During the WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple presented iPadOS 26, the forthcoming software update for iPad users. Among the new features, including the Liquid Glass design and enhanced multitasking options, the company introduced a completely new Preview app, which is also accessible for Mac.
At first glance, this app may seem unnecessary alongside the Files app, but Apple opted to provide a more user-friendly experience for editing documents. More intriguingly, the company claims that the app is ideal for use with the iPad and Apple Pencil, prompting us to give it a test run.
Indeed, the iPad is one of the finest tools for productivity, enabling users to highlight information in a file, sign documents, create quick sketches, or leave handwritten notes, and effortlessly send your work to others. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Preview app in iPadOS 26 and how to maximize its capabilities.
How the iPadOS 26 Preview app enhances the iPad experience
Apple describes the Preview app as a “specialized app for creating quick sketches and for viewing, editing, and annotating PDFs and images with Apple Pencil or touch. Users can access all their PDFs and images stored in the Files app directly from Preview, create a blank page, use the Apple Pencil to draw and write on it, and utilize AutoFill for quickly completing PDF forms.”
That being said, when you launch the Preview app for the first time (which also occurs when tapping on a PDF), Apple will present an option to begin sketching, recommend areas of the document where you may want to write or modify, and enable you to copy or crop sections of the document and rotate them to match your desired style or format.
The app also features a polished menu bar inspired by the Liquid Glass design, and the sidebar may prove helpful for locating documents in various locations, such as iCloud Drive or on your device. Users are also able to create a new document from scratch, scan papers using the camera, and immediately commence editing, signing, or any other required tasks.
Productivity is paramount, and combined with the new windowing features in iPadOS 26, the Preview app brings your iPad closer to the potential of replacing (or at least coexisting with) your work laptop.
