Microsoft to Shut Down the Popular Document Scanning App, Microsoft Lens

August 9, 2025
Microsoft Lens

Microsoft announced that its highly-rated Microsoft Lens app for iOS and Android will be phased out by the end of 2025. Starting September 15, 2025, Microsoft will begin disabling new installations, and the app will be permanently removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store by November.

A Timeline for the Microsoft Lens Shutdown:

  • Mid-September 2025: Phase-out process begins.
  • Mid-October 2025: New installations of Microsoft Lens will no longer be available.
  • Mid-November 2025: The app will be removed from both app marketplaces.
  • Mid-December 2025: Users will lose the ability to create new scans, but existing files will remain accessible in the MyScans folder.

While the functionality of Microsoft Lens will cease after December 15, 2025, users can access their previous scans without updates or technical support from Microsoft.

Why Is Microsoft Retiring Microsoft Lens?

First launched in 2014 as Office Lens, the app was designed to simplify document scanning and sharing. Over the years, it became one of Microsoft’s top-rated free apps on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. However, with advancements in their latest tools, Microsoft is shifting its focus to integrating scanning features directly into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Your New Scanning Solution

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to the Scan feature in Microsoft 365 Copilot, which offers advanced scanning capabilities integrated with popular tools such as Word and Excel. With Microsoft 365 Copilot, scanned files will automatically save to OneDrive in the MyCreations section, streamlining productivity for users who rely on document management tools.

Microsoft reassures users that they are actively investing in the Scan feature within Copilot to enhance features and usability.

For additional details about this transition, users with Microsoft 365 Admin Center access can refer to message ID MC1131064.

Stay updated on Microsoft’s software advancements as they continue to innovate and enhance productivity tools.

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Author

  • Detailed App

    Senior App Analyst | Author @ Detailed App Smith Andreew is a U.S.-based tech researcher and app analyst with over 8 years of experience exploring the ever-evolving world of mobile and web applications. As the author and lead contributor at Detailed App, Smith focuses on in-depth reviews, app comparisons, user experience evaluations, and uncovering powerful tools designed to make life easier in the digital age. After earning his Bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego, Smith began his career in software product testing before shifting his passion toward app discovery and usability research. His work has been featured in independent tech publications, and he's consulted for startups across Silicon Valley and Austin. At Detailed App, Smith brings a hands-on, user-first approach, testing every app across multiple devices and platforms before publishing his findings. Whether you're looking for productivity boosters, privacy-first tools, AI apps, or simply the best alternatives to what’s trending — his insights are tailored for real users making real decisions. When he’s not reviewing the latest apps, Smith enjoys hiking the Pacific Northwest, attending tech expos, and mentoring young developers through community programs.

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