Learn how to stop images and PDF documents stored in the built-in Files app on your iPhone and iPad from opening in Apple’s new Preview app on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
On iOS 18 and older, tapping a photo or a PDF document in the Files app would open it right there. This behavior changes when you update your iPhone to iOS 26 (currently in beta). On iOS 26, tapping an image or a PDF in the Files app opens it in Apple’s new Preview app instead of the Files viewer.
This makes opening these items slower, and you can no longer swipe down to close the preview. Instead, you must manually switch back to the Files app. If you’d like to view these items without the back and forth, then this tip is for you.
How to stop iPhone Files app from opening images and PDF documents in iOS 26 Preview
To view an image or PDF in the Files app instead of Preview, touch and hold the item and select Quick Look in the menu. The item will open within the Files app.
You will need to do this for every image or PDF. There’s no permanent setting, but you can instead delete the new Preview app from your iPhone or iPad. Doing so will make any photos or PDFs always open in the Files app, like before.
Trust me, you won’t miss anything by deleting the new Preview app. Compared to Files, Preview has no extra features, sans two exceptions.
First, there’s a “New Image” button to create an image from scratch using the Markup tools. And second, you’ll also see a “New file from Clipboard” option to save a copied image as a file, which is something you can also do in the old Files app using the Paste command.
Don’t stress over deleting the app; you can always re-download Preview from the App Store if you change your mind.
Do more with the Files app
The Files app has a solid media viewer that lets you share items, annotate images and documents with Markup tools, edit PDFs, and more. On iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, you can also set any audio file in the Files app as your ringtone.
Some people use the Files app to manage their wallpapers. Speaking of which, one of the Lock Screen improvements in iOS 26 is automatic spatial wallpapers that move slightly when you tilt the device, creating a color 3D parallax effect.
What are your thoughts on the new Mac-like Preview app on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26? Do you think it makes sense on the iPhone and iPad? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment down below.
