Photos, voice, and AI

Last updated September 11, 2026

Grocer helps turn selected images and draft text into editable grocery items. Some tools work on your device; optional AI tools use Google Gemini through Grocer's Supabase backend.

You choose what to send

Find groceries sends selected photos for AI processing; some versions also send text recognized from them. Smart Organize sends your current draft text. Each asks for permission before its first use. Dictation audio stays on your device.

1. How Each Feature Works

Read text

Uses Apple's on-device text recognition to read an image. This path does not send the image to Google Gemini. Review the recognized text before saving items. Availability of this path is shown in the app.

Find groceries / Smart Scan

With Grocer Pro access, selected photos are sent to Grocer's Supabase processing service. Some versions also send text recognized from the photos. That service sends the image, recognized text, or both to Google Gemini to identify grocery items and quantities. Supported images include shopping lists, receipts, recipes, pantry shelves, and fridge photos.

Dictation

Microphone and speech-recognition permission let Grocer turn speech into an editable draft using on-device recognition. Audio is not sent to Grocer's backend or Gemini. Dictation requires a supported device and language and is available without Pro. You can edit and save the draft without using AI.

Smart Organize

With Grocer Pro access, you can choose Smart Organize to send your current draft text, including edits, through Grocer's Supabase processing service to Google Gemini. Gemini returns grocery items and quantities for your review. The AI request contains text, not audio. Smart Organize shares the AI usage allowance with Smart Scan.

2. Permission and Control

Before AI processing

Grocer identifies the recipient as Google's AI service (Google Gemini) and describes the data being sent in separate first-use prompts for Find groceries and Smart Organize. Choose Not Now to decline. Permission is remembered on that device for subsequent requests of that type. Selecting a photo or granting microphone access is separate from granting AI permission.

Keep using local tools

You can use manual lists and on-device dictation without submitting content to Gemini. Stop using Find groceries and Smart Organize to stop future AI submissions. Change camera, microphone, speech, or photo permissions in iPhone Settings. Contact grocer.support@gmail.com for help with consent or data requests.

3. Data Handling

What is saved

Grocer does not maintain a server-side AI content history of submitted images or draft text. We keep account-linked usage, request status, timing, and cost records to manage access, quotas, and reliability. Items you choose to save become ordinary list data and sync through Supabase when you are signed in.

Google's processing

We use the paid Gemini API. Under Google's paid-service terms, prompts and responses are not used to improve Google's products. Google's separate abuse-monitoring policy describes retention of prompts, context, and responses for 55 days and permits authorized review for policy enforcement and legal obligations. We do not promise immediate deletion from all provider systems. Read the Gemini API terms and abuse-monitoring policy.

No identity analysis

Grocer does not use these features for facial recognition, biometric profiling, or identity matching. Send only the photo or text needed for your grocery task; remove unrelated personal or sensitive details first.

Review the results

AI, speech recognition, and text recognition can miss items or produce incorrect names and quantities. Check the editable results before saving. Grocer is not a source of medical, allergy, nutrition, or food-safety advice; check original labels and authoritative information for those decisions.

Delete data

You can delete items and lists in the app. In Grocer 1.0.1, use Settings → Data & Account → Delete Account after signing in to remove your Grocer account and associated AI usage records. In older versions, find Delete Account in Settings. This does not instantly erase provider security logs or cancel your Apple subscription. Our Privacy Policy explains retention, sharing, and privacy requests.