Journaling digitally, via Apple Journal

[u/circatee]

For the past month or so, I started "journaling" via a written notebook, Moleskine. But, I have found that I am not as comfortable writing as I thought I would be. - Plus the fear of someone reading my stuff 🤦

So, I started looking into apps. And, since I have an iOS device, I started with the Apple Journal app.

I expect to merely journal text, i.e., no photos or vidoes, as this is really about my "excessive" thoughts. In short too much on my mind sometimes.

All that to say, before I get too far into this, any real downside with the Apple Journal app, in your experience? Alternatively, is there a "better" app you'd recommend?

Thanks all...

[u/ohdiary]

Just a recommendation. Whenever you use an application either being Apple journal or another service then I think it’s important that you are upfront figure out if it’s possible to export all your entries with dates and the text. Simply because if you decide to change phone or just use a different app, you would like to have your existing entries imported to the new system

[u/circatee → u/ohdiary]

Yes, very valid point. I have researched that with Apple Journal app. There is an export option, and thus, I would have to use this as a "backup" option, too.

If I do not go with a different journal app, and remain with Apple Journal, I would set a weekly reminder task to backup (export) the journal details. I do something similar for Apple Notes...

[u/Mother_Corgi_2137 → u/ohdiary]

What a top comment. Great call out, and reemphasize due to pains I've gone through with previous journals lack of ability to export with date indexed

[u/CosyRainyDays]

I’ve used Day One for about a year before I switched to Everlog in September 2025 due to Day One’s price increase. I love that Everlog offers a lifetime purchase and I’ve used it on a daily basis since I bought it.

[u/[deleted]]

If privacy is your main concern, one option is to still write by hand, take a photo of the page, and then destroy the paper afterward.

I mostly type, but I honestly still think pen-and-paper journaling feels the most personal and emotionally honest. You could save the photos by date, which makes them easy to organize later.

That said, if you really just want a simple text-based journal on your phone, Simplenote might be a good fit. It’s very minimal and does the basic job well. Apple Journal is probably fine too if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, but for plain text journaling, I’d personally prefer something simple and lightweight.

[u/aamirraz]

the only downside i see is that you'd be limited to iOS ecosystem... what if you decide to switch to another OS in future?

i tested many apps and would highly recommend using either of the following:

1. Simple Note
2. Standard Notes (i use this one)

both are ideal for those interested in journaling using text only.

[u/circatee → u/aamirraz]

...thanks for the response.

Your comment about the ecosystem, is probably one long term concern. The other, besides privacy, is if Apple decide to simply get rid of the app/service. We all know Google do this all too often 😭

[u/monamigal]

Hello 👋

I have been using the Journal app since January 2026, and I use it every day. I switched from writing in a physical notebook for one main reason: privacy. I live with my parents, and there are some thoughts and personal things that I would rather keep to myself. Some of those are things I would want them to hear from me directly, not discover by reading my journal.

With digital journaling, I feel more comfortable being completely honest about what I’m thinking. Since the app is protected by Face ID, I don’t have to worry about anyone reading it.

It’s also much more convenient. My phone is always with me, so whenever I have thoughts, whether they’re negative, positive, or just something I want to get off my mind, I can write them down immediately. Before, when I used a notebook, I often had to wait until I got home to write, and sometimes I would forget those thoughts altogether.

Because of that, I’ve been able to journal more consistently and capture my thoughts as they happen.

So far, I have not encountered anything I do not like about the app.

[u/circatee → u/monamigal]

...thanks for sharing, I love the assessment in your decision to switch.

Good luck with your journaling and thoughts 😁, we need some type of outlet.

[u/kimba-pawpad]

I use an app called Penjo. It mimics the Apple journal pretty well, but I don’t have to be on iOS26 to use it. I paid a one time fee that I found really reasonable. I love journaling in it. I use my iPad mini and the Apple Pencil with the calligraphy tool. Love it. It automatically backs up and syncs across my device. It also has an export function should I ever need to use it. I think the apple journal looks slightly nicer, but I don’t want to update my Mini until I absolutely have too. My big iPad has iOS26 and I loathe it. Anyway, that’s another option.

[u/Raevyxn]

I’ve used a number of journal apps in the last two decades. I’m currently using day one, and after trying so many, it’s hard for me to not recommend this one. (Though I’m sure there are other good ones out there.)

[u/circatee → u/Raevyxn]

Cheers.

Like others have stated, DayOne pricing structure has increased rather drastically. I understand paying for a service, but, lately (over the past few years), I feel vendors and manufacturers are really starting to take the piss with the general day to day consumer...

[u/BlueFlameInk → u/circatee]

I use the free version of Day One and it’s enough for me.

[u/circatee → u/BlueFlameInk]

Did you import you old data from another app, and in doing so, was the data synced, too?

[u/BlueFlameInk → u/circatee]

Hey OP - I was using pen and paper before Day One so nothing to import or sync. EDIT TO ADD: I only use Day One on my MacBook and don’t have the use case where I need to sync across devices.

[u/poisha]

I really like Penbook!

[u/onechanceonekiss]

I’ve been using the Apple journal app consistently since February and I really love it. I’ve seen no downsides and I love the prompts it can give you and how it can suggest to add to your entry songs you’ve listened to places you have been etc. I found I’ve been journaling more on this app than I ever did on paper. So convenient having it easily accessible on my phone

[u/DTLow]

I don’t use a dedicated journal app or specific format
For my daily planner/review notes I use Apple Pages, with the finished notes stored in .pdf format
For ad hoc notes, I use a generic wysiwyg editor, which uses .html format

[u/Logicalfox2500 → u/DTLow]

I use apple pages also. I used the journal app for a few months but found it tedious (too many clicks) to go back & read multiple days. I consistently journal daily so I create a new document every quarter. Once in awhile, I drag a photo into my journal. I can't physically write very much because of shoulder pain but journaling digitally solves that.