Microsoft Retires Highly-Rated Lens App, Shifts Scanning to OneDrive Ecosystem

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its Microsoft Lens app for Android and iOS, a surprising move given the application's strong user reception. Lens, which earned a 4.8/5 rating across both platforms with over 50 million downloads on Android alone, will be removed from app stores on February 9, 2026, with scanning functionality ceasing entirely on March 9, 2026.

The decision reflects Microsoft's strategy to consolidate mobile features into its core productivity ecosystem. Existing Lens users can retain access to previously captured scans if they keep the app installed, but all new scanning operations will be handled through OneDrive's built-in document scanner. This functionality is also accessible through Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Microsoft's official support documentation states: "We're focusing on enhancing scanning within OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Copilot to provide a unified experience." This consolidation eliminates redundancy but removes a standalone tool praised for its simplicity. Lens offered specialized scanning modes for documents, whiteboards, business cards, and photos with automatic perspective correction and text recognition.

The transition highlights Microsoft's ecosystem-first approach, where features migrate toward subscription services like Microsoft 365. While OneDrive's scanner shares core capabilities, Lens enthusiasts valued its dedicated interface and workflow. Users should migrate scanning activities to OneDrive before March 2026 and explore its OCR features integrated with cloud storage. For those evaluating alternatives, Microsoft's documentation provides guidance on replicating Lens workflows within OneDrive.