Tabi Shu Tutorials

Recognition Methods

Choosing a receipt recognition method

Tabi Shu can turn a receipt photo into an expense in three ways: Apple Intelligence, Apple Private Cloud Compute, and Cloud recognition, which runs on Tabi Shu's own servers. They differ in where the photo is processed, whether you need internet, and whether points are used.

At a Glance

The differences at a glance

Comparison of the three receipt recognition methods
Item Apple Intelligence Apple Private Cloud Compute Cloud recognition
Where it runs On your iPhone Apple's cloud Tabi Shu's cloud
Internet Not needed Needed Needed
Points No points used No points used, but Apple sets a daily limit Uses points each time. The menu in the app shows how many.
Requirements iOS 26 or later with Apple Intelligence on. Not every iPhone supports it. iOS 27 or later No device requirement
Receipt countries Japan and South Korea All supported countries except Egypt All countries Tabi Shu supports
Long receipts (several photos) Not available Not available Available. All photos are recognized together for one charge.

Whichever method you use, you'll see a confirmation screen first. Check the amounts and items before you save.

Which One

Which one should I use?

  • In Japan or South Korea, with a supported iPhone: start with Apple Intelligence. No internet, no points.
  • Want to save points, but Apple Intelligence doesn't support the country: choose Apple Private Cloud Compute.
  • Long receipt that needs several photos: use Cloud recognition.
  • Today's Apple Private Cloud Compute limit is used up, or your iPhone doesn't meet the requirements: use Cloud recognition.
The Choose Recognition Method menu. Free Recognition lists Apple Intelligence and Apple Private Cloud Compute. Cloud Recognition (Points) lists Cloud recognition. Remaining points and a Start Recognition button are at the bottom.

Three Methods

Good to know about each method

Apple Intelligence

  • Turn it on first in your iPhone's Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
  • Right after you turn it on, your iPhone may still be downloading what it needs. Connect to Wi‑Fi and a charger, then try again later.

Apple Private Cloud Compute

  • Apple sets a daily limit. When it's used up, the menu shows when it's expected to reset.

Cloud recognition

  • To see how many points you have left, go to Settings > AI Recognition > Recognition Points.
  • Apple's daily limit doesn't apply.

Your Photos

Where your receipt photos go

Where receipt photos go with each recognition method
Item Apple Intelligence Apple Private Cloud Compute Cloud recognition
Where the photo is sent It never leaves your iPhone Apple Private Cloud Compute Tabi Shu's servers, which pass it to an AI service provider for recognition
Goes through Tabi Shu's servers No No Yes

During recognition, your receipt photo leaves your iPhone only when you choose a cloud method. After recognition, Tabi Shu doesn't keep the photo, whichever method you use. To learn how Apple protects Private Cloud Compute data, see Apple's overview.

If a trip has Cloud Photo Backup turned on, its receipt photos are uploaded to and stored on Tabi Shu's servers so you can see them on your other devices. This applies whichever recognition method you use. The setting is off by default. The photos are used only so you can view them across devices, no one looks at them, and they are kept until they're deleted.

To delete receipt photos stored on Tabi Shu's servers, email support@lvshou.app with the User ID shown in Settings > About. For full details, see the Privacy Policy.

Default Method

Set a default method

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. In the AI Recognition section, tap Default Method.
  3. Choose a method. To pick each time, choose Ask each time.

If your choice isn't available at the moment, Tabi Shu switches to Apple Intelligence and the confirmation screen tells you why. If Apple Intelligence doesn't support the country, you'll be asked to choose again.

The Default Method settings screen with four options: Ask each time, Apple Intelligence (on-device), Apple Private Cloud Compute, and Cloud recognition

Troubleshooting

When a method isn't available

  • Apple Intelligence couldn't read the receipt: Tabi Shu switches to manual entry. Scan again, or choose another method next time.
  • Apple Private Cloud Compute is missing or can't be selected: your iPhone may be on a version earlier than iOS 27, you may be offline, or the receipt may be from Egypt.
  • Apple Private Cloud Compute limit used up: wait for it to reset, or use Apple Intelligence or Cloud recognition.
  • No methods are shown in the menu: connect to the internet, or enter the details manually.

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