We mainly know the Preview app from the Mac, but on iPhone and iPad there is a similar app that allows you to view and edit files quickly and easily. Whether you want to sign a PDF, annotate a photo, or add text to an image, the Preview app for iOS and iPadOS can do it all without external apps.
Ideal for those who need to update documents or annotate scans and images on the go. This way you can work more productively, directly from your iPhone or iPad.
Preview for iPhone and iPad
Since iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, you can now use the Preview app as a separate app on your iPhone and iPad. It replaces the limited preview features in the Files app and provides a better way to open, view, and professionally edit PDFs, images (such as JPG, PNG, and TIFF), EPUBs, and HTML files.
With its simple design and an uncluttered home screen for recent files, shared folders, and a search function, you can quickly work with useful tools like text highlighting, signatures, cropping, rotating, adding annotations, and filling out forms. All of this is optimized for use with the Apple Pencil and works well with multiple windows on the iPad.
Edit files in Preview
After opening a file the toolbar active, if this is not the case you can tap the pen symbol, after which you can immediately make marks. You also have the option to cutout (dashed line symbol) or files rotate. The info button allows you to view the EXIF ​​information of an image or document.
The toolbar dynamically adapts to the type of file open; so you may see a different toolbar in certain situations.
Customize button bar
On the iPad it is also possible to customize this toolbar to your own preference and add shortcuts for frequently used actions. To do this, swipe down from the top of the screen to view the menu bar to open. Tap ‘Display‘ and choose ‘Customize button bar‘.
Resize, flip and more
After you open a document in the preview app, it is possible to change its size, format and appearance. This way you can easily mirror or rotate an image. In some cases you can even remove the background. To do this, tap the three dots to open more options and choose the item you want.
Edit PDF files in Preview
From Preview it is now possible to edit PDF files directly from your iPhone or iPad. Not only can you fill out forms thanks to the recognition of input fields, you can also adjust the documents in detail.
This way you can rearrange, add, delete and rotate pages within a PDF document. Merging multiple PDFs is also possible, so you can easily combine multiple documents into one file.
Other useful tools
- Instantly scan or create new files (from home page)
- Preview automatically detects fillable form fields in PDFs
- Autofill (AutoFill) allows you to fill out forms quickly
- Create signatures with your finger or Apple Pencil and save them safely (pen symbol â–¸ plus button â–¸ add signature)
- Placing a digital signature directly in forms is seamlessly integrated (pen symbol â–¸ plus button â–¸ add signature)
- Apple Pencil support on iPad
- Quickly create new blank drawing sheets or images for instant sketching with Apple Pencil.
- Full integration with the Files app
- Remove background from images (three dots â–¸ remove background)