Getting Started
How do I record a journal entry?
Open the app and tap the microphone button on the Record tab. Speak naturally about your day — anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. Tap Stop when you're done. Your voice is transcribed on your device and analyzed by AI automatically.
Can I type instead of speaking?
Yes. On the Record tab, tap "Type instead" below the prompt card. This opens a text field where you can write your entry. It gets the same AI analysis as a voice entry. Great for quiet environments or when you can't speak.
What does the AI analysis show me?
After you record or type an entry, AI detects your mood (with a 1-10 score), identifies key moments, highlights what went well, notes what's on your mind, suggests action items, and writes a warm summary. This is for personal reflection — it's not medical or therapeutic advice.
Does it work offline?
Voice recording and transcription work completely offline. AI analysis requires an internet connection, but your entry is saved locally right away. When you're back online, you can tap "Retry Analysis" on any unanalyzed entry, or the app will retry automatically.
Privacy & Data
Is my data private?
Yes. Your journal entries are stored locally on your device using Apple's encrypted storage. Audio never leaves your phone — only the text transcript is sent for AI analysis, and nothing is stored on our servers. No account is required, and we have zero tracking.
Can I back up or export my journal?
Yes — all users (free and Pro) can export their journal from Settings > Export Journal. You can export in plain text, Markdown, or JSON. We recommend exporting regularly since entries are stored on your device only.
What happens if I lose my phone?
Since entries are stored locally, they can't be recovered from another device. That's why we encourage regular exports from Settings. If you have an iCloud backup of your phone, your entries will be included in the device restore.
How do I delete an entry?
In the Journal tab, swipe left on any entry and tap Delete. You'll be asked to confirm. The entry is permanently removed from your device. This can't be undone.
Subscription & Billing
What's included in the free plan?
Free users get 3 journal entries per week, full AI mood analysis on every entry, daily reminders, on-device transcription, and journal export. You see your remaining entries on the Record tab.
What does Pro unlock?
Pro gives you unlimited entries, mood trends and insights (7-day charts, mood calendar, recurring themes), weekly AI reflections, and priority support. Available as monthly ($2.99), yearly ($19.99), or lifetime ($49.99).
How do I cancel my subscription?
Open your iPhone Settings > tap your name at the top > Subscriptions > Voice Journal > Cancel Subscription. You'll keep access until the end of your current billing period. We don't make it hard to leave.
How do I restore my purchase?
Go to Settings in the app and tap "Restore Purchases." Your purchases are tied to your Apple ID and should restore automatically. If not, try signing out and back into your Apple ID, then reopen the app.
Can I get a refund?
All purchases are processed by Apple. To request a refund, visit
reportaproblem.apple.com and select the purchase. Apple handles all refund decisions.
Troubleshooting
The app can't access my microphone
Go to iPhone Settings > Voice Journal > toggle on Microphone and Speech Recognition. If you previously denied access, this is where to re-enable it. You can also use "Type instead" on the Record tab to journal without a microphone.
AI analysis is stuck or failed
This usually means you were offline when the entry was created. Open the entry from the Journal tab and tap "Retry Analysis." The app also retries automatically when you come back online. If the problem persists, check your internet connection and try again.
The transcription has errors
Tap on any entry in the Journal tab, then tap "Edit transcript" to fix mistakes. If you save an edited transcript, the AI will re-analyze it with your corrections. Speaking clearly in a quiet environment gives the best results.
My widget isn't showing data
Try removing and re-adding the widget. Make sure you've recorded at least one entry. Widget data updates after each entry is created, analyzed, or deleted. If the widget still shows blank data, try restarting your phone.
Something else is wrong
Email us at
support@voicejournal.site with a description of what's happening. Include your iOS version and what you were doing when the issue occurred. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.