Beyond the dazzling redesign of iOS 26 lies a secret weapon: Preview. This isn’t just another app; it’s your all-in-one pocket studio, plucked straight from the Mac and dropped onto your iPhone. Forget app-hopping chaos! Preview lets you slice, dice, and perfect PDFs and images in a snap. Ready to unlock its hidden power? Prepare to discover how this unassuming utility can transform your iPhone workflow from frantic to fluid.
Good to know : give your iPhone lock screen a new look with these new iOS 26 additions.
The Preview App is now on Your iPhone
Once you update your iPhone to iOS 26, you should notice a new app called Preview on your home screen.
Tip : if, for some reason, it’s not there, try searching for it using the Spotlight search bar.
For years, macOS users have enjoyed the hidden gem that is Preview. Now, this powerhouse is finally unleashed on iPhone! Prepare to be amazed by its versatile capabilities – effortlessly tweak images, manipulate PDFs, export files in a snap, and even sign documents with a tap. It’s the same beloved tool, reimagined for your pocket.
Apple’s Files app already packed a punch with annotation, scanning, and signature tools. But Preview is a focused editing powerhouse for PDFs and images, liberating you from file management clutter. Think of it as another step in Apple’s quest to seamlessly blend the Mac, iPhone, and iPad experiences.
Forget hunting for an app! iPhone’s Files app now gracefully defaults to Preview for your images and PDFs. Think of it as instant access to your visual world – no more fumbling. Docs still need their dedicated digs, though.
What You Can Do with the Preview App on iPhone
Think of the Files app as Grand Central Station for your digital life. It gathers PDFs, documents, and downloads from your iPhone’s hidden corners, iCloud Drive, and even other cloud services. While it doesn’t directly display photos from your personal gallery, you can easily bring those cherished memories into the fold with a quick import.
To do so, open an image in the Photos app and tap theSharebutton in the lower left corner.
Swipe up with your finger to bring up the entire menu of options and selectSave to Files.
Unleash your photos: Preview now opens directly from Files! Or, dive straight into Preview and browse your entire photo library in one stunning view.
Unleash your inner artist! Upload any image or PDF and dive into a world of editing possibilities. Prepare to be amazed – the options here blow Files completely out of the water.
Tip : learn how to do a reverse image search on your iPhone or iPad.
Crop images
Unleash your inner artist! Cropping images in Preview is now a breeze with these three simple steps. First, summon the cropping tool by tapping the rectangle icon nestled at the bottom of your screen. Then, with a flick of your finger, carve out the perfect frame for your visual masterpiece.
Long-press the selection and selectCrop.
Note that the Crop option is also available for PDFs.
Remove background
Want to magically banish image backgrounds using Preview? It’s easier than you think! Just conjure up your picture in Preview, tap those three mystical dots in the top right corner, andpoof– selectRemove background. Watch the world behind your subject disappear!
Resize and rotate images
Want to tweak your image even further? Tap those three little dots in the top right corner! A world of options unfolds – spin it left or right, flip it like a pancake, and create a whole new perspective.
To resize the image, select theAdjust Sizeoption.
Add Text Boxes
Files app offers the option to sign PDFs, but Preview lets you type directly onto your document.
Press the second icon again at the bottom. Then tap the blue+button in the lower right.
Ditch the dull digital notes! Unleash your inner artist and infuse your text with personality. Just jot down your thoughts, then with a tap and a touch, transform those typed words into uniquely stylish handwriting. Ready to add a personal flourish? Select, tap the magic three dots, and watch the transformation!
SelectConvert to Handwritingfrom the options.
The text will appear in the pen you’ve selected when annotating.
Export files & reduce file size
Want to save your Preview file as something other than its original format? It’s a snap. Just reveal the hidden export options: Open your file, then zero in on the filename at the top – tap that tiny, unassuming arrow beside it, and prepare to be amazed by the format choices that appear.
SelectExportfrom the drop-down menu.
You can opt to save in HEIC, JPEG, PDF, PNG or TIFF format.
Want to shrink that JPEG? Or maybe blow it up a bit? TheSizeslider is your magic wand. And for those who like to tinker, dive deeper and tweak the resolution – get it just right.
Need to shrink that file? Just give it a long press in Preview, then tap “Quick Actions” for the “Optimize File Size” option. Boom, done.
Create new documents from scratch
Forget blank pages! Preview’s “New Document” is your digital scrapbook springboard. Think beyond pristine reports; it’s a launchpad for annotated adventures. While not a word processor, it’s perfect for crafting visual narratives, layering markups, and turning PDFs into personalized collages. Unleash your inner artist, one annotated page at a time.
On the empty page, select the pen tip icon at the bottom of the display.
Ready to unleash your inner artist? Grab your pen tool and dive into a world of color! Choose your hue, then simply tap the blue pen icon in the top right to stow away your brush and return to the digital canvas.
Unleash your inner artist! The+button at the bottom menu is your gateway to a hidden palette of possibilities, just waiting to be discovered.
Imagine lifting words directly from a webpage and, with a tap in Preview, watching them transform. I pasted the copied text, then, channeling a specific stylistic whim, transmuted it into handwritten script. A digital flourish followed – a sticker here, a shape there – breathing unexpected life into the once-sterile text.
iPhone Preview: Still a work in progress, but brimming with potential. While you can’t yet merge documents or juggle PDF pages like you do on your Mac, don’t despair! These features might just be around the corner. Imagine a future where your iPhone becomes a complete file management powerhouse – that’s the trajectory Preview is on.
Frustrated that Preview doesn’t let you flip between files like a ninja in the Files app? Hold up! That’s not the whole story. While it’s notexactlythe same, hitting that trustyBackbutton will sling you right back to your Files view from an open document. Boom. Instant access to your digital stash.
“The Files app swings back into action, ready to display your selected file. To juggle multiple items effortlessly, just tap the menu button perched in the top right corner. Think of it as your command center for file-switching supremacy!”
Preview isn’t perfect, sure, but its all-in-one editing power streamlines my workflow like nothing else.
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