SharePoint: OneDrive and SharePoint – recognize text in PDFs

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OneDrive mobile apps will gain built-in OCR to recognize text in scanned PDFs, making them editable and searchable. Rolling out worldwide from mid-December 2025 to late January 2026, the feature is enabled by default and requires no admin action. Users activate it by long-pressing a PDF page.

[Introduction]

Turn scanned PDF files into editable, searchable text using built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in the OneDrive mobile app. This feature helps users reuse information, speed up document workflows, and make content easier to find.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability for Worldwide, GCC, and GCCH: Rollout begins mid-December 2025 and is expected to complete by late January 2026.

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: All users of OneDrive mobile apps on iOS and Android.

What will happen:

  • Users can recognize text in scanned PDF files directly within the OneDrive mobile app.
  • The feature is enabled by default.
  • To use the feature:
    1. Open the OneDrive mobile app.
    2. Open the scanned PDF you want to make searchable.
    3. Long-press the page and select Recognize Text (on iOS) or Recognize text (on Android).
    4. After OCR completes, users will see the message: Text is now selectable.

    user settings

[What you can do to prepare:]

  • No action is required from admins.
  • Some users may see this feature before others as rollout progresses.
  • Communicate this change to helpdesk staff to assist users with the new functionality.
  • Update internal documentation if you provide guidance on OneDrive mobile features.

Learn more: We will update this post with new documentation when it becomes available. 

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.

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