Microsoft Lens app will probably be discontinued later this 12 months, the corporate stated final week. The app was designed to scan photographs of bodily paperwork, textual content, handwritten papers, and whiteboards and convert them into digital information. Nonetheless, the Redmond-based tech large acknowledged that will probably be retired in a phased method by the top of this 12 months. Whereas the corporate didn’t share the rationale behind the discontinuation of the Lens app, it steered that customers change to the Microsoft Copilot 365 as a substitute.
Copilot Replaces Microsoft Lens App
Whereas the talk on synthetic intelligence (AI) changing jobs continues, it has already began changing apps. The Microsoft Lens app, which was launched in 2015 as a doc scanning device, is being retired as the corporate recommends customers use the Copilot app as a substitute.
On its support page, the tech large acknowledged that the Lens app will probably be retired from the iOS and Android marketplaces on September 15. Then, after November 15, Microsoft will cease supporting the app, though those that had beforehand put in the app will have the ability to scan new paperwork. Lastly, this functionality may even be taken away after December 2025. After that, customers can solely entry older scans from the MyScans part.
Notably, Microsoft first launched the app aimed toward its Home windows Telephone units. Again then, it was known as the Workplace Lens, and in contrast to different third-party instruments, which required both buying the app or paying a subscription for premium options, it supplied all options free of charge.
Providing an alternate, the tech large is now recommending customers to make use of Copilot for all their doc scanning wants. On the cellular app, customers can open the menu and head to the Create tab to straight scan their paperwork. The desktop app and the web site can even carry out this job when prompted for a similar.
Nonetheless, Microsoft highlighted that some Lens app options usually are not obtainable within the Copilot app. These embrace saving scans on to OneNote, Phrase, or PowerPoint, scanning enterprise playing cards to OneNote, studying paperwork aloud, and the mixing of an immersive Reader.