Count objects

Count objects counts things in a photo for you: pipes on a truck, boxes on a pallet, pills on a tray. AI puts a numbered dot on each one and gives you the total. It’s a Pro feature, and the photo goes to AI only after you allow it.

What it is

You take or choose a photo, optionally say what to count, and tap Count. You get:

the number and what was counted (for example “24 boxes”),
a numbered dot on each item in the photo, so you can check the count yourself,
how sure the AI is (High, Medium or Low confidence), and sometimes a short note.

You can then share the photo with its numbered dots. The count isn’t saved in your vault.

Counting uses AI, which runs on our AI provider’s servers, not on your iPhone.

When to use it

Stock-taking: boxes, bottles, rolls, pallets.
Building sites and workshops: pipes, bars, planks.
Checking a delivery against the delivery note.

For small numbers you can count at a glance, it’s quicker to count yourself. Always check the dots on anything that matters.

Step by step

Tap + at the bottom of the Vault.
Under Capture, tap Count objects.
Tap Take photo, or Choose from Photos.
Optional: under What to count (optional), type what you want counted, for example “pipes” or “boxes”. This helps when the photo has several kinds of things.
Tap Count.
The first time, a sheet titled AI counts this photo explains what happens (below). Tap Continue to go ahead, or Cancel. Turn on Don’t ask again for Count if you don’t want to see it each time.
Check the result. Then:
- Share: sends the photo with the numbered dots, and a line like “Paperwise counted 24 boxes.”
- Count again: counts the same photo again (for example with a different “What to count”).
- New photo: starts over.

You can also count the first page of a document you already have: open it and tap Ask → Count objects.

When you don’t see Count objects

Count objects is only on the Add sheet while the AI helper is on. The AI helper is off on new installs, and while it’s off the tile isn’t shown at all. Turn it on in Account → AI helper. See Turn on the AI helper.

Free and Pro

Count objects is Pro. On the Free plan the tile shows a Pro label and opens the plans screen. See Free and Pro.

Each count uses one of your AI actions. Pro includes 20 AI actions a day and 300 a month. See AI limits and usage.

Privacy

Nothing goes to AI until you allow it. The consent sheet tells you: “The photo is sent to our AI provider to count what’s in it. Our AI provider (OpenAI) doesn’t train on it, but may keep it for up to 30 days to check for abuse. It isn’t fully private while AI reads it.”
The photo goes to our server, which reduces it to 2000 pixels on its longest side and passes it to our AI provider. Our server handles it in memory and doesn’t store it after the answer. No user or install identifier is sent to the provider.
The numbered dots are drawn on your iPhone.
Don’t count photos you wouldn’t want to leave your phone. Hidden items and documents marked Never send to AI are never sent.

Tips

Shoot from straight above or straight in front, so items don’t hide behind each other.
Fill the frame with the things you’re counting, and leave out the rest.
Good light helps. Shadows between items can look like gaps.
A Low confidence result is a hint to check the dots or take a clearer photo.

What if…

What if the count is wrong?

Look at the dots to see what was missed or counted twice. Try typing what to count, or take a photo from a better angle, then tap Count again or New photo.

What if I see the plans screen instead of the camera?

Count objects needs Pro. See Subscribe, restore and cancel.

What if I’ve used all my AI actions?

Counting stops until your daily or monthly allowance resets. See AI limits and usage.

What if it can’t reach the server?

Counting needs an internet connection. Check your connection and tap Try again.