Microsoft Discontinues Popular Document Scanning App Microsoft Lens, Users Directed Towards Copilot AI Chat App
In an era where multi-functional apps reign supreme, Microsoft’s simplicity offering – Lens – stood out as a reliable mobile document scanner. The app, which converted paper documents, business cards, receipts, and more into digital files with minimal effort, is being phased out.
Microsoft has announced that users will be redirected to the Copilot AI chat app instead, signaling the end of Lens’ journey. As per a new support document, Lens will cease operation on iOS and Android devices from September 15, 2025. The app will subsequently be removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play on November 15, 2025.
Existing users can continue to utilize the scanning capabilities of the app until December 15, 2025. Post this date, no new scans will be possible, but access to prior scans will persist as long as the app remains on the user’s device.
First introduced in 2015 under the name Office Lens, designed initially for Windows Phone devices, Microsoft Lens offered a unique and uncluttered approach to mobile document scanning. Unlike many contemporary apps, it did not impose charges for specific functionalities or insist on subscriptions.
The app’s primary function was to convert any handwritten note, document, receipt, business card, or even whiteboard scribbles into desired file formats such as PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or images. It also provided built-in filters to enhance image quality, lighten documents, and more.
Users could then save the files to Microsoft’s apps, other online services, or their camera roll. Its simplicity and efficiency made it a popular choice.
Recent reports indicate that Lens’ shutdown was first identified by the site Bleeping Computer, which points out that users are being directed towards the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. However, Copilot lacks the comprehensive functionality found in Lens, as it cannot save scans directly to OneNote, Word, or PowerPoint, nor does it save business card scans to OneNote. Furthermore, it falls short of Lens’ accessibility features like read-out-loud and Immersive Reader integration, according to the site.
Despite its age, Lens remains popular, with over 322,000 downloads recorded on the App Store and Google Play in the past 30 days. Since January 2017, it has been downloaded a total of 92.3 million times, according to data from app intelligence provider Appfigures.
Microsoft has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the decision to discontinue Lens.
