Why it happens
Before saving anything, Swops checks that the photo really is a business card (or a badge). It refuses photos of other things, such as a flyer, a screen, a menu or a blurred shot, so you never pay for a contact made of nonsense.
When that happens you see That photo does not look like a business card. Nothing was charged. The scan is given back and the photo is deleted.
What to try
Take it again, closer. Fill most of the frame with the card, flat and in even light.
Avoid busy backgrounds. A plain counter works better than a patterned tablecloth or a hand full of brochures.
For badges, frame the printed name and company, not the whole lanyard. See Scan an event badge.
Still refused? Tap Enter manually and type the details. It is free. You can attach the photo to the contact without having it read: see Add a contact by hand.
Other messages you may see
| Message | What it means |
|---|---|
| The AI service did not respond. Nothing was charged; please try again. | The reading service had a hiccup. Tap Try this photo again. |
| HEIC photos cannot be read. Retake the photo with the in-app camera, or upload a JPEG, PNG or WebP. | Your browser could not convert a HEIC photo. Use Scan Card instead of uploading, or upload a JPEG. |
| Could not open the photo. Try a JPG or PNG. | Your browser could not open the file. Use Scan Card instead of uploading, or upload a JPEG or PNG. |
More in A scan did not work.