TL;DR
iOS 26 refreshes the screenshot workflow with a new interface that surfaces three Apple Intelligence functions: creating calendar events from screenshots, image-based web search, and a ChatGPT query option. The author of the source says the calendar-creation feature is especially handy and reliable in their experience.
What happened
With the iOS 26 redesign, screenshots received a substantial visual overhaul and a new interface that exposes multiple Apple Intelligence capabilities. Among these, the ability to generate calendar events directly from a screenshot stood out to the author. After using the beta for roughly six months, the writer reports shifting toward using Calendar more often because capturing details and turning them into events is now as simple as taking a screenshot and tapping an "add to calendar" button that appears at the bottom of the screenshot UI. The author says the feature extracted relevant date, time and event details accurately across different sources — including Instagram stories, emails and websites — and proved particularly useful while managing many appointments at events like CES. Two other screenshot-powered features are an image search that finds web results and an option to ask ChatGPT about the screenshot.
Why it matters
- Reduces friction for turning visual information into scheduled events, potentially saving time.
- May encourage users who avoid manual calendar entry to rely more on Calendar for organizing plans.
- Works across social posts, emails and websites, which are common places people find event details.
Key facts
- iOS 26 introduced a redesigned screenshot interface that bundles new Apple Intelligence features.
- Three screenshot features highlighted: create calendar events, image-based web search, and ask ChatGPT about a screenshot.
- The author has been using the iOS 26 beta for about six months.
- Creating a calendar event requires taking a screenshot and tapping an 'add to calendar' button in the screenshot UI.
- The author reports the calendar extraction worked reliably with Instagram stories, emails and websites.
- The feature proved useful for the author during a busy event (CES) when managing many appointments.
- The report comes from an opinion piece by Michael Burkhardt at 9to5Mac.
What to watch next
- not confirmed in the source: Whether Apple will extend the screenshot calendar feature to third-party calendar apps or services.
- not confirmed in the source: How consistently the event-extraction performs across a broader, more diverse set of screenshots and languages.
- not confirmed in the source: If and how the feature will handle ambiguous or incomplete event details found in screenshots.
Quick glossary
- Apple Intelligence: Apple's suite of on-device and cloud-assisted AI features that enhance iOS interactions, such as image understanding and natural language tools.
- Screenshot: A captured image of a device's screen used to save or share visible content.
- Image search: A function that analyzes an image to find related information or matching results on the web.
- Calendar event: A scheduled entry in a digital calendar that includes details such as title, date, time and location.
- ChatGPT: A conversational AI model that can answer questions, summarize content and assist with tasks based on provided text or images.
Reader FAQ
What does the new screenshot calendar feature do?
It extracts relevant details from a screenshot and offers an option to create a calendar event from that information.
How do you create an event from a screenshot in iOS 26?
According to the source, you take a screenshot and tap the 'add to calendar' button that appears in the screenshot interface.
Does the feature work with social posts and emails?
The author reports that it successfully pulled details from Instagram stories, emails and websites in their tests.
Is the feature available to all iPhone users now?
not confirmed in the source
Rumor Replay: iPhone Fold’s crease-free display, and more Ryan Christoffel Jan 8 2026 IOS OPINION IOS 26 This new Apple Intelligence feature in iOS 26 might be one of my…
Sources
- This new Apple Intelligence feature in iOS 26 might be one of my all-time favorites
- iOS 26 Lets You Add Calendar Events from a Screenshot
- Turn a Screenshot into a Calendar Event in iOS 26
- Apple Unveils New AI Feature in iOS 26 That Instantly …
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