The new Preview App on the iPhone can be used to view and work with image files. You can mark up images, draw on them, add text, crop and convert to other file types.
▶ You can also watch this video at YouTube.
▶
▶ Watch more videos about related subjects: iPhone (355 videos).
▶
▶ Watch more videos about related subjects: iPhone (355 videos).
Video Summary
In This Tutorial
Learn how to use the new Preview app on iPhone for viewing, marking up, cropping, and exporting images. You'll see how to add text, arrows, shapes, and other effects, and even create blank images from scratch.
How To Open an Image In Preview (00:39)
- Open Preview and browse files like in the Files app, including iCloud Drive and other cloud services
- Tap an image in Files to open in Preview, or tap and hold to select Open With
- From Photos, use Share > More > Preview to export an image into Preview for markup
1. View Image Metadata (02:25)
- Tap the “i” info button to see detailed metadata including camera info and GPS location
- Metadata will vary depending on how the image was created
2. Put Text On the Image (02:56)
- Enter Markup mode with the bottom-left button
- Tap the plus button > Text to add text anywhere on the image
- Adjust font, size, color, and position
3. Add Arrows (03:57)
- In Markup, tap plus > Shape > Arrow
- Drag blue dots to resize and rotate; change color, thickness, and arrowhead style
4. Add Circles, Rectangles and Other Shapes (04:38)
- Use plus > Shape to add circles, rectangles, and more
- Set fill to none and adjust border color and thickness for outlines
- Use pinch zoom or the selection tool to position shapes precisely
5. Add Stickers and Emoji Characters (05:32)
- Add stickers or emoji from the plus menu
- Resize, rotate, and move them anywhere on your image
6. Draw With Your Finger (05:58)
- Use pens or highlighters in Markup for freehand drawing
- Tap a pen again to adjust thickness and opacity
- Change color to draw in different styles
7. Undo Mistakes (06:25)
- Use the three-dot menu for Undo and Redo
- Tap once with three fingers for the floating Undo/Redo toolbar
8. Magnifier Loupe (06:50)
- Add a loupe to magnify a section of the image
- Adjust size and magnification; multiple loupes are allowed
9. Cropping the Image (07:12)
- Use the selection tool to choose an area and drag corners to crop
- Copy or crop to create a new image from the selection
10. Export and Convert (07:33)
- Tap the title menu > Export to save a new copy in a chosen format like JPEG or PNG
- Adjust quality and see estimated file size
Markup With Photos Instead of Preview (08:04)
- Photos has the same markup tools built in via Edit > Markup
- Changes are non-destructive and can be reverted anytime
Copy Subject Or Remove Background (08:55)
- In Photos, tap and hold a subject to copy it without the background
- In Preview, use More > Remove Background to isolate the subject
Start With a Blank Image (09:29)
- In Preview, choose New Document > Empty Image or New From Clipboard
- Add drawings, shapes, and text to create custom graphics from scratch
Summary
Preview on iPhone lets you view and mark up images with text, drawings, shapes, stickers, and loupes. You can crop, export, remove backgrounds, and even start with a blank image. Many of these tools are also built into the Photos app for quick edits.
Very interesting and well communicated. The thing I’m interested in, and will try on the iPhone now, is selecting the subject. Copying to the clipboard. Then softening or blurring the background. Finally pasting the subject back in so the subject “stands out.”
Thanks bunches
iOS 26.2 … I have this problem … in the Photos App … select Share … go to More … tapping Edit … Preview not a choice in Photos. Didn’t see anything pertinent in either Photos or Preview settings.
Paul: Are you viewing a single, normal photo? It won't appear for things like videos, RAW, etc, or multiple photos selected.
I’ve scanned some photos using the iOS Preview app, however I cannot figure out how to get them saved in the photos app on my iPhone. Any tips?
John: I assume you scanned them into jpeg image files? The Photos app doesn't handle PDFs. If they are jpegs, you just tap and hold, then Share (box with arrow icon), then Save Image.
Paul: It was after Share (Preview) is the icon, you don't have to click More. However, I did that also, and Preview was there too.
Hi there! I have an iPhone 17 Pro with the version number 26.2. However, I’m unable to browse through “images” in the Preview app. The app is stored in iCloud. I can open and share photos from the Photos app into Preview, but it seems like there was a feature that allowed browsing through photos directly from Preview.
Melody: Open Preview like I show at the start, and then browse to where you want. Watch closely what I do at the start of the video.
Gary: Melanie: It seems that I had never used Preview since upgrading to 26.2! Always have used it on MacOS. So, once I actually used Preview on iOS, it showed up on the More menu list of apps to share with. Thanks for the replies!