Preview App in iOS 26: Edit PDFs and Images on iPhone and iPad

Apple just brought one of its most underrated yet powerful Mac apps to your iPhone and iPad—Preview. If you’ve used a Mac before, you probably know how effortlessly Preview handles PDFs, images, and documents—without needing bulky apps like Adobe Acrobat or Photoshop.

Now, with the release of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, Preview finally arrives on iPhone and iPad. It’s a quiet but meaningful upgrade that nudges your iPad closer to becoming a true computer. Let’s explore what Preview is, how it works on iPhone and iPad, and what’s different compared to the Mac version.

What Is the Preview App?

Preview is Apple’s built-in tool on Mac that lets you view and edit PDFs and images. Whether you want to fill out a form, annotate a contract, resize an image, or convert file types like JPG to PNG, it gets the job done quickly and efficiently.

Imagine receiving a college PDF form—you can now fill it out, sign it digitally, and send it back without printing or scanning. Got a photo that’s too large to upload? Just crop and resize it in Preview. For tasks like these, Preview eliminates the need for third-party apps.

And now, you can do all of this right on your iPhone and iPad with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.

What You Can Do Using the Preview App on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26

On Mac, Preview opens like a Finder window with file previews. On iPhone and iPad, it feels like a full-fledged app, displaying your files in a gallery view with thumbnail previews.

Once you open a PDF or image, a minimalist interface appears with floating action buttons. Here’s everything you can do:

• View PDFs and Images: Open files stored on your iPhone, iPad, or iCloud without extra apps.
• Markup Tools: Highlight text, draw with your finger or Apple Pencil, add shapes, or insert text boxes. Using Apple Pencil feels natural, like scribbling on paper.
• Add Signature: Insert your saved or drawn signature anywhere in PDFs or images.
• Highlight Text: Mark important lines in PDFs for quick reference.
• Autofill Forms: Fill PDF forms easily. Tap ‘+’ to add signatures or text boxes instantly.
• Selection Tool: Select parts of your document or entire pages for editing.
• Document Info: Tap the ‘i’ button to see file details like size, date modified, and page dimensions.
• Rotate Files: Rotate pages or images directly from the three-dot menu.
• Remove Background: Remove image backgrounds or use ‘Go To Page’ for quick navigation in large PDFs.
• Combine PDFs: Merge multiple PDFs by dragging pages into another file.
• Rearrange or Delete Pages: Drag pages up or down to reorder, or delete pages you don’t need.
• Crop and Resize Images: Crop unwanted parts or resize images to reduce file size.
• Create and Scan: From Browse, create new images, make documents from clipboard, or scan physical documents directly in Preview.

How Preview on iPhone and iPad Differs from Mac

The iOS and iPadOS versions of Preview carry over most essential tools, including markup, PDF rearrangement, and even background removal. However, there are a few limitations:

What’s Missing Compared to Mac:

• No Color Adjustments: You can’t tweak brightness, contrast, or saturation.
• No PDF Locking: You can view password-protected PDFs, but can’t set passwords yourself.
• No Screenshot Capture: You can’t capture screenshots inside the app, but you can take one with the Power + Volume Up shortcut and then open it in Preview.

What’s New and Exclusive:

• Scan Feature: Use the iPhone or iPad camera to scan physical documents—something the Mac version lacks.
• Apple Pencil Support: On iPad, you can handwrite directly on PDFs and images using your Apple Pencil, providing a smoother experience than a mouse or trackpad. Not sure if your iPad supports it? Check out this Apple Pencil compatibility guide.

In short:

• Mac offers deeper image editing tools.
• iPad brings a natural writing experience with Apple Pencil.
• iPhone/iPad introduce scanning functionality.

Which Devices Support Preview on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26?

The Preview app comes pre-installed with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. If your iPhone or iPad supports these versions, you’ll get the app automatically after updating—no manual download needed.

Once updated, look for Preview on your Home Screen among other native apps.

Final Thoughts: Preview Is a Quiet Powerhouse in iOS 26

While Preview may not be the flashiest iOS 26 feature, it’s likely to become one of your most-used tools—especially for students, professionals, or anyone who deals with documents regularly.

It simplifies everyday tasks like signing PDFs, resizing images, filling forms, and combining files, without relying on extra apps or subscriptions. With its addition to iPhone and iPad, Apple is clearly pushing these devices toward true productivity powerhouses.

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• iOS 26 Wallet App: Everything New You Need to Know
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• How to Use Live Activities on iPad and Mac
• How to Use Local Capture on iPad