In a world where complexity often reigns, simplicity can be a breath of fresh air. Microsoft Lens—a beloved document scanning app—was exactly that. It allowed users to easily transform paper documents, business cards, receipts, and more into readily accessible digital formats. But now, it’s time to bid farewell to this straightforward app as Microsoft shifts its focus toward its AI-driven Copilot.

According to a new support announcement, Microsoft Lens will officially cease operations on iOS and Android devices starting September 15, 2025. It will disappear from the Apple App Store and Google Play on November 15, 2025. Though users will still have access to Lens's scanning functionality until December 15, 2025, after that, new scans will be off the table, although past scans can be retrieved as long as the app remains on the device.

Originally launched in 2015 as Office Lens for Windows Phone, Microsoft Lens distinguished itself from other scanning apps by not imposing hidden fees or subscription models—a rarity in today’s app marketplace. Its mission was simple: seamlessly convert handwritten notes, receipts, business cards, or even whiteboard sketches into various formats like PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or images.

One of its key features was a range of built-in filters that enhanced images, ensuring they were clear, legible, and in crisp black-and-white where needed. Users could easily save their files to Microsoft apps or other online services, making the app a versatile tool that simply worked.

The announcement of Lens’s demise was first uncovered by Bleeping Computer, which noted that users are now being directed to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. However, this substitution isn't seamless; Copilot lacks many features Lens users cherished. For example, while it can scan documents, it doesn't allow saving those files directly to OneNote, Word, or PowerPoint. Not to mention, it completely omits essential accessibility features like the read-aloud function and Immersive Reader integration.

Despite being on the market for years, Lens has remained popular—amassing over 322,000 downloads in just the past month, with a staggering total of 92.3 million downloads since January 2017, according to Appfigures data. Yet, Microsoft has yet to provide additional insights or comments regarding the discontinuation of this user-friendly app.