# Microsoft Lens: PDF Scanner — PDF scan, Docs, Whiteboard > Mobile scanner app for documents, whiteboards, and business cards. (iPhone/iPad app by Microsoft Corporation.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-lens-pdf-scanner/id975925059 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) - Category: Productivity, Business - Price: Free - Rating: 4.80/5 from 142,096 App Store ratings · 589 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 76 MB - Languages: Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German and 23 more - Released: 2015-04-02 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-lens-pdf-scanner/id975925059/reviews.md ## What is Microsoft Lens? Microsoft Lens (formerly Office Lens) trims, enhances, and makes pictures of whiteboards and documents readable. You can use Microsoft Lens to convert images to PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files, digitize printed or handwritten text, and save to OneNote, OneDrive, or your local device. You can even import images that are already on your device using Gallery. PRODUCTIVITY AT WORK   • Scan and upload all your notes, receipts, and documents • Capture whiteboard at end of the meeting to keep those action items on track • Scan printed text or handwritten meeting notes to edit and share later • Keep your business networking contacts handy by scanning business cards and saving them to your contact list • Choose to save as PDF, Image, Word or PowerPoint formats into OneNote, OneDrive, or local device as location PRODUCTIVITY AT SCHOOL  • Scan classroom handouts and annotate them in Word and OneNote • Scan handwritten notes to digitize and edit later (works with English only) • Take a picture of the whiteboard or blackboard to reference later, even if you're offline • Keep class notes and your own research organized with the seamless integration with OneNote Join the beta program at this link to get an early preview of the next version of Microsoft Lens and help make it better by providing us feedback: https://testflight.apple.com/join/aRahHf00 ## Key features - Scan documents and whiteboards - Convert images to PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel - Digitize printed or handwritten text - Save to OneNote, OneDrive, or local device - Import images from gallery - Scan business cards ## What do users think of Microsoft Lens? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Accurate scanning - 🚀 Efficient document capture - 👍 Easy to use - 👍 Integrates well with Microsoft ecosystem - 👍 Useful for students and professionals **Cons** - 🐛 Inconsistent document detection - 🐛 Unreliable OneDrive integration - 🐛 Frequent sign-in issues - 🐛 Inability to delete local scans - 🐛 Automatic cropping problems **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when trying to export documents - Scanning functionality stops working after updates - Inability to save scans to local storage - Repeated sign-in prompts even when logged in - Incorrect document orientation after scanning **Most requested features** - Add ability to adjust document borders manually - Implement default settings for file quality and save location - Improve OCR accuracy, especially for numbers and foreign characters - Add batch processing options for filters and orientation - Provide better feedback when encountering errors ## Recent user reviews (10 of 589) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-lens-pdf-scanner/id975925059/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Need OneDrive now *2026-02-04, version 2.106.1* Why do I now need to download OneDrive to keep using Lens? Microsoft is trash ### 5/5 — Undefeated *2026-02-03, version 2.106.1* Best scanner app since 2019 to me ### 1/5 — Used to be my favorite. Not anymore *2026-02-03, version 2.106.1* The latest version has an extra screen to ask you to use one drive. Very annoying. I am getting rid of the app totally. Similar screen happens to desktop versions of Office applications. Very bad user experience. They need to fire their software designers. ### 1/5 — Security settings break Lens functionality *2026-02-02, version 2.106.1* Integration with OneDrive is awful and I can’t even sign on though the OneDrive app is running on my device. Can’t save to OneDrive, probably due to company policies that expect this integration but fail. Authenticator opens, I enter my email address, the it switches back to lens, where I click on one drive again and repeat the loop. ### 5/5 — 2026 Why CANCEL app!? *2026-02-02, version 2.106.1* Microsoft, what is the alternative product that has all these scanning features built in? Are you going to add these features to OneNote or OneDrive? Especially the feature to scan handwritten notes and convert them into digital text? ### 5/5 — Easy to use *2026-01-31, version 2.106.1* Very convenient to use 👍 ### 5/5 — Single-Purpose Scanning App I Prefer *2026-01-31, version 2.106.1* Microsoft Lens is a very useful, single-purpose app that I use often. It quickly turns photos into clean, readable scans that I can save as PDF files, and it works well enough that I regularly use it instead of a physical scanner. What I like most is that it stays focused on the main job. I do not need scanning features buried inside larger apps that require signing in or repeated authentication. I prefer single-purpose tools, and Microsoft Lens fits that preference. I also appreciate not having to rely on a subscription. For my needs, it provides reliable, straightforward scanning to PDF without adding unnecessary complexity. ### 5/5 — Not Happy *2026-01-31, version 2.106.1* Too bad that they decided to retire this app. It’s one of the best to make PDF scans of documents. ### 1/5 — Garbage *2026-01-31, version 2.106.1* Constant adverts for OneDrive, app does everything in its power to make it harder to scan a damn page ### 5/5 — Import documents with your phone *2026-01-29, version 2.106.1* Throw your scanner in the trashcan! …unless it’s also your printer. We still need a hard copy sometimes or we are no better than the dolphins. ## Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Lens ### What does Microsoft Lens do? Microsoft Lens is a mobile scanning application that allows you to capture images of documents, whiteboards, and business cards. It then enhances these images, trims them, and makes the text readable. You can convert these scans into various digital formats like PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files. ### What are the key features of Microsoft Lens? Key features include scanning documents and whiteboards, converting images to PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel formats, digitizing printed or handwritten text using OCR, and the ability to save scans directly to OneNote, OneDrive, or your local device. It also allows importing existing images from your gallery. ### Is Microsoft Lens free to use? Yes, Microsoft Lens is a free application. The provided information indicates that it does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a completely free user experience. ### What devices is Microsoft Lens compatible with? While specific operating system versions are not detailed, the application is designed for mobile devices. It is available for both iOS and Android platforms, allowing users to digitize and manage documents on the go. ### How can I use Microsoft Lens for productivity? Microsoft Lens enhances productivity by allowing you to quickly scan and digitize notes, receipts, and documents. You can capture whiteboard content from meetings to keep track of action items, scan business cards to save contacts, and organize class notes or research with seamless integration into OneNote. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.106.1 — 2026-01-09 Annoucing Retirement of Microsoft Lens ### 2.96.1 — 2025-04-10 Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 2.94.1 — 2025-03-07 Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 2.77.1 — 2023-09-25 Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 2.77 — 2023-09-20 Bug fixes and performance improvements ## Apps similar to Microsoft Lens | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CamScanner - PDF Scanner App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/camscanner-pdf-scanner-app/id388627783) | 4.8 (68,380) | Free | Productivity | | [Scanner Mini – Scan PDF & Fax](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scanner-mini-scan-pdf-and-fax/id581365763) | 4.9 (20,704) | Free | Productivity | | [CamScanner + \| OCR Scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/camscanner-plus-ocr-scanner/id388624839) | 4.9 (16,684) | $0.99 | Productivity | | [PDF Expert: Editor & Converter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-expert-editor-and-converter/id743974925) | 4.7 (214,585) | Free | Productivity | | [vFlat Scan - PDF & OCR Scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vflat-scan-pdf-and-ocr-scanner/id1540238220) | 4.8 (5,868) | Free | Productivity | | [My Scans, best PDF Scanner App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/my-scans-best-pdf-scanner-app/id992843986) | 4.8 (48,923) | Free | Productivity | ## More apps by Microsoft Corporation - [Viva Engage](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viva-engage/id289559439) - [Microsoft Bing Search](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-bing-search/id345323231) - [Microsoft OneNote](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-onenote/id410395246) - [Microsoft OneDrive](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-onedrive/id477537958) - [Microsoft Lync 2010 for iPad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-lync-2010-for-ipad/id484222449) - [Microsoft Lync 2010 for iPhone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-lync-2010-for-iphone/id484293461) All apps by Microsoft Corporation: https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*