How frequently do you encounter something thrilling in your mailbox these days? As much of our lives transition online, conventional mailboxes seem to be increasingly cluttered with bills and junk mail. Nevertheless, once in a while, you may receive a handwritten letter from someone you care about or a long-anticipated Amazon Prime delivery. While it can be tempting to set aside the bills, they won’t just vanish on their own.

That’s where the U.S. Postal Service’s Informed Delivery service proves useful. This convenient feature sends you black-and-white images of your incoming mail via email before it arrives, along with updates on USPS package deliveries. It’s a smart system—since all mail is scanned and sorted during processing, providing a preview to your inbox is an efficient way to keep you informed. With just a quick look at your email, you can determine whether visiting the mailbox is worthwhile that day.

Now, USPS is advancing its service by working on a dedicated Informed Delivery app for both Android and iOS platforms. Recent reports from DroidLife and 9to5Google indicate that the app is in beta testing, with a complete launch expected shortly.

Although the app was first introduced in 2024, changes in federal administration and evolving budget priorities have delayed its development. The USPS has encountered funding difficulties in recent years, especially during the Trump administration. However, the app seems to be ahead of the government’s typical schedule, given that the original plan aimed for a late 2024 release.

As per the initial announcement, the app will alert users when their daily Informed Delivery email is ready and offer real-time updates on package arrivals. Users will also have the ability to scan tracking numbers or barcodes to monitor the status of both incoming and outgoing shipments.

While the iOS beta is currently at capacity, Android users can still attempt to enroll in the beta test through this Google Group.

With the forthcoming app, managing your mail will be more straightforward than ever—no more unexpected finds in the mailbox.