Deleted File Recovery

How to Recover Microsoft Lens Records After Reinstalling the App

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to recover scanned documents from Microsoft Lens after the application was uninstalled and reinstalled.

How to Recover Microsoft Lens Records After Reinstalling the App

Product: Microsoft Lens
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reinstalling the Microsoft Lens mobile application.
Observed behavior: Previously captured scans and records are missing because the app's local data cache was wiped during the uninstallation process.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for the exact Microsoft account (OneDrive/OneNote) that you were using before the app was uninstalled.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Export Destinations for Microsoft Lens Scans

Microsoft Lens temporarily stores unexported scans locally, but safely exported records can be retrieved from your connected cloud services or local gallery.

When you capture a document using Microsoft Lens, the app does not automatically push it to the cloud without user instruction. You must manually export the scan to a permanent location. If you performed an export before reinstalling, you can retrieve your files by checking those specific destinations.

Check Microsoft OneDrive

Open the OneDrive app or website, sign in with your Microsoft account, and navigate to Files > Documents > Office Lens. Check if your scanned PDFs or images are saved in this dedicated folder.

Review OneNote Notebooks

Launch OneNote on your device. Microsoft Lens often exports scans to the default 'Quick Notes' section or a specific notebook you selected. Browse your recent notes to locate the embedded scans.

Check Local Device Storage

Open your mobile device's default Gallery or Photos app. Look for an album named 'Office Lens' or check your main camera roll to see if the scans were saved directly to your phone's local storage.

Check Export Destinations for Microsoft Lens Scans

Unexported Scans Are Permanently Deleted: If you never manually exported or synchronized the records to any of these locations, they were stored exclusively in the app's temporary local cache. Unfortunately, uninstalling Microsoft Lens permanently deletes this local cache, making those specific unexported records unrecoverable.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Built-In Document Scanning and Cloud Sync

To prevent losing unexported scans from standalone scanner apps, switch to WPS Office. It features a powerful built-in document scanner that automatically converts physical documents into PDFs and securely syncs them to your WPS Cloud, ensuring you never lose a file even if you switch devices or reinstall the app.

1. Download WPS Office: Install the free WPS Office application on your mobile device.
2. Open the Scanner Tool: Tap the 'Scanner' icon located directly on the WPS Office home screen.
3. Scan and Sync Automatically: Capture your document. It will be converted to a PDF and safely synced to your WPS Cloud account instantly.

Built-in scanner with automatic edge detection and OCR technologyFree cloud storage for automatic backup of all scanned documentsFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and PDF

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover Microsoft Lens scans if I never exported them?

No. If your scans were not manually exported to your device gallery, OneDrive, or OneNote prior to uninstalling the app, they are permanently removed along with the application's temporary local data.

Where does Microsoft Lens save files by default?

Microsoft Lens initially holds scans temporarily within the app itself. When you save a capture, you must explicitly choose an export destination such as your phone's Photo Gallery, OneDrive, OneNote, Word, or PowerPoint.

How can I prevent losing my mobile scans in the future?

Always export important scans immediately after taking them. Select reliable cloud storage destinations like OneDrive or utilize an all-in-one suite like WPS Office that automatically backs up scanned documents to the cloud.

Migration & Recovery