Reverting to the Original Preview Layout in iOS 26

The latest iPadOS 26 update is a game-changer, bringing the mobile experience closer to macOS with a windowed multitasking system and enhanced file management tools. Additionally, the Mac’s Preview app is now available on the iPad and iPhone with iOS 26.

While Preview offers a richer set of markup and editing tools, including Apple Pencil support, some iPhone users may find it unnecessary, as the built-in markup tools in iOS work just as effectively. One downside of Preview on the iPhone is that it redirects users to the app when opening PDFs and images, disrupting the seamless browsing experience in the Files app.

Fortunately, there are ways to revert to the previous behavior. Users can still access Quick Look from the Files app menu to view files directly without opening them in Preview. Alternatively, deleting the Preview app will prompt the Files app to utilize its built-in Quick Look feature for PDFs and images.

For those who prefer to keep Preview for other functionalities, there is an easy workaround. By selecting “Preview with Quick Look” from the “Open With” menu in the Files app, users can toggle between opening files in Quick Look or Preview. This setting applies to all files of the same type and can be easily changed by repeating the steps.

In Quick Look, users have the option to open the file in Preview for more advanced editing and markup. iOS 26 offers flexibility in choosing between Preview and Quick Look, allowing users to customize their file viewing experience according to their preferences.

Overall, while Apple’s efforts to unify platforms may introduce challenges, iOS 26 grants users the freedom to decide how they interact with their files, whether through quick previews or detailed editing in Preview.