App for iPhone
German official
letters, explained.
In plain language.
Photograph the letter – BriefLotse tells you what it is about, what it says, whether there is a deadline and what is asked of you. In English or German, read aloud if you like.
Runs on iOS 17 and later, including older iPhones. No subscription, no account.
How it works
- Take a photo of the letter or choose one
- Wait a moment – usually under a minute
- Read the explanation or have it read aloud
Four sections, always the same
Every explanation has the same structure. The deadline is shown large and in orange so it cannot be missed.
What is it about?
Who is writing, on what matter, with the file number.
What does it say?
The content in short, plain sentences. Technical terms are explained.
Is there a deadline?
The date from the letter, highlighted.
What does the letter ask of me?
Only what the letter itself requests: pay, send documents, attend an appointment.
What makes BriefLotse different
Nothing is stored
No account, no sign-up. The photo stays on your iPhone. Only the recognised text is sent encrypted for the explanation and discarded right after.
Read aloud included
Every explanation can be read aloud – on the device, offline, free. For everyone who understands better by listening.
Buy once, done
4,99 € with 20 letters. Need more? Buy a pack: 20 letters for 2,99 € or 60 for 6,99 €. No subscription.
English and German
The language applies to the app, the explanation and the voice. More languages are prepared.
Large type, clear icons
Dynamic Type up to the largest size, VoiceOver, little text in the controls – made for people who do not know German officialese or speak little German.
No ads, no tracking
No analytics, no third parties. What the app does is in the privacy policy – and it is technically true.
Not legal advice
BriefLotse explains what the letter says. It does not tell you what to do and does not replace advice. For decisions, contact a counselling centre – migration counselling, a social welfare association, the consumer advice centre – or a lawyer.
Explanations are generated automatically by a language model and may contain mistakes. If in doubt, the letter itself applies.
Contact
brieflotse@mabu-design.de. Questions, bugs, wishes: I answer myself, I am the developer.
How the app handles data is in the privacy policy.