I Was Fed Up with Screenshot Filenames

Mastering the art of screenshot organization with GPT and iOS Shortcuts

4 min readSep 4, 2023

The Problem: ‘IMG_1234.png’ syndrome

Our iPhones and Macs save every screenshot with a generic, meaningless name. These filenames do nothing to help us identify the content. How many times have you had to preview every screenshot just to find the one you need? That’s not just annoying — it’s a waste of time.

Say farewell to ‘IMG_1234.PNG’ and hello to clarity.

That’s why I decided to create an Apple Shortcut that leverages ChatGPT to analyze text within screenshots and generate relevant titles. No more ‘IMG_1234.PNG.’ Just clear, descriptive filenames that actually make sense.

What This Shortcut Does

→ Crystal-Clear Filenames
No more playing detective with your screenshots. This Shortcut uses ChatGPT to interpret the text within the screenshot and assign it an intuitive title.
→ One Folder to Rule Them All
Choose a dedicated folder for your iPhone and Mac screenshots. If you’re an iCloud Drive user, you can synchronize this folder across devices. Now all your screenshots, irrespective of their origin, reside in a single location.
→ Share sheet integration
Sharing an image will automatically rename and move it to your selected screenshot folder.
→ Set it and forget it
This shortcut can be automated to run daily, maintaining an organized screenshot library without requiring your constant attention. It even prevents duplicates by appending unique identifiers to filenames. the original filename.

A Step-By-Step guide to streamline your screenshot management:

iOS Shortcuts can be intimidating, so here’s a simplified guide to get your started.

For iOS enthusiasts:

Download the ChatGPT App: It’s essential for running the shortcut.
Get the Shortcut: Use this link to download and install.
Select a Folder: You’ll be prompted to pick a folder for your renamed screenshots. That way you can delete camera roll screenshots and help keep your camera roll uncluttered. Note that this shortcut doesn’t delete by itself.
Choose the options you need: For example, you can save your screenshots in Apple Notes. If you hit a limit error, go to Settings → Shortcuts → Advanced → Allow Sharing Large Amounts of Data. If you want to delete camera roll without confirmation, you can also enable that in Advanced. Note that duplication prevention happens through files, so if you turn on file deletion, it’s important to turn on camera roll deletion.
Run the Shortcut: Tap the shortcut to run it and begin the renaming process. If you get a ChatGPT error, just open the ChatGPT app, say ‘hey’, then run shortcut again and turn on the switch for starting a new conversation.
Voila! Your intelligently renamed screenshots await in your chosen folder. Below you can automate this shortcut so you don’t have to run it manually.

For MacOS loyalists:

While this shortcut is iPhone-specific due to the ChatGPT app, Mac users can still benefit.

Initial Setup: Start by following the steps in the iOS section.
Choose a Screenshot folder: Press Command + Shift + 5 to access “Options” for setting a screenshot folder. By default it’s set to Desktop. Set it to the same folder that you chose in iOS setup.
Sync, Baby, Sync: take screenshots, let it sync
Run the Shortcut on iPhone: Your folder will automatically update with renamed files.
Smile: You just made your life a bit simpler.

Keep the shortcut updated

Unlike apps, Shortcuts are not automatically updated. As I make improvements to the shortcut, and make it the best screenshot organizer, I can let you know here:

→ Get shortcut improvements

Let the shortcut run on its own

The best shortcuts work autonomously. You don’t have to think of triggering them. Setting up a daily automation ensures you’ll never forget to keep your screenshots organized.

Navigate to Shortcuts app → Automations → Create Personal Automation → Time of Day. Select the time, add Run Shortcut, set it to this shortcut, and turn off Ask Before Running. You’re all set!

Final thoughts

In the grand scheme of things, having disorganized screenshots might seem trivial. But it’s the small optimizations that often bring us the greatest joy and free up mental space for bigger challenges. With GPT Action and iOS Shortcuts, you’re one step closer to conquering your digital clutter.

Life’s too short for disorganized screenshots. With this shortcut and a little help from ChatGPT, you’re not just solving a minor inconvenience — you’re reclaiming your time.

That’s it. Happy decluttering, folks! 🎉

If this guide helped you in any way, consider giving it a clap or sharing it. Feel free to leave questions or comments, and I’ll get back to you.