Microsoft to retire popular Lens app, fold scanning into Copilot

[Skye Jacobs]

Cutting corners: Microsoft has confirmed it will discontinue its popular document-scanning app, Microsoft Lens, at the end of 2025. The move will mark the end of a tool that has been a staple for digitizing physical documents on mobile devices since its 2014 debut. The phase-out aligns with Microsoft's strategy to consolidate functionality within its Microsoft 365 and Copilot app ecosystem.

Originally known as Office Lens, the free app quickly gained traction as a way to convert documents, notes, and whiteboard sketches into digital formats using your phone's camera. Over time, Microsoft expanded its capabilities, enabling users to create PDFs as well as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files, and to perform OCR on both handwritten and printed text.

With more than 50 million downloads and strong ratings on Google Play and the App Store, Lens became one of Microsoft's most popular free mobile apps.

The shutdown will be phased in over several months. Beginning in mid-September 2025, Microsoft will start removing the app. By mid-November, it will no longer be available for download from app stores. On December 15, the app will stop working for new scans, though previously saved scans will remain viewable in the MyScans folder. These files will no longer receive updates or support.

Google Lens is one alternative to the Microsoft app.

Microsoft is directing users to its Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which features an upgraded scanning tool. This function can capture text directly into Word documents and tables into Excel, with all content saved to OneDrive under MyCreations. However, not all Lens features will make the transition. Direct saving to OneNote or PowerPoint, as well as business-card scanning, will not be supported in Copilot.

The move reflects a broader shift in how people scan documents. Most smartphones now come with built-in scanning features in their camera or notes apps, reducing the need for standalone tools like Lens. At the same time, Microsoft is prioritizing AI capabilities within its core productivity apps instead of maintaining separate utilities.

For those seeking alternatives, several options are available. Adobe Scan offers strong text recognition and integrates seamlessly with Adobe's other tools. CamScanner provides advanced editing and organization features, while Google Lens works natively on Android devices and can recognize more than just text.

Open-source solutions such as GImageReader and OpenScan are also worth considering for users who prefer free and community-maintained software.

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Microsoft to retire popular Lens app, fold scanning into Copilot

 

[Theinsanegamer]

"However, not all Lens features will make the transition. Direct saving to OneNote or PowerPoint, as well as business-card scanning, will not be supported in Copilot."

How is it that every time a megacorp makes these terribly anti consumer decisions, they pull stuff like this? All you will accomplish is driving your customers to alternative platforms. WE DONT WANT COPILOT!

 

[Mihai S]

I like the mobile Lens app and use it all the time. I don't want copilot.

 

[Anton Longshot]

I know someone who likes Copilot.
No idea what's up with that and I'm not interested in finding out.

 

[RudyBob]

"ecosystem" Scary word

 

[DrSuess]

I didn't even know Lens existed and somehow I survived.

 

[amghwk]

Microsoft Lens is something very useful. Instantly converts my signed written or typed document into PDF for immediate e-mailing.

From the app permission, it doesn't request for internet access. Maybe I'll just disable automatic updates for this to prevent MS screwing it up.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I didn't even know Lens existed and somehow I survived.

It's a very convenient tool, much like Publisher. It seems MS just wants to give people more reasons to hate and avoid them in the future.

 

[acrossthestars]

"By mid-November, it will no longer be available for download from app stores. On December 15, the app will stop working for new scans, though previously saved scans will remain viewable in the MyScans folder. These files will no longer receive updates or support."

All they have to do is make it available as-is, with no further software support. A company that is proud of their product line doesn't engage in these kind of underhanded tactics. If people want Copilot, they will use it. Forcing compliance, by downgrading the current offering, is a sign of incompetence and/or malice.

 

[deathspeed]

Absolutely amazing to me how MS, Google, Meta, etc. still will not acknowledge that people DO NOT WANT AI enshittifying their existing tools and experiences. They are prioritizing short term gains over long term growth. Even my non-tech 82 year old mom is starting to ask me for better search tools, etc. "without all this AI poppycock."

 

[wiyosaya]

And CoPilot, will undoubtedly make at least some images into things that do not resemble the original item that was scanned.

 

[wiyosaya]

"By mid-November, it will no longer be available for download from app stores. On December 15, the app will stop working for new scans, though previously saved scans will remain viewable in the MyScans folder. These files will no longer receive updates or support."

All they have to do is make it available as-is, with no further software support. A company that is proud of their product line doesn't engage in these kind of underhanded tactics. If people want Copilot, they will use it. Forcing compliance, by downgrading the current offering, is a sign of incompetence and/or malice.

Its Microsoft. Expect no less.

 

[DrSuess]

And CoPilot, will undoubtedly make at least some images into things that do not resemble the original item that was scanned.

I don't really care about that as much as I care more about CoPilot using my personal information for training purposes or possibly leaking my sensitive data by retaining what is sent back to the data center.