Microsoft Lens alternative
A Microsoft Lens alternative for Android now that Lens is retired
Short answer: Microsoft Lens has been retired and no longer scans, so it is not a safe choice for new documents. Scanly is a free, open-source Android scanner with no account, no ads and no watermark, and it covers capture, cropping, filters and PDF export.
Microsoft Lens was a popular scanner app, and many people still have scans from it and need a new app. Microsoft has retired Lens, so it can no longer be used to scan. If you are choosing a replacement today, the questions that matter are where your scans will live and whether you need an account.
This page sets out the Lens retirement timeline from Microsoft’s own support page, lists what to check before switching, and gives a plain answer on when Scanly is the right replacement and when it is not.
Install Scanly free on Google Play (Android 10+, no account, no ads)
Scanly vs Microsoft Lens
| Feature | Scanly | Microsoft Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Available on Google Play | Retired; removed from app stores on February 9, 2026 |
| Scanning | Available | Stopped on March 9, 2026 |
| Where scans are stored | On your phone | Existing scans viewable only while Lens stays installed |
| Platforms | Android 10 and later | Removed from the App Store and Google Play |
Microsoft Lens details are from Microsoft’s support page for Lens. Scanly details are from the v1.0.18 release.
What happened to Microsoft Lens
Microsoft’s support page recommends the scan feature in the OneDrive app instead. That feature saves scans to OneDrive, which is a cloud service, and it needs a Microsoft account.
- Retirement began on January 9, 2026.
- Lens was removed from the App Store and Google Play on February 9, 2026.
- Scanning stopped on March 9, 2026.
- Existing scans can be viewed only while the app stays installed.
What to check before you pick a replacement
- Save anything you need first. Because existing scans are viewable only while Lens stays installed, keep copies of the documents you care about before you uninstall it.
- Where new scans will be stored: on your phone, or in a cloud account.
- Whether the app needs an account to scan.
- Which platforms it runs on. Lens is gone from both app stores, so look for an app that is still listed and maintained.
How Scanly compares
Scanly runs on Android 10 and later. It covers the basics of document scanning: live edge detection, auto-capture or a manual shutter, crop with perspective correction, 10 filter presets, multi-page documents, and PDF export with optional password and page numbers. Everything runs on your phone, so there is no account to create.
Who should pick what
- Pick Scanly if you want an Android scanner that works on your phone with no sign-in and no cloud.
- Pick the OneDrive app’s scan feature if you already use OneDrive and want scans in the cloud, since it is the option Microsoft recommends.
- Pick Adobe Scan or the Google Drive scanner if you want cloud sync with an Adobe or Google account.
When Microsoft’s recommended option is the better fit
If your work already runs on Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, and your team needs scans in that cloud, the OneDrive scan feature is the better fit, and it is the path Microsoft itself points to. Scanly does not sync to OneDrive or any other cloud service, and it has no web or iPhone app, so weigh that before you switch.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Lens still available?
- No. Microsoft retired Lens. It was removed from the App Store and Google Play on February 9, 2026, and scanning stopped on March 9, 2026.
- Can I still see my old Microsoft Lens scans?
- Only while the Lens app stays installed. Microsoft says existing scans can be viewed only while the app remains on your device, so keep copies of anything you need before you uninstall it.
- What does Microsoft recommend instead of Lens?
- Microsoft recommends the scan feature in the OneDrive app. It saves scans to OneDrive and needs a Microsoft account.
- Is Scanly a good replacement for Microsoft Lens?
- For Android users who want scans to stay on their phone, yes. Scanly is free, needs no account, shows no ads or watermark, and exports PDFs. It does not sync to OneDrive or any cloud, and it is Android only.
- Does Scanly need a Microsoft account?
- No. Scanly needs no account at all, and it does not sync to OneDrive or any other cloud.
Sources
Last checked 2026-10-22. Markdown version