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Receipt scan

Available onAndroidiOSWeb

Turn a receipt into a transaction without typing it. Take a photo of the receipt, or pick one you already have, and Receipt scan uses AI to read the merchant, the amount and the date, then suggest the account, category and payee. You check the details and confirm.

It reads more than classic paper receipts: invoices, handwritten notes and even a photo of the checkout screen work too, in many languages.

Android and iOS only

Receipt scanning is available in the Android and iOS apps. It isn't available on the web: scan your receipts on your phone and they appear in the same budget everywhere.

Scan a receipt​

  1. Tap Add in the bottom bar.

  2. On the Receipt scan row ("Convert receipts into transactions"), tap:

    • the camera icon (Take a photo) to photograph the receipt now, or
    • the photo icon (Choose a photo) to pick an image from your photos or files.
    The Receipt scan row in the Add menu, with the camera button (Take a photo) highlightedThe Receipt scan row in the Add menu, with the camera button (Take a photo) highlighted

    Tapping the row itself opens the scanner, where you tap Pick file to choose how to add the image.

    The Receipt scan screen with Pick file, and the number of receipts imported so far under the titleThe Receipt scan screen with Pick file, and the number of receipts imported so far under the title

  3. The app scans the image. Detected text is highlighted while the AI reads the receipt, which takes a few seconds. You need an internet connection.

  4. When it's done ("Boom! Receipt imported and ready to roll."), the Transaction reconciliation screen opens with what was found.

    Receipt scan after a scan: Boom! Receipt imported and ready to roll.Receipt scan after a scan: Boom! Receipt imported and ready to roll.

You can also start a scan while adding an expense: tap the scan icon at the top of the new transaction screen.

Android only

On Android you can also share an image to Beyond Budget from another app (such as your gallery) to scan it, or use the Receipt scan widget.

Check and confirm​

On Transaction reconciliation, review what the AI read: the merchant, amount, Type and Date.

  • From: the account you paid with. When the app found a match, it fills it in for you and marks it Auto-selected; otherwise pick one from Suggested accounts or choose another.
  • Category: the same: a match is filled in and marked Auto-selected; otherwise pick one from Suggested categories or choose another.
  • Payee: pick one from Suggested payees if you like.
From and Category on Transaction reconciliation, each filled in and marked Auto-selected, with Suggested accounts between themFrom and Category on Transaction reconciliation, each filled in and marked Auto-selected, with Suggested accounts between them

Fields marked Required (the app found no match for them) need a value before you can confirm. Tap View all transaction options for more fields. When everything is right, tap the checkmark at the top to add the transaction.

Transaction reconciliation for a grocery store receipt: Type, Date, From with Suggested accounts, Category with Suggested categories, and the checkmark at the top highlightedTransaction reconciliation for a grocery store receipt: Type, Date, From with Suggested accounts, Category with Suggested categories, and the checkmark at the top highlighted

If the receipt looks like a transaction you already have, the screen warns you that it might be a duplicate so you can compare it with the Similar transaction before confirming.

Transaction reconciliation warning that the receipt might be a duplicate, with View similar transaction and DeleteTransaction reconciliation warning that the receipt might be a duplicate, with View similar transaction and Delete

Scanned receipts you haven't confirmed yet wait under From receipts in Pending reconciliation, which you can open from the Budget health check on the Budget tab.

Pending reconciliation with the scanned receipt under From receipts, below the bank notificationsPending reconciliation with the scanned receipt under From receipts, below the bank notifications

When a scan doesn't work​

If the app can't find the information it needs, it says so and offers Try again. Retake the photo so that the receipt is clear and both the amount and the merchant name are visible. Good lighting and a flat receipt help.

Receipt scan saying it couldn't extract the information it needs from the image, with Try againReceipt scan saying it couldn't extract the information it needs from the image, with Try again

Free and Pro​

The scanner shows how many receipts you've imported. On the Free plan you can import up to 10 receipts; Pro unlocks unlimited receipt imports.

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