Scan receipts in good light
Use even lighting and avoid glare. Hold the receipt flat; thermal paper scans best when fresh before the print fades.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions, plus tips and solutions to problems you might run into. Can’t find what you need? Contact support.
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Tips & recommendations
Get the most out of Spend Sense with these practical habits and settings.
Set budgets at the start of the month
Define category limits as soon as a new month begins so you get accurate rollover and alerts from day one.
Match categories to your bank statements
If you import CSV from your bank, use category names that align with your statement (e.g. "Dining" vs "Restaurants") so exports stay consistent.
Export a CSV backup regularly
Even with iCloud sync, a monthly CSV export gives you a portable record for taxes or migration.
Use Vacation Tracking for trips
Create a trip budget in local currency so travel spending doesn’t mix with your main budget and closes when the trip ends.
Enable budget alerts
Turn on notifications for category limits so you’re reminded before you overspend, not only after.
Common problems & solutions
Quick fixes for issues that come up often. For step-by-step troubleshooting, see the full troubleshooting guide.
Receipt scan failed or misread amounts
Check lighting and avoid glare; hold the receipt flat. If the scan is partial, manually edit the transaction after saving. For thermal receipts, scan soon after printing.
iCloud sync not updating on another device
Ensure both devices are signed into the same Apple ID and have iCloud Drive enabled for the app. Check Settings → iCloud and wait a few minutes; sync can be delayed on first setup.
App feels slow or unresponsive
Restart the app and ensure you have enough free device storage. If you have years of data, try exporting a backup and optionally archiving old transactions to reduce load.
I forgot to log transactions for a few days
Use CSV import from your bank and map the date column so past transactions land on the correct days. You can also add transactions manually and set the date to the actual purchase date.
Category total doesn’t match what I expect
Confirm the date range (month vs custom) and that no transactions are uncategorized. Use the transaction list filtered by category to spot duplicates or mis-categorised entries.
Household member isn’t seeing shared budget updates
Both members need iCloud sync enabled and the same household invited. Have them force-quit and reopen the app; if it persists, remove and re-add the household member from Settings.