Log an Expense Faster: Siri, Shortcuts, the Share Sheet and Android Shortcuts
The expense you log is the one that took the fewest taps. Anything that needs three screens gets saved for tonight, and tonight it's forgotten.
So here are the quick routes into SpendSmart AI, with what each one needs. Some are free, some are Pro, and some need a connection. That's spelled out for each.
iPhone: say it to Siri
Open Settings in the app and go to Siri & Shortcuts. Then you can say:
- "Add an expense to SpendSmart AI"
- "Log an expense in SpendSmart AI"
- "New expense in SpendSmart AI"
Siri asks "What did you spend?", you answer, and the app opens with your words filled in, ready to confirm.
There are two phrases that don't open the app at all. "What is my safe to spend in SpendSmart AI" and "How is my budget in SpendSmart AI" are answered out loud from what the app last saved, with no connection. More on that in safe to spend.
iPhone: logging from the Shortcuts app
In the Shortcuts app there are two actions with no spoken phrase.
- Quick Log an Expense is free and uses no AI.
- Log a Card Payment can be run automatically when you pay with Apple Pay. The entry is filed under "Other" and the app opens each time, so you finish the details afterwards.
iPhone: a screenshot on a tap
Screen Log reads a screenshot, so it's the fastest way to log a receipt or a payment confirmation you're already looking at.
- In the Shortcuts app, make a shortcut that runs Take Screenshot, then Log a Screenshot.
- Name it "Screen Log".
- Under Accessibility, Touch, Back Tap, assign it to a double or triple tap. The Action Button works too, on phones that have one.
Screen Log is a Pro feature and needs a connection, because the image is read by the AI model.
Android: long-press the icon
Long-press the SpendSmart AI icon on your home screen. Two shortcuts appear:
- Speak an expense, which opens voice entry
- Log an expense, which opens the typing form
Android doesn't have Siri, Back Tap or Screen Log. The route there is to take a screenshot and use Share, below.
Both: share an image in
Share a screenshot or photo to SpendSmart AI from any app. On iPhone the share row is called "Add to SpendSmart", and on Android it's "SpendSmart AI". Only images work. Text, links and PDFs can't be shared in.
The image goes through receipt reading, so it's Pro and needs a connection. By default it's read and then thrown away. A switch labelled "Keep the capture with this entry" changes that, and it's off until you turn it on.
When it saves by itself
If the read is confident enough, the entry saves without you tapping anything, and you get an Undo. The conditions are: the amount is above zero, the currency matches your home currency, and the app is reasonably sure of what it read. A foreign-currency entry never saves itself, because you need to confirm what your bank charged. Anything less certain waits for you on the usual card.
What needs a connection
| Route | Free or Pro | Needs a connection |
|---|---|---|
| Siri add an expense | Free | Only if AI is used to read it |
| Quick Log | Free | No |
| Apple Pay log | Free | No |
| Siri safe to spend | Free | No |
| Screen Log | Pro | Yes |
| Share an image in | Pro | Yes |
| Voice from the Android icon | Free, within the monthly limit | Yes |
On the web there are no shortcuts. They're part of the mobile apps.
Frequently asked
Can I log without opening the app? Almost always the app opens so you can confirm. The exceptions are the two Siri answers about your budget, which are read aloud.
Does Back Tap work on Android? No. Back Tap and Screen Log are iPhone features.
Do these cost extra? Quick Log, Apple Pay logging and the Siri phrases are free. Reading an image, including Screen Log and sharing in, needs Pro.
If you want an expense logged before you've put the phone away, SpendSmart AI is free to start.