How can we help?
Answers to common questions, plus direct contact if you need us.
Frequently asked questions
How does Budget Lens AI work offline?
Receipt scanning uses Apple Vision's on-device OCR. Categorization runs on Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro and newer on iOS 18.1+) or a built-in rule engine on older devices. You can scan, categorize, and review your budget with no internet connection.
Do you ever see my receipts or spending?
No. Receipt images, line items, totals, and categories never leave your iPhone unless you turn on iCloud Backup, which is end-to-end encrypted by Apple. We never operate a server that stores your financial data.
What's in the free tier vs Premium?
Free includes unlimited receipt scanning, on-device categorization, and basic monthly summaries. Premium ($4.99/mo or $39.99/yr with a 7-day free trial) adds advanced AI insights, multi-device iCloud sync, CSV export, unlimited groups, and price alerts.
Which iPhones are supported?
Budget Lens AI requires iOS 16.0 or later. Apple Intelligence features (smart categorization, natural-language insights) require iPhone 15 Pro or newer on iOS 18.1+. All other features work on iPhone 8 and newer.
How do I cancel my Premium subscription?
Open iOS Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and select Budget Lens AI. You can cancel anytime; your Premium access continues through the end of the billing period. We do not process cancellations directly — Apple manages all subscriptions.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds for subscriptions are handled by Apple. Go to reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, find the Budget Lens AI purchase, and request a refund. We do not have the ability to issue refunds directly.
What happens to my data if I delete the app?
All on-device data is removed when you delete the app. If you had iCloud Backup enabled, the encrypted backup remains in your iCloud for 30 days before Apple deletes it. If you had an account, you can delete it from within the app before uninstalling.
How do I export my data?
Go to Settings → Export → Monthly Report or Receipts CSV. The file is saved using the iOS Share Sheet so you can send it to yourself, save to Files, or email it. Premium subscribers can export the full history.
How does group expense splitting work?
Create a group, invite members with a shareable link, and add expenses as you go. Budget Lens AI tracks who owes whom and calculates the simplest settlement — like Splitwise, but with privacy-first sync and no ads.
Do I need an account?
No. You can use Budget Lens AI fully offline without an account. An account is only required for iCloud sync across devices and for group expense splitting.