How to Use the Journal App on iPhone

Journal is a free app from Apple that comes pre-installed on iPhones running iOS 17.2 or later. It's a private diary for your phone — a place to record your thoughts, save meaningful photos, log what you've been listening to, or write down how your day went.

What makes Journal different from a standard notes app is that it offers personalized suggestions. Based on what's already on your phone — recent photos, songs you've played, places you've visited, or workouts you've completed — Journal will suggest prompts to help you start writing. You're never forced to write about those suggestions. They're just there to spark ideas.

Every entry you write is stored privately on your device and backed up to iCloud, encrypted so only you can read it. Nobody else can see your journal, not even Apple.

You can add text, photos, voice recordings, and even your current location to each entry. There's also a "Reflection" section with thoughtful writing prompts for anyone who wants a bit of guided journaling.

Journaling has real benefits for mental health — writing down what's on your mind can reduce stress, improve memory, and help you process difficult feelings. Whether you want to write a paragraph a day or a full page, Journal meets you where you are. You can also set a reminder so your iPhone nudges you to journal at the same time each day.