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4h ago

Microsoft Phases Out Lens Scanner App, Directs Users to Copilot

The tech giant’s three-stage timetable disables new installs in September, pulls Lens from app stores in November, ends scanning in December; this change underscores gaps in Copilot’s workflow

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Despite retiring the app, users can access previous scans via the MyScans section

Overview

  • New Lens installs will be blocked starting Sept. 15, the app will disappear from Apple and Google stores on Nov. 15 and new scanning will be disabled after Dec. 15, although existing files remain in MyScans and OneDrive.
  • Microsoft is urging Lens users to migrate their scanning workflows into the AI-powered Microsoft 365 Copilot app despite its incomplete feature set.
  • Copilot’s scanning lacks key Lens functions such as direct saving to Word, PowerPoint and OneNote plus business-card capture, read-aloud support and Immersive Reader integration.
  • Since its 2015 debut, Lens has amassed over 92 million downloads and earned high ratings for its free, reliable PDF and image conversion tools.
  • Users are considering third-party replacements like Adobe Scan, Google PhotoScan and TurboScan and preparing to export their stored scans before the December cutoff.