Microsoft Lens is Going Away: What it Means for Your Document Scanning & Top Alternatives
Microsoft is sunsetting its popular document scanning app, Microsoft lens, leaving many users searching for a replacement. This free tool, known for effortlessly converting photos of documents and handwritten notes into editable digital formats like PDF, word, PowerPoint, and Excel, will no longer be available for new installations after October 2024. Here’s a comprehensive look at the situation, why Microsoft is making this change, and what options you have to continue seamlessly scanning your vital papers.
The End of an Era for Microsoft Lens
For years, Microsoft Lens has been a go-to solution for quickly digitizing details. You could easily capture images of documents, receipts, whiteboards, and even business cards, then save them directly to OneNote or OneDrive. However, Microsoft announced the app’s phasing out, with full functionality ending in December 2025.
Here’s a timeline of key dates:
September 2024: Phasing out begins.
October 2024: New installations are blocked.
November 2024: Removal from app stores (Google Play Store & iOS App Store).
December 2025: App will no longer function for new scans.
You can find more details on Microsoft’s official support page here.
Why is Microsoft Discontinuing Lens?
The move is part of a broader shift towards integrating artificial intelligence into Microsoft’s productivity suite. Microsoft is pushing users towards its Microsoft 365 Copilot app as the successor. Though,this transition isn’t without its drawbacks.
Notably,Copilot lacks several features that made Lens so convenient,including:
Direct saving to OneNote,Word,or PowerPoint.
Dedicated business card scanning and saving.
The “Read out loud” functionality.
Integration with Immersive Reader.
Essentially, Microsoft is prioritizing AI-powered features over the streamlined, focused functionality that Lens provided. This decision has understandably frustrated many loyal users.
What Happens to Your Existing Scans?
fortunately, Microsoft isn’t deleting your existing data. You will still be able to access previously scanned documents within the “MyScans” section of the app. Though, you’ll need to migrate to a new solution for future scanning needs.
Top Alternatives to Microsoft Lens
Don’t worry,you have plenty of excellent options to replace Microsoft Lens. Here are some of the best document scanner apps available:
Adobe Scan: A robust and widely-used option, Adobe Scan offers excellent OCR (optical Character Recognition) accuracy and integrates well with other Adobe products.
Google Drive: If you’re already a Google user,Google Drive’s built-in scanning feature is a convenient choice. It’s readily accessible on Android devices and offers solid performance.
OSS Document Scanner (Open source Scanner): This free and open-source app is available for both Android and iOS. It provides a privacy-focused alternative with a range of features. You can find it on the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store.
Apple Notes (iOS): For iPhone and iPad users,the built-in Notes app is surprisingly powerful. It offers excellent scanning capabilities, automatic document edge detection, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. you can learn more here.
Which Scanner App Should You Choose?
The best app for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.If you require advanced features and integration with Adobe’
