Apple introduced the Journal app with iOS 17 on iPhone. Although Journal didn’t make it to the official iOS 17 release, it is now available to try with the iOS 17.2 update. Read along to learn the best tips to use Journal on iPhone. Before we start, let’s understand more about Journal on iPhone.
Table of Contents
What Is Journal on iPhone
As the name suggests, Journal lets you write down your journal entries with pictures, voice notes, location, and videos. The app offers several suggestions from your photo memories and reflection prompts for inspiration to get started.
Although there is no shortage of journal apps on the App Store, it’s good to see an official offering from Apple. It is feature-packed and integrates quite well with other apps like Photos and iCloud.
Get Journal on iPhone
Journal is available to use with the iOS 17.2 update. The software build is currently accessible in Developer Beta. Once Apple releases iOS 17.2 to all, use the steps below to install it.
1. Open Settings and scroll to General.
2. Select Software Update and install the latest iOS build on your iPhone.
Upon a successful reboot, the Journal app should appear on your home screen.
1. Create an Entry in Journal
The Journal app carries an easy-to-understand user interface. If you don’t want to deal with reflection prompts or suggestions, use the steps below to create a quick entry.
1. Launch Journal. Tap + at the bottom.
2. Tap New Entry. Write down your thoughts and tap Done.
2. Enable Journaling Suggestions or Use Reflections
Do you need some inspiration to start journaling regularly? You can check some of the suggestions to get started. Let’s explore them.
Launch Journal and hit +. Here are some of the inspiration prompts to get started.
- Add the location of your dream travel destination and write about what draws you to that place.
- Write about someone from your childhood you wish you could go back and thank.
- What’s your favorite music to listen to on a tough day? How does it make you feel?
You can always hit the refresh button beside such a reflection and get more ideas to write about. When you create an entry using one of the reflections, the app shows it as a small banner over your created entry.
3. Add Photos, Voice Notes, and Location to an Entry
Your journal entries aren’t limited to text only. You can add photos, voice notes, and more to create a mesmerizing note.
1. When you create a new entry in Journal, check the options below to add media and voice notes.
2. The first option shows your gallery photos. You can also use the built-in camera to add memories to an entry, voice notes, and location.
Your added entry shows a neat preview of added images.
4. Bookmark an Entry
When you develop a journaling habit, you may soon end up with hundreds of entries. Thankfully, you have the option to bookmark your important memories.
1. Launch Journal and tap the three-dot menu below an entry.
2. Select Bookmark. Check a small bookmark symbol beside an entry.
3. Tap the filters option at the top and select Bookmarked to check such entries.
5. Tweak Journaling Suggestions and Privacy
If you don’t want suggestions from Journal, make a tweak from the app settings.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to Journal.
2. Select Journaling Suggestions and tap Suggestion Privacy Settings.
3. Disable suggestions based on your media, location, contacts, and health activities.
6. Lock Journal
You may note down some private memories in the Journal. You can lock the Journal with Face ID and keep prying eyes away. Here’s how.
1. Head to Journal in iPhone Settings (check the steps above).
2. Tal Lock Journal.
3. Enable the Lock toggle. You can set the frequency, after which the app asks for a passcode.
7. Enable Journaling Schedule
You can set reminders to start journaling. Here’s how to enable and set a journaling schedule on iPhone.
1. Launch Settings and scroll to Journal.
2. Select Journaling Schedule.
3. Enable Schedule. Select a specific time and day.
8. Save Photos and Videos Taken in Journal to the Photos App
Do you prefer to take several photos and videos using the built-in camera in Journal? You can save these media files to the Photos app using the steps below.
1. Navigate to Journal in iOS Settings (check the steps above).
2. Enable the Save to Photos toggle.
Jot Down Your Thoughts in Style
Apple did a solid job with Journal on iPhone. However, it does miss out on useful features like calendar view, home screen and lock screen widgets, and more. We expect the company to add missing add-ons with future updates.
