iOS 26 adds two new built in apps

Apple's iOS 26 introduces two built in apps that expand how users play and work on iPhone

iOS 26 adds two built in apps Apple Games and Preview

Apple's iOS 26 introduces two built in apps to the iPhone home screen: Apple Games and Preview. Apple Games acts as a central hub for gaming across iPhone, iPad, and Mac this fall, with a Home tab that shows recommended games, events, and easy access to favorites. The app also includes Arcade, Play Together, and Library sections that echo the existing gaming ecosystem. The move aims to consolidate gaming features into a single, easy to reach space on the home screen.

Preview brings Mac's familiar PDF and image tools to iOS for the first time. It offers viewing and editing PDFs and images, document scanning, PDF AutoFill, and the ability to create new images from scratch or the clipboard. It uses the new document browser UI introduced in iPadOS 18, aligning with Finder like document handling, and will integrate with iCloud and the Files app across devices. The addition signals a broader push to make core productivity tasks feel native on iPhone and iPad, rather than relying on third party apps.

Apple looks to deepen ecosystem lock in by adding built in utilities that cover daily tasks from play to work. The Games hub promises quick access to favorite titles and social features, while Preview aims to be a portable, in house alternative to standalone PDF apps. If successful, these tools could shift how users allocate screen time and how third party developers position their apps. The risk for developers is clear: increased competition for attention and storage space on devices, especially if Apple favors fast onboarding and strong default UX. For users, the benefits are convenience and consistency, but the update also raises questions about privacy, data handling, and performance on older devices.

Highlights

Time will tell how these additions change daily device use