iOS 26 Preview App: How to Use It for PDFs & Images (iPhone & iPad) (2026)

iOS 26 brings a new 'Preview' app to the iPhone, and here's how I'm utilizing it. The app expands the capabilities of its Mac counterpart, offering a dedicated hub for PDF and image viewing, editing, and marking up. It's now available on both iPhone and iPad, thanks to iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Apple describes it as a versatile tool, allowing users to create quick sketches, view, edit, and annotate PDFs and images using Apple Pencil or touch. I've been using Preview since the initial iOS and iPadOS 26 betas, and it has significantly improved my document management experience. Before iOS 26, PDFs and images saved in the Files app would open within the same app, but now, the Preview app provides a more efficient way to manage multiple documents. One of its advantages is the 'Quick Look' function in the Files app, which allows for easy viewing of PDFs without leaving the Files interface. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with multiple PDFs, as it enables quick switching between documents via the app switcher, enhancing multitasking efficiency. I've also found Preview on the iPad to be highly beneficial, especially with the new iPadOS 26 windowing system. I've set up unique window configurations for Preview and Files, allowing me to view PDFs in Preview while navigating my Files database simultaneously. This setup streamlines the process of accessing different documents. Preview offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly set of tools for editing PDFs, closely resembling the capabilities of the Mac's Preview app. I've been utilizing its features to add and remove pages, sign documents with Markup, and fill out PDFs. The ability to use Preview and Files together seamlessly, coupled with an enhanced toolset, has made Preview an invaluable addition to both iPhone and iPad users. Have you tried the Preview app in iOS 26? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments. For essential iPhone accessories, consider the following: AirPods Pro 3, 10-year AirTag battery case, MagSafe Car Mount, Apple's new AirTag 2, and a 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter. FTC disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions from these links.

iOS 26 Preview App: How to Use It for PDFs & Images (iPhone & iPad) (2026)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 6585

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.