Help and questions

The image or text is sent encrypted to our server and to our AI provider Anthropic (Claude), only to create the explanation. We don’t store your letters. Anthropic does not use them for training and usually deletes them within 30 days at the latest. Saved deadlines stay on your iPhone only. Read more in our privacy policy.

Your letters and explanations are stored only on your phone, not with us. In the settings under “Backup” you save everything as one encrypted file with a password, for example in iCloud Drive or Google Drive. On the new phone you load the file again with the password. Without the password nobody can open the file, not even us.

No. You don’t need to sign up or give an e‑mail address.

The app checks every letter and message for fraud and misleading offers, and that is always free. You see a traffic light: “Probably a scam”, “Maybe a scam” or “Looks genuine”. Yellow with an orange border means: “Careful, possibly misleading”. Typical signs of fraud: pressure with a short deadline, money to an unknown account, a link to log in or pay, threats. If in doubt: pay nothing, open no link, and call the sender on a phone number you looked up yourself.

“My Post” holds all the letters you have had explained, with search and archive. A letter with a deadline or an amount stays at the top until you have dealt with it. Swipe a letter aside or tap “Done” when there is nothing left to do. “Paid” is only a note that the money has been transferred. Only “Done” removes the letter from the list.

The iPhone app is in the App Store. You will find the download button at the top of the home page. For Android, sign up there under “Let me know” and we will e‑mail you as soon as the app is on Google Play.

Yes. Letter Explained is coming for iPhone and Android. Under “Let me know” on the home page you can choose which phone you have. Android is expected in December.

Letters from authorities, landlords, banks or insurers, bills, reminders, contracts and forms, but also e‑mails, text messages and WhatsApp messages as screenshots. You can also simply paste text.

Usually yes. The app also reads handwriting and photos that are not perfect. It works best in good light, with the whole letter straight in the picture. If something can’t be read, just take a new photo.

Yes. With Plus or the family plan, tap “Read aloud” and hear the explanation in a natural voice, in almost all explanation languages. Without a subscription you can listen to an example.

Yes. In the settings under “App language” you choose one of the 12 languages. “Automatic” follows the language of your phone. You choose the language of the explanation separately on the start screen of the app. So the buttons can be in German and the explanation in Turkish.

An artificial intelligence: Claude by Anthropic. It reads the letter and explains it in plain language. AI can make mistakes, so the app shows important details such as deadlines and amounts in a way you can check against the original. For letter codes, a person at the sender of the letter has also checked the German explanation.

Yes, that can happen. The explanation is created by artificial intelligence. Always check important details such as dates, amounts and account numbers in the original letter. If you notice a mistake, write to us at hallo@briefverstanden.app. That helps us improve the app.

Yes. Under every explanation you will find “Another question?”. There you can ask, for example: “What happens if I don’t pay?” One question per letter is free. With Plus you can ask as often as you like.

No. The app explains letters and messages but does not replace legal advice. For appeals, cancellations, court matters or large amounts, an advice centre or a lawyer can help you.

The app does not replace personal advice. For important or difficult letters, advice centres can help, for example the consumer advice centre, migration advice or debt advice. If you have questions about the app, write to us at hallo@briefverstanden.app.

You get 1 free explanation to get started. Always free: scam and misleading-offer check, with filing in My Mail. If you need more: a single explanation for $0.99, a 10‑pack for $3.99, Plus for $3.99 a month or $17.99 a year, or Family for $4.99 a month or $34.99 per year.

On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top and then “Subscriptions”. There you can cancel Letter Explained Plus, at least 24 hours before it renews.

Up to 6 people can use Plus. You share it through “My Family” in the app or through Apple Family Sharing. Everyone uses the app on their own phone, iPhone or Android. The family plan is currently sold in the App Store.

No, the 10 explanations never expire. They are valid on the iPhone on which you bought the pack.

Not directly, but almost. If the letter contains an amount with bank details, the app shows a QR code for your banking app. There you choose “scan QR code” or “photo transfer”, and the recipient, amount and reference are already filled in. Check the details and confirm in your banking app. Your money never goes through us.