**Apple’s iOS 26 Update: The Arrival of Preview and the Future of Mobile Document Management**
Apple has officially unveiled iOS 26, bringing with it a host of new features and refinements. Among all the changes, one stands out for its potential to change the way iPhone users handle documents: the introduction of the Preview app to iOS. Long a staple of the Mac, Preview now makes its debut on Apple’s mobile devices, aiming to centralize and simplify everyday tasks like scanning, editing, annotating, and signing documents. Technology journalist Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson recently discussed this update on Fox & Friends First, highlighting how this new tool fills a longstanding gap for iPhone users and brings Apple’s mobile devices more in line with their desktop counterparts.
**Preview Comes to iPhone: What It Means for Users**
For years, Mac users have enjoyed the flexibility and convenience of Preview, an app that makes quick work of editing PDFs, making annotations, and managing scanned documents. Until now, iPhone owners have had to rely on a patchwork of other Apple apps—like Files, Markup, and Notes—or turn to third-party solutions to handle these tasks. The arrival of Preview on iOS 26 changes this, streamlining document management into a single, user-friendly experience.
After updating to iOS 26, users will notice a new icon on their home screen that may look familiar to longtime Mac users: Preview. This app brings together the best features from the Files app (for managing documents), Markup tools (for editing and annotating), and the camera’s document scanner (for digitizing physical documents). The result is a unified hub for all your document needs, designed to save users time and reduce the need to jump between multiple apps.
**Hands-On with Preview: Key Features and Workflow**
Opening Preview on an iPhone presents a clean, intuitive interface. Users are greeted with options such as “New Document” or “Scan Document,” making it easy to start a new project or digitize a paper document in seconds. At the bottom of the screen, a small Files section allows users to browse and manage their stored content, much like the familiar layout found in the Files app.
One of the most notable aspects of Preview is how closely its design and functionality mirror the editing tools Apple users already know—like the screenshot editor or Markup. This means there is little to no learning curve for most people. For those who need more advanced features, a three-dot menu opens up options such as background removal, which previously required downloading specialized apps.
When working with PDFs, Preview shines. It automatically detects fillable text boxes, allowing users to enter information directly into forms. Need to sign a document? Preview offers a simple way to add your signature on the go, making it perfect for handling agreements, contracts, or permission slips without printing anything out.
**Document Scanning Gets a Boost**
Perhaps the most significant upgrade in Preview is its built-in document scanner. While Apple’s Notes and Files apps have offered scanning features in the past, Preview improves on speed and accuracy. Whether you’re scanning receipts, contracts, or handwritten notes, the app captures images crisply and processes them quickly. Once scanned, users can save, rename, or share their digitized documents directly from the Preview app—eliminating unnecessary steps and making the workflow seamless.
To find your scanned and edited documents later, simply open the Files app and look under the Preview section. From there, you can further edit, organize, or share your files as needed. This centralization makes it much easier to keep track of important paperwork, especially for users who handle a lot of documents on their phone.
**How Does Preview Compare to Android and Windows Tools?**
While Apple’s new Preview app is a significant step forward for iPhone users, it’s worth noting that similar features have long been available on Android and Windows devices. Each platform has its own approach to document management, with a range of built-in options and third-party alternatives.
On Android devices running version 6.0 or later, Google Drive includes a powerful document scanner. Recent updates to Google Drive have made its scanning tool even more competitive, introducing sharper previews, smarter cropping and rotation, improved shadow removal, and color filters. These enhancements make scanned documents look more professional and are particularly useful for those who need to share clean, legible copies of paperwork. The latest updates also introduce a thumbnail carousel, which