Apple launches iOS 26 with new Preview app for editing iPhone documents

Apple has officially launched iOS 26, and with it comes a new look and a notable new feature: the Preview app. If you update your iPhone and notice a new icon that looks like it belongs on a Mac, you’re not imagining things. Preview has finally arrived on iOS, and it’s more useful than you think. Many iPhone users have long wanted an easier way to edit, annotate, and scan documents without relying on third-party tools. Now, Apple’s built-in Preview app bridges that gap, bringing together features from the Files app, markup tools, and in-camera document scanner into one streamlined experience.

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report
Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter.

What the Apple Preview app can do

Just like the version on Mac, the Preview app on iPhone lets you handle basic image edits and PDF changes with ease. You can:

• Open and view PDF files or images directly from the Files app.
• Annotate, draw, and highlight content using familiar markup tools.
• Add text boxes or signatures to forms.
• Crop, resize or rotate images.
• Scan documents directly from your camera.

When you open the app, you will see simple options like New document or Scan the document. Click on the small files section at the bottom to browse the content stored on your phone. The interface looks like Apple’s previous screenshot editor, so it’s instantly familiar. You can click on Three-point list For advanced tools like background removal, saving you having to download additional editing apps. If you open a PDF file, Preview automatically detects fillable text boxes and lets you add your signature, making it ideal for signing forms or agreements on the go.

10 iOS 26 Tricks That Will Help You Get More Out of Your iPhone

How to scan a document using the Preview app

The scanning tool included in Preview is one of its best upgrades. It’s fast, accurate and perfect for whatever receipts, contracts or notes you want Store securely. If you already use Notes or Files to scan documents, you’ll find previewing much faster. It centralizes everything, without switching between multiple applications. Here’s how to do it:

• Open Preview the application.
• handle Scan documents From the home screen or the plus (+) icon if you’re already viewing another file.
• Point your iPhone camera On the page you want to scan and hold it steady.
• I’ll preview Automatically detect edges and take photo.
• After Preview captures the document, it shows File Thumbnail.
• If the edges aren’t right or the lighting is poor, tap Recapture.
• If you are satisfied, press Blue check mark At the top right of the screen. This creates a digital document.

How to save or export your document

After scanning your pages, you can easily save, rename, or share your document directly from the Preview app using these steps.

Save to files

• Click on Share button (box with arrow) and choose Save to files. Select where you want to store it, e.g iCloud Drive > Documents or On my iPhone > Scansthen press SaveThe scan is saved as a file PDF A file that you can access at any time.

Rename the document

• Click on the title at the top of the screen, and type a new name, such as: Receipt-October 2025.pdfand click finished.

Share the document

• From the same share menu, you can send a PDF file via Airdrop, Messages or mail.

Where to find saved scans later

• Go to Files application
• handle browse
• Then go to On my iPhone
• Click Preview
• Click Scanned (Or any folder you specified). You can open, highlight, or share a PDF file directly from there.

How to save any file as PDF

Similar tools for Android and Windows

If you’re using Android or Windows, you can do many of the same things with the tools built into those platforms.

How to Scan and Edit Documents on Android

If you’re using an Android phone running Android 6.0 or later, the Google Drive app includes a built-in document scanner supported by Google Play Services. Starting in September 2025, Google is rolling out an upgraded scanning experience with more accurate previews, smarter cropping and rotation, improved shadow removal, and color filters that make scans look more professional. The update also adds smoother page edits and a widget to easily rearrange or delete pages before saving.

• Open Google Drive application on your Android device and make sure to update it through the Google Play Store to get the latest features.
• Click on “+” or Camera iconthen select to survey From the pop-up menu. Some phones may offer a dedicated camera button for this purpose.
• Your contract The phone is fixed So that the entire page is visible. Drive automatically detects edges and captures the document.
• Use the built-in cropped, rotation and Color filter Tools to fine-tune your scanning. You can also remove shadows or recapture the page if necessary.
• handle Add a page To create a multi-page PDF file. If your device supports the new AI scanner, Drive may detect and capture pages automatically.
• Review your pages using Thumbnail carousel Below to rearrange or delete any before saving.
• handle Saveenter the file name, choose the Drive folder and select whether to save as a file PDF or JPG.
• Open the file saved in Drive to Annotate or highlight Text using markup tools such as drawing or underlining.
• Share or export Final document by sending a Drive link, attaching it to an email, or downloading it to another app.

Even with Trump’s tariff blessing, Apple raises iPhone prices

How to comment and sign PDF files on Windows

Microsoft Edge includes a built-in PDF reader that supports inking, highlighting, and adding comments or text notes. However, Edge is not a full-fledged PDF editor for retyping text or rearranging pages. You can still draw or sign directly on the PDF using the Draw/Pen tool, and then save your edits. Some recent versions of Edge have limited support for annotations, so features may vary. Because of these limitations, many Windows users rely on third-party PDF editors for full editing control, such as adding text, rearranging pages, or performing optical character recognition. The built-in snipping tool remains a quick way to capture and mark up screenshots or documents before saving or sharing them. These steps work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 using the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser.

The exact layout of the toolbar may vary depending on the version you are using.

• Open Cutting tool To take a screenshot or document.
• Choose capture type: Region, free form, Full screenor window.
• Save your capture as PNG or JPGOr copy it to your clipboard to quickly paste it.
• To edit a PDF instead, open the file directly Microsoft Edge.
• Right click on the PDF file and select Open with → Microsoft EdgeOr drag the file to the Edge window.
• use Pen/drawing A tool for writing, drawing or signing directly on a PDF file.
• Highlight text by selecting and selecting it Highlight From the pop-up menu.
• Add notes or comments using Add a comment/text note.
• use He paints tool again to sign your name, then save your edits.
• Click Save or Save as Icon (floppy disk icon) to store changes.
• If annotations do not appear after saving, choose Print → Save as PDF To be included permanently.

Best alternative PDF tools for Windows users

If Microsoft Edge doesn’t meet your editing needs, consider these free or paid alternatives that work across different devices:

• PDF24 Creator: A highly rated free PDF editor designed specifically for Windows. It allows you to merge, compress, sign and convert PDF files without watermarks.
• Exornal++: A popular open source tool for Windows, Mac, and Linux Allows you to add annotations to PDF files using a pen or pencil.
• Foxit is a program for editing PDF files: A professional cross-platform editor with full-text editing, signature and OCR tools. It’s available to Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android through Foxit PDF Editor for mobile program.

These tools give you much more flexibility than Edge if you regularly edit, organize, or sign digital documents across devices.

Take my quiz: How secure is your online security?

Do you think your devices and data are really protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get personalized analysis of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my test here: Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Key takeaways for Kurt

Apple’s new Preview app in iOS 26 makes editing and scanning documents easier than ever. It brings together the familiar tools of Files, Markup, and Camera in one place, saving you time and steps. The experience feels seamless, especially if you often switch between your Mac and iPhone. For Android and Windows users, similar built-in tools already provide powerful alternatives. Upgraded scanning in Google Drive and PDF tools in Microsoft Edge make it easier to capture, annotate, and share files. These options prove that whether you use iPhone, Android, or Windows, document management has never been more convenient. Ultimately, the arrival of Preview on the iPhone represents another step toward a unified Apple ecosystem where only productivity tools work. If you want to be able to scan, sign, or edit a file in seconds, this update delivers.

Do you think Apple’s new Preview app will replace the Docs editor you use, or will you continue to use third-party tools? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report
Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter.

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.