Microsoft has officially announced the planned retirement of its widely-used document scanning application, Microsoft Lens, from both iOS and Android platforms. Starting September 15, 2025, the app will no longer be available for download from either the Apple App Store or Google Play. Current users of the application, however, will have a short grace period to continue using its scanning functionalities until December 15, 2025, as long as it remains installed on their devices.
Transitioning to Copilot
With Microsoft Lens fading out, the tech giant has directed users towards its new offering, Copilot, an AI-powered chat app designed to handle various tasks including scanning. Although Copilot boasts innovative AI features, it currently misses certain capabilities found in Lens, such as direct saving to Microsoft Office applications like Word and PowerPoint, and business card integration to OneNote.
Moreover, some accessibility features, which were a staple part of Microsoft Lens, will not be available with Copilot as of now. Nevertheless, Microsoft has assured users that efforts are underway to enhance Copilot’s functionalities over time, striving to match and exceed Lens’s offerings.
Guidelines for existing users of Microsoft Lens
Guidelines for Existing Users
Users of the existing Microsoft Lens app need not worry about losing access to their previous scans. MyScans or My Creations sections within the app allow users to view already-captured documents, even post the app's removal from the app stores. On iOS devices, cloud-stored scans can be accessed by navigating through the Create tab to the folder icon. Local scans, however, will reside solely on the device and will not migrate to Copilot.
Conversely, Android users must enable "All Files Access" for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app through their device settings, allowing them to see and retrieve their past scans by accessing the Create tab and folder icon pathway.
Looking Ahead
While some long-time users may express regret over the Microsoft Lens’s exit, Microsoft’s strategic shift signifies a broader emphasis on integrating AI elements into productivity tools. The gradual phasing out of Lens marks an evolutionary journey from its inception in 2015 when it was initially launched as Office Lens with innovative scanning capabilities that did not gravitate towards paid subscriptions—a departure from many contemporaneous scanning apps.
As technology continues to evolve, Microsoft seems poised to leverage AI through tools like Copilot, embedding deeper intelligence into everyday apps. Users are encouraged to stay tuned for enhancements in future updates as Microsoft continues to refine and expand the capabilities of its services.
