Free up app storage

Free up Microsoft Lens storage

Microsoft Lens is a scanner. Scans you save to OneDrive, OneNote, or Photos are copies in those apps. Items that remain only in Lens (or only in Gallery) are user files. Export cache is leftover after you already saved a PDF. Do not delete Gallery originals until you know a copy exists in OneDrive or Files.

See how much space Lens is using

iPhone

1. Open the iPhone Settings app.
2. Tap General > iPhone Storage.
3. Tap Microsoft Lens or Office Lens.

Android

1. Open your phone Settings > Apps.
2. Tap Microsoft Lens.
3. Tap Storage or Storage and cache.

Export, then remove local leftovers

1. Open a scan and save it to OneDrive, OneNote, or PDF in Files if you have not already.
2. Delete the Lens gallery item only after that save finishes.

Saving to Photos creates a second image in the Camera library. That is a user file in Photos, not Lens cache.

Clear Lens cache on Android

1. Open your phone Settings > Apps > Microsoft Lens.
2. Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
3. Tap Clear cache.

Do not tap Clear storage / Clear data unless you mean to reset Lens. Unsaved scans on this phone can be lost.

Reinstall the app if storage is still high

If you already cleaned media and Microsoft Lens still looks huge, a fresh install can clear leftover cache and temp files that are hard to reach by hand.

1. Save every scan you need to OneDrive, OneNote, or Files first. Lens is not a full locker. Unsaved captures live only on this phone.
2. Delete the app from your phone.
3. Restart your phone.
4. Install Microsoft Lens again from the App Store or Google Play.
5. Sign in and restore from backup if the app offers it.

This often frees a lot of space. You may need to download some media again after restore.

What to do next

After Microsoft Lens is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.

More app guides: Free up app storage.