How to add inventory items from a photo with AI

What AI item scanning does

Point your iPhone at something you own, and additem.to looks at the photo and pre-fills a new item for you: its name (with brand and model where it can read them), a category, a short description, the barcode if one is legible, plus values for the custom fields and tags you already use. It even suggests the best-matching item template. Everything opens in the normal item form so you can check it before saving - nothing is stored until you tap Save.

How to scan an item

1. Tap + on the Items screen and choose "Scan with AI". You'll need to be signed in to a free account, since scans are counted against your account.
2. Take a photo, or choose one from your library. A clear, well-lit shot of the item - and any label or model number - gives the best results.
3. Wait a few seconds. The photo is analysed and a set of suggestions comes back.
4. Review and edit. The suggestions fill in the standard item form. Fix anything that's off, add anything that's missing.
5. Save. The item is created with the photo attached - identical to one you'd add by hand.

The first time you scan, you'll be asked to agree to how it works (your photo is sent to OpenAI for analysis). That's a one-time confirmation.

How accurate is it?

AI scanning is strong at recognising branded products and reading text that's actually visible in the photo. It's deliberately cautious in two ways:

• It won't invent details it can't see. A serial or model number is only filled in when it's clearly legible; otherwise the field is left blank rather than guessed.
• You review everything before it's saved. The suggestions land in the editable item form, not straight into your inventory. It can occasionally misidentify an item or pick the wrong model - the review step is there exactly for that.

In other words, treat it as a fast first draft of an item, not a final answer. For most things - a labelled appliance, a boxed gadget, a book - the draft is close enough that you just glance over it and save.

It fills in your custom fields and templates too

AI scanning isn't limited to the built-in fields. The custom fields you've defined for that inventory are sent along with the scan, and the AI fills in any it can judge from the photo - a Colour, a Condition, a material. It also picks the item template that best fits the item, or leaves it as none when nothing fits, so a cat scratcher doesn't get filed as an appliance.

Update an item you already have

Scanning isn't just for adding new things. If an item is already in your inventory but missing details, or was imported from a spreadsheet without them, you can re-scan it. Point your camera at the item or its label and additem.to fills in the gaps, like a serial or model number, and flags any value that looks wrong. You review every change first and nothing is overwritten unless you say so, so it's a quick way to tidy up items you added in a hurry.

What happens to your photo

AI scanning is optional and only runs when you choose to scan. When you do:

• The photo is sent securely to OpenAI's API to generate the suggestions.
• OpenAI keeps the photo for up to 30 days to monitor for abuse, then deletes it, and does not use API data to train their models.
• additem.to does not store the photo for scanning - it's only saved if you choose to attach it to the item.

See our privacy policy for the full detail.

How many scans you get

A scan is one photo, whether or not the AI manages to identify the item.

• Free: 5 scans, to try it out.
• Pro Local: 40 scans a month.
• Pro Cloud: 200 scans a month.

Paid allowances refresh every month. See pricing for the full comparison.

Tips for better results

• Fill the frame with the item and avoid clutter behind it.
• Capture the label. If there's a model number, serial, or barcode, get it in shot - the AI only reads what it can see.
• Good light helps the camera and the AI both.
• Still quicker by hand for some things? Bulk or unbranded items (a box of screws) are often faster to type. Scanning shines on distinct, branded objects.