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    Journal User Guide
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    Table of Contents

    Journal User Guide

    • Welcome
    • Get started with Journal
    • Write in your journal
    • Edit or delete an entry
    • Add formatting, photos, and more
    • Build a journaling habit
    • View and search journal entries
    • Print and export entries
    • Protect your journal entries
    • Change Journal settings
    • Copyright and trademarks

    Write in your journal on Mac

    The Journal app makes it easy to capture your thoughts on everyday moments and special events.

    A screen in the Journal app showing photos and an entry in progress.

    Open Journal for me

    Create a journal entry

    1. Go to the Journal app on your Mac.

    2. Click the Add button at the top of the screen.

      If you don’t see the Add button, click Journal in the sidebar.

    3. Start writing or click the Add Drawing button to add a drawing. See Add a drawing.

    Use Writing Prompts while you write

    With Apple Intelligence, Journal can suggest customized writing prompts based on what you’ve written and any photos or drawings you’ve added to your entry. See Turn Writing Prompts on or off.

    Note: Apple Intelligence on macOS 27 is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.* You must be an adult to use this feature. See the Apple Support article If you’re asked to confirm that you’re an adult for more information on confirming your age.

    1. Go to the Journal app on your Mac.

    2. While composing an entry, click the Show Writing Prompts button in the toolbar.

    3. Scroll through the prompts, then click a prompt to add it to your entry. You can add up to three prompts to an entry.

    Create multiple journals

    1. Go to the Journal app on your Mac.

    2. Click the New Journal button in the sidebar above All Entries, name the new journal, then click Done.

    3. In the sidebar, you can reorder journals by dragging each one.

      To edit the journal name, color, or icon, Control-click the journal name, then choose Edit Journal.

    Start a journal entry from another app

    When you’re doing something in another app—such as listening to a song in the Music app or reading an article in the News app—you can quickly capture your thoughts in a new journal entry.

    Before you begin, turn on sharing for Journal. See Allow sharing from other apps.

    1. In the app you’re using, click