At a Glance
- OCR runs locally on-device.
- Image/PDF files are not uploaded for analysis.
- Only extracted text is processed for explanation output.
- iCloud Recovery can store recovery archives in private iCloud.
- History supports search, import, and export.
Getting Started
1. What does ExplainThisDoc do?
The app extracts text from your documents and provides simplified explanations, action points, and date hints.
2. How can I analyze a document?
Open the Explain area and choose one of four options: import a document, open photos, scan with the camera, or enter/paste text. The app then analyzes the extracted text and shows the result.
3. Is this legal, tax, or financial advice?
No. Results are informational only and do not replace professional advice.
4. Where can I find the full legal and privacy texts?
See Privacy Policy, Legal Notices, and Imprint.
Privacy and Data Flow
5. Is OCR done on my device?
Yes. OCR (text extraction) is performed locally on your device.
6. Are my photos or PDFs uploaded to your server?
No. OCR runs locally on your device. Image files and PDF files are not sent to our servers for analysis.
7. What exactly is sent for analysis?
Only extracted text is sent to our backend and then processed by the selected AI provider to generate explanations. Supported providers currently include OpenAI, Mistral AI, and Qwen / Alibaba Cloud Model Studio.
8. Where is data processed and hosted?
Our backend infrastructure is hosted in the European Union (Germany). Text analysis may involve processing by the selected AI provider. Depending on the selected provider and endpoint, this can include processing outside the EEA, for example by OpenAI or Qwen / Alibaba Cloud Model Studio. Apple iCloud/CloudKit, App Store payments, and Cloudflare website delivery operate under their own infrastructure and terms.
9. Does iCloud Recovery store data?
If iCloud Recovery is available and not disabled, the app can store recovery archives for imported history and saved results in your private iCloud database via Apple CloudKit. These archives can include saved history, generated explanations, notes, locally stored document assets, previews, and note attachments. You can delete and disable iCloud Recovery in Settings.
10. What technical usage data is processed?
We process limited technical data such as IP address, pseudonymous device identifier, request timestamps, usage metrics, and credit/transaction identifiers for service operation, fraud prevention, rate limiting, and security.
11. Do you use ad tracking or sell personal data?
No. We do not use advertising tracking and we do not sell personal data.
Credits and Purchases
12. How do credits and payments work?
Some features use credits. Credits are purchased through Apple App Store in-app purchases. Apple handles payment processing and refunds under Apple's terms.
History and Data Controls
13. How do export/import and history filters work?
In Settings, use Data -> Export explanations to export your analyses as a JSON file and Data -> Import explanations to import them again (including duplicate handling). In History, you can search and filter entries (for example by tasks, dates, risks, location, source, and severity) and sort the list.