- Phased retirement begins mid-September 2025; new installs disabled mid-October, app removed mid-November.
- After December 15, 2025, no new scans can be created, but existing ones remain in MyScans.
- Microsoft recommends Microsoft 365 Copilot for scanning, though some Lens features are missing.
- Lens, formerly Office Lens, handled PDF and Office exports and OCR for printed and handwritten text.
Microsoft Lens PDF Scanner is nearing the end of its run on iOS and Android, with a staged retirement scheduled for late 2025. The company has outlined a sequence that winds down downloads and the ability to create new scans over the coming months.
For people who rely on Lens to capture documents, whiteboards, receipts, or notes, the key takeaway is that scanning will stop within a defined window while previously captured content remains accessible in specific folders. Below is a clear look at the dates, what still works, and what changes if you move to Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Key dates and what will change
The phase-out starts in mid-September 2025 (September 15), when Microsoft begins retiring the Lens mobile app for iOS and Android in stages.
One month later, in mid-October 2025, new installations from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store will be disabled, meaning fresh downloads will no longer be possible.
By mid-November 2025, Microsoft Lens will be removed from both app stores, so it will no longer appear in search results or listings.
After December 15, 2025, users who still have the app installed will no longer be able to create new scans. The app won’t accept new captures, though your old scans won’t immediately disappear.
What remains available after scanning ends
Existing captures will stay visible in the app’s MyScans folder. Microsoft notes this access will remain but is not considered an actively supported feature going forward.
If you saved your scans to OneDrive, those items can be found in the MyCreations section inside the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. This path is how Microsoft expects users to keep accessing cloud-synced content.
The recommended replacement and feature gaps
Microsoft recommends switching to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for ongoing scanning. It offers similar capture capabilities, allowing you to continue digitizing documents from your phone.
Nevertheless, there are some limitations compared with Lens. Currently, Copilot does not allow you to save scans directly to OneNote, Word, or PowerPoint, and it doesn’t support scanning business cards into OneNote.
The accessibility and reading tools are also somewhat restricted: Copilot currently lacks read-out-loud functionality and Immersive Reader integration. Microsoft has stated that it will continue improving Copilot, but no specific timeline has been provided.
What Microsoft Lens offered
Originally launched as Office Lens, the app made it easy to capture printed or handwritten content and convert images into PDF, Word, PowerPoint, or Excel files. Many users relied on its OCR to tidy up classroom notes, whiteboards, and paperwork.
On Android, the app achieved 50 million+ installs on Google Play, with a strong user rating profile in both major app stores. Its simplicity and reliable export options made it a popular scanner for diverse daily tasks.
Practical options for affected users
The most straightforward approach is to try scanning with Microsoft 365 Copilot and verify if it covers your daily needs, especially if your files are already stored in OneDrive or if you prefer to keep everything within Microsoft’s ecosystem.
If specific Lens features are essential and Copilot doesn’t yet support them, consider the built-in scanners available on many phones or explore third-party apps like Adobe Scan, CamScanner, ABBYY FineReader PDF, or Genius Scan.
For organizations and schools, it’s advisable to document the December 15, 2025 cutoff, update internal guides, and verify where shared scans are stored to ensure uninterrupted access.
Microsoft’s timeline is clear: downloads will diminish in the fall, and creating new scans will stop in mid-December. With MyScans access and files visible in OneDrive through Copilot’s MyCreations, most content remains accessible. Sin embargo, usuarios que dependen de la integración directa con OneNote o de funciones específicas de accesibilidad deben explorar alternativas antes del cierre.
