What exactly does Paperwork do?

Paperwork helps you understand what your German mail says, what to do next, and where to file it. It reads documents in plain language, shows deadlines and action items, and suggests a folder name for physical or digital filing.

Is it just a scanner app?

No. Scanning is only the first step. Paperwork goes further by summarizing the content, highlighting key details (like payment amounts and due dates), generating action items, and helping you stay organized.

What kinds of documents can it handle?

Paperwork works best with the kinds of letters most people get in Germany:

• Amts letters

• Invoices and reminders (Mahnung)

• Contracts (rental, freelance, utilities)

• Tax notices

• Health insurance letters

• Banking and insurance correspondence

• Written confirmations or requests for documents

Can I use Paperwork for official communication?

Paperwork is for personal understanding and organization only. It helps you figure out what a letter says and what it wants from you. It does not replace legal or financial advice, and it does not send responses or emails on your behalf.

Do I need to create an account?

No. There is no login or account setup. You download the app and start scanning or importing letters right away.

Does Paperwork translate the letter?

Not exactly. It doesn’t give you a word-for-word translation, but rather a plain-English summary of what the letter means, why it matters, and what you may need to do.

Is everything stored on my phone?

Yes. Your documents stay on your device unless you manually delete them. We do not store your documents in the cloud or on a server.

Does it work offline?

Most features work offline. Some advanced features like AI summary require an internet connection to access the hosted model, but even that can be toggled off.

What happens to my data if I uninstall the app?

Everything is deleted with the app. We do not store anything on our side, so there’s nothing left behind.

How does the AI feature work?

When you enable AI summary, only the text from your scanned letter (not the image) is sent to a hosted model running on AWS in Europe. The response is used to generate a plain-language explanation and suggested next steps. The text is not stored or reused.

Is the AI feature required?

No. It’s optional. You can disable it in the settings at any time.

What does “Needs Action” mean in the document list?

Documents marked “Needs Action” have active reminders or incomplete tasks. It’s a way to help you prioritize what still needs your attention.

Can I use it for PDFs from email, not just paper letters?

Yes. You can scan physical mail using your camera or import PDFs and images from your phone’s file system or photo gallery.

Can I export or back up my documents?

Currently, documents stay on your device. We’re working on a secure local export feature that would allow you to back up metadata or summaries, without uploading documents to the cloud.

Will Paperwork remind me about deadlines?

Yes, if you’re on the Premium plan. You can add reminders to any document and get notified before deadlines.

What is included in the free version?

With the free version, you can scan or import documents, see summaries, get filing suggestions, and track your document list. Reminders and some advanced features are reserved for Premium.

How much does Premium cost?

You can subscribe monthly or yearly through your app store. Prices vary slightly by country and are shown clearly in the app. A free 7-day trial is included. Cancel anytime through your app store settings.

Is there a web version of Paperwork?

Not yet. Paperwork is currently mobile-only.

Can I use it if I don’t speak German?

Yes. Paperwork is designed to help non-native speakers make sense of German bureaucracy. It uses plain English to explain what your letter is about and why it matters.

Does it work with handwritten documents?

It depends. Paperwork is optimized for typed, printed documents. It may struggle with handwritten notes or forms unless the handwriting is very clear.

Can I trust this with sensitive documents?

Yes. Paperwork processes documents locally and privately. If you choose to enable AI summary, only minimal text is sent (not images or personal files), and it is not stored. You stay in control at all times.

Is this app legal advice?

No. Paperwork helps you understand and organize documents. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Subscriptions are managed through Apple or Google. You can cancel anytime via your device settings. We do not manage billing ourselves.

Can I suggest a feature or report a bug?

Yes, please. Send an email to paperandpaperapps@gmail.com — we read every message.