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Have you ever used Microsoft Lens to scan a whiteboard, receipt, or business card? It’s a small and helpful app that turns your phone camera into a scanner. But now, Microsoft quietly announced the app is being phased out in favor of AI-powered Copilot Mobile.
Let’s explore:
- What Microsoft Lens did
- Why is it being retired?
- How Copilot handles scanning now
- What does it mean for users?
What Was Microsoft Lens?
Microsoft Lens started in 2015 (then called Office Lens). It lets you scan:
- Documents
- Receipts
- Whiteboards
- Business cards
It turned them into PDFs, Word files, PowerPoints, or images. It sharpened the picture, removed glare, and made clean, readable scans. And it was free, simple, and reliable.
What’s Changing?
Goodbye Lens:
- Starting September 15, 2025, Microsoft will retire Lens from iOS and Android.
- By November 15, Lens will disappear from app stores.
- After December 15, the app won’t let you make new scans, though old scans will still show up.
Enter Microsoft 365 Copilot Mobile
Microsoft is replacing Lens with features inside the Copilot Mobile app, which now includes scanning, though it’s not a perfect twin.
Good news: Copilot can scan documents and save them to OneDrive.
Not-so-good: Missing a few Lens features:
- You won’t save directly to OneNote, Word, or PowerPoint
- No business card scanner that auto-saves to OneNote
- No reading-aloud (Immersive Reader) tools
Why Is Microsoft Doing This?
- AI Centralization
Microsoft wants one powerful app (Copilot) to do many things—chatting, searching, organizing, and scanning. - Less Maintenance
Maintaining one app is easier than dozens. Merging Lens into Copilot means fewer updates and security checks. - Part of the AI Future
Microsoft views AI as central to productivity. Folding scanning into Copilot reinforces their AI-first strategy.
Why Users Might Feel Sad
Microsoft Lens was straightforward and did one job well. Here’s what people will miss:
- Quick and easy scanning without extra clutter
- Direct export to apps like Word or PowerPoint
- Accessibility features like Immersive Reader and reading aloud
It was a no-frills tool many relied on. Now, they’ll need to adapt—or search for replacements.
What to Do Instead
- Switch to Copilot Mobile if you already use Microsoft tools. It handles scans, though not every Lens feature is there yet.
- Explore Alternatives like CamScanner, iLovePDF, or Adobe Scan. They’re popular options for mobile scanning.
The Bigger Picture
This move isn’t just about one app ending—it shows how AI reshapes everyday tech:
| Lens Feature | Copilot Status | What’s Changing |
| Simple, stand-alone tool | Part of a broader AI app | Less focused, more complex |
| Free and easy | Free to try, but becoming premium | Value depends on usage |
| Direct app integrations | Limited export options | The workflow may change |
| Accessibility tools | Not yet included | Lower inclusivity |
Conclusion
Microsoft Lens made scanning fast, intuitive, and free. But now that simple app is being retired, replaced by broader—but more complex—AI features inside Copilot Mobile. If you love Lens, consider switching soon and appreciate the value of simplicity.
Familiar tools can fade away. But with thoughtful choices, you can keep scanning easily, whether through Copilot or another helpful app.
