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A
adaminchicago
September 26, 2024
Solved

Why does the QuickBooks Online mobile receipt scanner struggle to detect borders and produce low-quality images, and how can I improve scan results?

  • September 26, 2024
  • 5 replies
  • 71 views
The iOS receipt scanner regularly detects borders improperly regardless of light conditions and a high contrast background.  Also, unlike some other mobile scan apps, the QB receipt scanner fails to do any kind of image touchup to make receipts cleaner/clearer.
    Best answer by sofiamdc-2341

    The QuickBooks Online mobile app uses optical character recognition (OCR) to scan and automatically categorize your receipts. If you're running into inconsistent image quality or having trouble with border detection, these handy steps can help get your scanner back on track.

    Keep your app updated

    Scanning performance usually gets better with every new release. Here is how you can make sure you are running the latest version on your iOS device:

    1. Open the App Store.
    2. Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
    3. Scroll to see pending updates. Tap Update next to QuickBooks Online, or tap Update All.

    Clear the app's cache

    Sometimes accumulated cache data can slow things down or cause unexpected performance glitches. You can clear it on iOS without losing any of your saved data:

    1. Go to Settings, then General.
    2. Select iPhone Storage, then tap QuickBooks Online.
    3. Tap Offload App. This frees up storage without deleting your documents or account data.

    After offloading the app, reinstall it from the App Store and sign back in.

    Uploading receipts from your phone's camera roll

    If the in-app scanner still isn't giving you a crisp, clean photo for a tricky receipt, try taking a picture using your phone's built-in camera app first. From there, you can upload the image directly to QuickBooks Online from your photo library, files, or even via email. This gives you complete control over image quality before importing.

     

    Do you have any other questions about managing your receipts in QuickBooks? Feel free to reach out, as we are always happy to help!

    Check Out:

    5 replies

    R
    RCVQuickBooks Team
    QuickBooks Team
    September 26, 2024

    We hear your concerns about this matter, Adam. Let me share information about capturing and uploading receipts from your mobile device.

     

    QuickBooks receipt scanner uses optical character recognition (OCR) technology to automatically organize and sort your receipts. To capture high-quality receipt images (either low-resolution black or white images), we'll need to ensure that your QuickBooks Online (QBO) app is in its latest version. Here's how: 

     

    1. Open the App Store.
    2. Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
    3. Scroll to see pending updates and release notes. Press Update next to an app to update only that app or hit Update All.

     

    If the same thing happens, we can clear the app's cache. Over time, the cache on your phone accumulates unnecessary data, causing the app to behave unexpectedly. Here's how: 

     

    1. Go to Settings and select General.
    2. Click iPhone Storage, then tap the QuickBooks Online (QBO) app.
    3. Hit Offload App to free up the storage without deleting its documents and data.

     

    After performing these steps, power cycle your device. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the app.

     

    Moreover, you can article so you can upload your receipts and review, add, or match receipts from your browser or mobile device: Upload your receipts to QuickBooks Online.

     

    Don't hesitate to reach us in the Community if you have further concerns about uploading your receipts or any QuickBooks related. We'll be here to assist you every step of the way. You have a good one.

    A
    adaminchicagoAuthor
    September 26, 2024

    Your reply contains some interesting information, but really did not address anything about what I posted. I do not have any issues with the OCR part of the process. My issues are with the image-taking itself.  The app constantly struggles to identify the edges of receipts regardless of the contrast of the background they are placed on or the lighting conditions. Most receipt snaps I take I have to manually adjust these boundaries. Additionally, there are so many scanning apps on the market for our devices, most of which have some process to better flatten and sharpen images taken with the phone camera to look more like scans. The receipt images taken through the QuickBooks app look like lousy photos. 

    For what it’s worth, I have indeed tried deleting the app and installing again as to clear its cache, and I also make sure I’m running the latest version

    C
    Candice14
    Level 8
    September 26, 2024

    Good morning, @adaminchicago. 

     

    I appreciate you coming back on this thread and expressing your concerns. 

     

    Since the issue is still occurring, I recommend contacting our Customer Support Team for further assistance. Here's how: 

     

    1. Go to the Help ? icon in the top right-hand corner. 
    2. Press the Contact Us button. 
    3. Enter you question and tap Let's talk. 
    4. Scroll down and choose to Get a callback. 

     

    It's that easy! 

     

    Pleas keep us updated on how the call goes. Have a wonderful day! 

    B
    BrookR
    March 16, 2025

    I came to say the same thing. Receipts captured are lacking in contrast but are strangely too bright matter the background. It is very frustrating as the snapped receipts are much harder to read than if I snap a regular photo and were to upload that way. It sucks because the whole point of the app is to save steps. QuickBooks, PLEASE improve the image capture parameters to fix this.  

    sofiamdc-2341
    sofiamdc-2341Community ManagerAnswer
    Community Manager
    August 19, 2026

    The QuickBooks Online mobile app uses optical character recognition (OCR) to scan and automatically categorize your receipts. If you're running into inconsistent image quality or having trouble with border detection, these handy steps can help get your scanner back on track.

    Keep your app updated

    Scanning performance usually gets better with every new release. Here is how you can make sure you are running the latest version on your iOS device:

    1. Open the App Store.
    2. Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
    3. Scroll to see pending updates. Tap Update next to QuickBooks Online, or tap Update All.

    Clear the app's cache

    Sometimes accumulated cache data can slow things down or cause unexpected performance glitches. You can clear it on iOS without losing any of your saved data:

    1. Go to Settings, then General.
    2. Select iPhone Storage, then tap QuickBooks Online.
    3. Tap Offload App. This frees up storage without deleting your documents or account data.

    After offloading the app, reinstall it from the App Store and sign back in.

    Uploading receipts from your phone's camera roll

    If the in-app scanner still isn't giving you a crisp, clean photo for a tricky receipt, try taking a picture using your phone's built-in camera app first. From there, you can upload the image directly to QuickBooks Online from your photo library, files, or even via email. This gives you complete control over image quality before importing.

     

    Do you have any other questions about managing your receipts in QuickBooks? Feel free to reach out, as we are always happy to help!

    Check Out:

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