Microsoft Lens is no longer the obvious answer for scanning documents on Android. Microsoft retired Lens in 2026 and points users toward OneDrive for scanning, but that is only one option. If you scan receipts, forms, books or multi-page PDFs, the best replacement depends on whether you care most about OCR, cloud sync, batch capture or keeping the workflow simple.
For this guide, we prioritized apps that are established, available through official distribution, and useful for a clearly defined task. We also looked at whether the workflow can be completed without unnecessary permissions, whether files can stay local when appropriate, and whether the app makes its limits understandable.
Quick picks
| App | Best for | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft OneDrive | Lens users who already use Microsoft 365 | Microsoft’s own migration path with built-in document scanning |
| Google Drive | Fast document-to-PDF scans | Scanning is built directly into the Drive Android app |
| Adobe Scan | OCR and polished PDF capture | Strong automatic capture, cleanup and Adobe PDF integration |
| Genius Scan | Multi-page scanning and organized batches | Focused scanner workflow with document organization |
| SwiftScan | Power users who scan frequently | Document detection, multi-page workflows and export options |
1. Microsoft OneDrive
Best for: Lens users who already use Microsoft 365.
OneDrive is the most natural replacement for people who used Lens mainly to turn paper into PDFs and store them in the Microsoft ecosystem. It keeps capture and cloud storage in one workflow, which is convenient for work and school accounts.
Watch for: It is cloud-first, so users who want a purely local scanner may prefer another option.
2. Google Drive
Best for: Fast document-to-PDF scans.
Google Drive can scan documents from Android and save them as PDFs without requiring a separate scanner app. It is a strong default for users who already use Drive and only need clean, searchable document capture.
Watch for: Advanced editing and document-management features are lighter than specialist scanner apps.
3. Adobe Scan
Best for: OCR and polished PDF capture.
Adobe Scan is designed around turning camera captures into readable PDFs. It is particularly useful when OCR and integration with Acrobat matter more than keeping the workflow minimal.
Watch for: Some higher-end PDF workflows are tied to Adobe services or paid Acrobat features.
4. Genius Scan
Best for: Multi-page scanning and organized batches.
Genius Scan is a good fit for users who regularly capture multi-page paperwork and want a scanner-first interface rather than a broad cloud-storage app.
Watch for: Some automation and export options may depend on the selected plan.
5. SwiftScan
Best for: Power users who scan frequently.
SwiftScan targets people who want a dedicated mobile scanner with more control over capture and export than the basic scanner built into a cloud drive.
Watch for: Check the current free-versus-premium feature split before choosing it for a long-term workflow.
How to choose
If you lived inside Microsoft Lens, start with OneDrive. If you only need a quick PDF scanner, Google Drive is simpler. For OCR-heavy work choose Adobe Scan; for frequent multi-page scanning, Genius Scan or SwiftScan are the more specialized options.
Privacy and permission check
A scanner app can see sensitive documents. Avoid granting unrelated permissions, review cloud-upload settings, and remember that OCR or sync features may send document data to a service provider. For confidential paperwork, check whether the specific workflow can stay on-device.
Related SSM Apps guides
For QR workflows, see our guide to scanning QR codes from screenshots. You can also compare broader choices in our Android app alternative guide.
Availability note
App availability, pricing, ads and premium features can change by country and over time. Use the official Google Play listing linked above to verify the current version before installing.
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