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Apple Brings Preview App to iPhone with iOS 26 Update

Luca Fischer
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Apple launches Preview app with iOS 26 update

Apple released iOS 26 on September 15 2025 with the new Preview app for editing documents and images.

  • Apple released iOS 26 on September 15 2025
  • Preview app now available on all iPhones
  • Edit PDFs and images without third party apps
  • Scan documents using iPhone camera into PDF format
  • Add signatures and fill forms on PDF files
  • Crop rotate resize and remove image backgrounds
  • Export files in multiple formats and share easily
  • App preinstalled and works with iPhone 11 onward

Apple released iOS 26 on September 15, 2025, introducing the Preview app to iPhone users worldwide. The new app provides tools for editing PDFs and images without requiring third-party software. Preview has been a standard feature on Mac computers for years and now brings similar capabilities to mobile devices.

What the Preview app does

The Preview app allows users to view, edit, and manage PDF documents and image files in one location [1]. The app automatically appears on the home screen after updating to iOS 26 [2]. Users can open the app to access functions including document scanning, PDF annotation, and image editing [3].

Core editing features available

Preview includes tools for cropping, rotating, and resizing images. Users can also remove backgrounds, draw on photos, and add text or signatures to PDF files [4]. The interface resembles the screenshot editor already present in iOS, making navigation familiar for existing iPhone users [5].

Document scanning and file management

The app includes a document scanning feature that uses the iPhone camera to digitize physical pages [6]. The system automatically detects page edges and corrects alignment during the scanning process. Users can export scanned documents in multiple formats and save them to the Files app or share them through other applications [7].

Preview supports PDF form filling, which lets users complete digital forms directly on their phone. The app also provides a signature tool for signing documents without printing them. Users can search within PDF files to locate specific text or sections quickly [8].

Compatibility and installation process

The iOS 26 update works with devices starting from the iPhone SE second generation and all models in the iPhone 11 series and later [9]. Apple released the update globally on September 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

The key capabilities of the Preview app include:

  • Scanning physical documents into PDF format
  • Adding digital signatures to documents
  • Filling out PDF forms electronically
  • Cropping and rotating images
  • Removing backgrounds from photos
  • Annotating PDFs with markup tools
  • Exporting files in different formats
  • Searching text within PDF documents

Preview consolidates editing functions that previously required multiple separate apps on iPhone. The app comes preinstalled with iOS 26 and serves as the default program for opening PDF and image files from the Files app [10]. Apple designed Preview to unify the experience across Mac, iPhone, and iPad platforms while maintaining a simplified mobile interface.

Luca Fischer

Luca Fischer

Senior Technology Journalist

United States – New York Tech

Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. He earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media. Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society. Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI. Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.

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Elena Voren

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Updates

Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Completely rewrote article structure using BLUF format with HTML tags
  2. Updated all facts to reflect October 8 through 12 2025 verified information
  3. Added 10 authoritative citation sources including Moneycontrol Hardwire News and Apple Support
  4. Simplified language to eighth grade readability level throughout article
  5. Inserted exactly one bulleted list with eight key Preview app capabilities
  6. Rewrote title to improve SEO and search visibility for iOS 26 Preview app
  7. Created new 20 word excerpt summarizing main article focus
  8. Developed complete TLDR section with headline summary and 8 key points
  9. Added three relevant FAQ entries with questions and comprehensive answers
  10. Updated News Information Box with In Progress workflow and trust score
— by Nodin Laramie
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Updated iOS 26 release date from unspecified to September 15 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time
  2. Corrected device compatibility to include iPhone SE second generation and iPhone 11 series and later
  3. Added specific scanning feature details including automatic edge detection and alignment correction
  4. Clarified that Preview is preinstalled with iOS 26 and appears automatically on home screen
  5. Updated article to reflect Preview as default app for opening PDFs and images from Files app
  6. Verified Preview app functionality matches Mac version with similar editing capabilities
  7. Corrected feature list to include PDF form filling and digital signature tools
  8. Updated information to reflect October 8 through 12 2025 timeframe

FAQ

What is the Preview app on iPhone?

Preview is a built-in tool for viewing, editing, and managing PDF documents and images on iPhone. The app includes features for scanning documents, adding signatures, annotating PDFs, and editing photos. It comes preinstalled with iOS 26 and works like the Mac version.

How do I access the Preview app on iOS 26?

The Preview app appears automatically on your iPhone home screen after installing iOS 26. You can also find it in the App Library under the Productivity and Finance group. Search for Preview using Spotlight if you cannot locate it on your home screen.

Which iPhone models support the Preview app?

The Preview app works on iPhone SE second generation and later. It also supports all devices in the iPhone 11 series and newer models. You must have iOS 26 installed to use the Preview app on your device.

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Table of Contents

What the Preview app doesCore editing features availableDocument scanning and file managementCompatibility and installation process