Good questions, straight answers.
Especially the ones about your data. If yours isn't here, ask us.
The basics
Is Arth free?
Yes. Arth is free during early access on Google Play, with no ads and nothing to sign up for.
Is there an iPhone version?
Not yet. Arth is Android only for now. We're looking for partners to take it to iOS.
Who makes Arth?
Arth is a personal project by Sourav Baid. It began as a replacement for an Excel sheet and grew from there. It isn't affiliated with any bank, broker or financial institution.
How do updates work?
Through Google Play, like any other app. Updates keep all your data. See what changed in each one.
Privacy and your data
Where is my data stored?
Only on your phone, in a database protected by Android's own encryption. There's no Arth account and no Arth server, so there's nothing to log in to and nothing to breach.
Why does Arth need SMS permission?
To read the transaction alerts your bank already sends you, so you don't have to type them in. It keeps only messages from banks and payment services and ignores personal ones.
It's optional. Without it, you can add transactions yourself, by voice, or import them from Excel.
Does Arth need the internet?
No. Everything works offline. It only goes online when you use a feature that has to: syncing a broker you've connected, and voice entry if your phone's speech service works online.
How does broker sync work without a server?
You create your own API key with Zerodha, Angel One or ZebPay, and Arth talks to the broker directly from your phone. Your keys are stored encrypted on the phone. The privacy policy has the details.
What if I lose or change my phone?
Make an encrypted backup in Settings, or schedule one. It's a single file locked with your password that you can keep anywhere. Restore it on the new phone and everything comes back, including the Vault.
Arth turns off Android's automatic cloud backup on purpose, so your data never leaves the phone unless you move it.
Is the Password Vault safe?
Vault entries are encrypted on the phone, sit behind the app lock (fingerprint, face or your phone's PIN), and travel only inside your encrypted backup. They're never included when you export data for an AI assistant.
Does Arth use AI on my data?
Not on its own. If you want an AI assistant's help, Arth makes a file you choose to share with Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. That assistant's own privacy policy then applies. Paste its reply back and nothing changes until you approve each suggestion.
Using Arth
Which banks does it understand?
SMS from 25+ Indian banks out of the box, including SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis and Kotak, plus wallets, EPFO and insurance messages. If your bank's format is new to Arth, teach it once with a Smart SMS Template.
Do I have to approve every transaction?
Yes, and that's deliberate: nothing counts until you've seen it. Catch Up makes it quick. Swipe right to approve, and when a merchant repeats it offers to approve the rest in one go. Smart Rules fill in categories for you.
Can I bring in my existing data?
Yes. Import from Excel takes expenses, credits, transfers and committed payments from one sheet, and skips rows already in Arth.
Does it follow the Indian financial year?
By default, April to March, for yearly plans, savings rate and year-on-year comparisons. You can change the start month in Settings.
Does Arth give financial advice?
No. Arth shows you your own numbers and points out patterns. The reports are for information, not advice. For decisions, speak to a qualified advisor.
Something isn't working. How do I tell you?
Use the contact page, or the early access group on Google Groups. Please don't send screenshots with real balances; describe the screen instead.
Ready to try it?
Free, Android, early access on Google Play.