How to use Apple's new Journal app — a diary where you can make multimedia entries

Apple has released its Journal app. With easy-to-use features and the added draw of multimedia uploads, the Journal should appeal to inveterate documenters and may inspire a fresh bunch of memory makers. The Journal app is part of its recent iOS 17.2 update.

First announced during its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote in June, the Journal app is a diary-like app that allows users to write notes, essays, and other entries on their iPhone. The app is integrated deeply into iOS, which means that it can automatically include details of your day, such as workouts, music and podcasts you played on your iPhone, messages you sent, photos, and locations.

These are all called 'Journalling Suggestions,' and you can turn each one on or off. You can take suggestions or ignore them, but you still have to first tap the plus sign and then the New Entry button.

(Image: Apple)

To use the Journal app, open the app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign. You can either tap on New Entry or scroll through the suggested prompts under Recommended or Recent. Then either start writing or tap on one of the five controls above the keyboard. Optionally, tap the ellipses button at the top right.

The Journal app is very easy to use. To start a new entry, simply tap on the plus sign. After that, you can start typing your entry, or you can add photos, videos, or audio recordings. Once you’re finished with your entry, you can save it or publish it.

A great feature of the app is its ability to add photos, videos, and audio recordings to your entries. This makes it easy to create multimedia entries that capture your experiences and memories.

The Journal app also has a basic filter button that lets you see all entries, those that have photos, or have locations associated with them. At present, there’s no way to search the Journal every time you mention 'chocolate,' for instance.

However, there are some limitations to the app. Once you’ve tapped on Turn On Journaling Suggestions, it’s difficult to find your way back to that control. Apple wants you to have the fewest distractions in Journal so that you will write in it more often.

So after you’ve set it up the first time, Journal appears to forever hide those options. Instead, you are presented with only three things every time you open the app — Journal entries you’ve written, a basic filter button, and a big plus sign for starting a new entry.

The Journal app is a fresh way to keep track of your thoughts, experiences, and memories. It’s easy to use and has a few cool features that allow you to create long-term habits, keep your diary entries safe, and even give you prompts when you’re unsure what to write about. However, there are some limitations to the app, such as the difficulty in finding the Journaling Suggestions control after you’ve set it up the first time.