots in iOS 26 open directly in the full screen editor where the AI generated link appears. However, if you have chosen the smaller thumbnail style introduced in earlier versions, you must tap the thumbnail first to access the full screen interface and see the tappable link.

Smarter Screenshots, Smarter Sharing

iOS 26 turns screenshots into more than static images. They now capture usable information that often needs to be moved or shared.

If you plan to move to iOS from Android, Smart Transfer can help bring your screenshots, photos, contacts, and other data with you. Smart Transfer is a third party file sharing app that works over WiFi, making it easy to transfer content between devices. It also helps you share apps related files and important screenshots without relying entirely on cloud backups.

As screenshots grow smarter, having a simple way to move and share them keeps your information accessible across devices.

A Small Feature With Big Impact

Turning plain text URLs into tappable links may not be the headline feature of iOS 26, but it is one of those thoughtful updates that improves everyday usability.

Instead of forcing users to work around platform limitations, Apple is using visual intelligence to bridge the gap. It reflects a shift toward making the iPhone more context aware and responsive to real world scenarios.

Sometimes the most powerful updates are not the flashiest ones. They are the ones that quietly remove friction from your daily routine.


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