Inside Apple Journal - the most personal diary you'll ever have

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in iOS edited April 28

Imagine turning everyday experiences -- a photo, a song, a quiet moment -- into something worth remembering. With Apple's Journal app, you can do just that, but only on your iPhone.

Grid background with abstract shapes surrounding a central square icon featuring a stylized, colorful butterfly.
How to get the most out of Journal



Journal isn't just about capturing your thoughts. It's a personal memory tool designed to help you reflect on daily experiences, monitor your well-being and rediscover what matters most.

Introduced at WWDC 2023, the app became available with iOS 17.2 in December 2023. It integrates deeply with iOS, using on-device machine learning to generate private, personalized journaling suggestions.

Don't look for a Mac or iPad version, though. It's only on iPhone.

How to use the Journal app



Tap "New Entry" to start writing. You can begin from scratch or select a suggested moment pulled from your recent activity-- like a photo, podcast or location.

Two smartphone screens displaying a journaling app with podcast entries, daily reflections, cat photos, and mood logging options.
Journaling suggestions



Each suggested moment includes a related prompt, such as "What was the highlight of this walk?" or "Why did this song stick with you?"

These prompts make it easier to start journaling -- even when you're not sure what to say.

Key features of the Journal app



When you open Journal, a clean interface invites you to "Select a Moment and Write." You can start from a blank page or choose from suggestions based on your recent photos, workouts, music and locations.

Three smartphones with a journal entry interface, options to record audio, select emotions, and use the keyboard for writing.
Journal entries support locations, images, audio recordings, and health data



Entries aren't limited to text. You can attach multimedia elements such as:


  • Photos and videos from your library

  • Audio recordings of your voice or ambient sounds

  • Location pins to document where a moment occurred

  • Music and podcasts shared via the Share Sheet



The app also includes reflective prompts focused on well-being, like "What are you grateful for today?" or "What gave you energy this week?"

Real-world use cases


  • Students can reflect on lessons learned or track stress across semesters

  • Parents might capture memories with their kids or milestones at home

  • Travelers can combine photos, maps and reflections to document trips

  • People in therapy can use it for mood tracking or guided reflection between sessions



Whether you journal daily or just once in a while, the app makes it easy to build a meaningful habit.

Scheduling notifications



To support consistency, Journal lets you schedule personalized reminders. You can set daily or weekly notifications in the morning, evening or any time that fits your routine.

The app's settings also let you configure journaling streaks, turn off suggestions or remove the default title prompt when starting a new entry.

Organizing and managing entries



Entries are saved in a chronological timeline. You can scroll back to revisit earlier thoughts or filter by:


  • Entry type, like text, image or audio

  • Saved locations or websites

  • Bookmarked entries

Two journal app screenshots on smartphones, showing an entry with a group photo and map, and a menu with options like sort, insights, notifications, health access, lock journal, and print.
The main Journal view



Bookmarks are especially useful for quickly jumping to meaningful moments, whether that's a major life event or a small personal breakthrough.

Privacy and security



Apple emphasizes on-device intelligence, and Journal sticks to that model entirely. All content and suggestions are stored and processed locally. Nothing leaves your iPhone unless you back up the device through iCloud.

You can lock Journal with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode -- even if your phone is already unlocked. Entries are encrypted when the iPhone is locked.

Accessibility features



Journal works with Apple's accessibility tools:


  • VoiceOver reads entries and navigation aloud

  • Dynamic Type increases text size system-wide

  • Dictation lets you speak entries instead of typing



These features make journaling more accessible to users with a range of needs and preferences.

Deeper Apple Health integration



Journal syncs mood tracking entries with the Health app and automatically logs writing time as Mindful Minutes. This makes it easier to explore how your emotional and physical states relate. You can spot trends between:


  • Mood and sleep

  • Activity levels and energy

  • Days with journaling versus days without



The more often you journal, the more valuable these insights become over time.

The science of journaling



Research shows journaling supports emotional regulation, memory and stress resilience. A 2018 study published in JMIR Mental Health found that expressive writing reduced depressive symptoms among young adults.

Journal brings those benefits to more people by making reflective writing part of your phone routine.

Comparing Journal to other apps



While Journal is simple, private and deeply integrated with iOS, it isn't without competition.


  • Day One offers tags, multiple journals, templates and cross-device syncing, and now supports Apple's Journal Suggestions API.

  • Diarium supports calendar views, one-time purchase pricing and runs on more platforms.

  • Journey adds mood tracking and mental health check-ins but stores content in the cloud.



If privacy is your top concern, Journal is a strong choice. If you want complex organization or support across Mac and iPad, a third-party app may be a better fit for now.

Apple has also made its Journal Suggestions API available to third-party developers, allowing other apps to offer similar personalized prompts and activity-based entries.

Syncing and exporting your entries



You can export Journal entries as PDFs using the built-in Print function. Open an entry, tap the share icon, choose Print, and use the iOS print-to-PDF option to save or send the file.

You can also:


  • Copy entries into Notes or Pages for further editing

  • Back up entries securely via encrypted iCloud device backup

  • Mirror your iPhone screen to a Mac with macOS Sequoia for a larger workspace



There's currently no dedicated Journal app for iPad, Mac or Apple Watch. But these workarounds offer some flexibility until cross-platform support arrives.

Assuming it ever does. We've not heard any discussion about expanding the app off the iPhone.

Apple Journal is excellent, and where you want it to be



Apple's Journal app is a thoughtful and private way to reflect, record and revisit your life. It may not have every feature power users want, but for most iPhone owners, it offers a compelling mix of personalization, well-being support and emotional insight.

With Health integration, PDF export, daily prompts and third-party API access, Journal encourages you to pause, reflect and grow -- all from the palm of your hand.



Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    It is great that most people want to use that app, but I deleted it right away. At least you’re breaking it down for those who have an interest.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
     1Like 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 8
    I might use it if it was on macOS and/or iPadOS.  Absolutely no chance as iOS only.  Bizarre that Apple haven't expanded it.
    bhupeshnetroxwilliamlondonlotoneswatto_cobra
     4Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 8
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,294member
    I might use it if it was on macOS and/or iPadOS.  Absolutely no chance as iOS only.  Bizarre that Apple haven't expanded it.
    I use it almost every day, but I agree. It would make so much sense to have an app that you type in available on the iPad and Mac. 
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 8
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,294member
    You know what’s weird? If I click on the article I get a paragraph and then the “If you want to continue reading subscribe to the APPLE INSIDER newsletter” blurb. But if I click on the comments link, I get the whole article. LOL
    kiltedgreenwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 8
    netroxnetrox Posts: 1,560member
    I would definitely use it if it is available on my Mac. I ain't going to touch-type on a small screen. 




    williamlondonwatto_cobra
     1Like 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 8
    I might use it if it was on macOS and/or iPadOS.  Absolutely no chance as iOS only.  Bizarre that Apple haven't expanded it.
    Same here. I would love to use this app, but it’s impossible to respond the way I want to respond to the various prompts on my iPhone. The fact it hasn’t come to iPadOS yet is baffling.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 8
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,294member
    A few weeks ago I updated my iPhone, the old one is now on my nightstand. I make Journal entries on both, and I see all entries on both. I was under the impression that Journal entries were kept on device and because they couldn’t be synched, that was why they were not expanding it to the iPad or Mac. But no, they aren’t. Literally there is no reason they haven’t put it on the iPad at least. Let us run the iPhone app in expanded mode. 
    edited April 28
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 8
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,062administrator
    DAalseth said:
    You know what’s weird? If I click on the article I get a paragraph and then the “If you want to continue reading subscribe to the APPLE INSIDER newsletter” blurb. But if I click on the comments link, I get the whole article. LOL
    For now, this is operating as intended. We like you forum folks.

    We also release it in full without the newsletter bit the following week.
    edited April 28
    DAalsethlotones
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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