Important:
- The Journal app works on Pixel 8 and later phones.
- AI features are available on Pixel 9 and later phones, except Pixel 9a.
You can document your thoughts, feelings, and daily life experiences on your Pixel device. The Journal app integrates with Photos, Maps, and health data to enrich your journal entries. You can:
- Create, edit, and delete journal entries.
- Use Gboard’s microphone to input a journal entry using speech-to-text capability.
- Easily find specific entries.
- Keep all of your saved journal entries in the cloud.
- Use the Journal app across devices.
- Manage all your journal content in one place.
The Journal app on your Pixel device is a personal journaling tool and it is not intended to be a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.
Learn how Journal handles your data
The Journal app keeps your entries and data safe.
- Your journal entries are private by default. The app processes content like writing inspirations and insights on your device to assist you with journaling.
- Important: While Journal processes data it receives only on-device, data entered via Gboard may be processed by Gboard on Google's servers before being sent to Journal depending on your settings. Be sure to check your Gboard settings and refer to Gboard Help for more information.
- You can choose to back up your journal entries to your Google Account. Google prioritizes the security of your backed-up and shared entries by using top security measures to keep your information safe.
- Google doesn’t sell your journal entries for ads or use them to target ads to you. The app doesn’t use your personal journal content to train generative AI models.
- You can change permissions for any other data the Journal app might have access to, like your photos, location, or Health Connect data. The app requests access only when needed for specific features you use and you can change these permissions anytime in settings.
Before you use your Journal app
The Journal app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance your journaling experience. AI isn’t perfect, and has limitations. For example, AI-generated insights and reflections are designed to inspire and help you explore your thoughts and feelings. However, the AI may not always be accurate, and the content may not always be relevant or helpful to your journal practice.
The Journal app isn’t a therapist nor a medical or mental health professional. It provides tools to help you document your thoughts and feelings. The AI features are designed to enhance the journaling experience and don’t replace human connection or professional assistance. Please seek help from a qualified professional if you are struggling with your mental health.
You can provide feedback on AI-generated content. Give a thumbs up or down and write comments on Journal prompts or reflections. Your feedback helps us refine the models to improve AI-generated content.
Use the Journal App
Important:
- To turn on AI features, you must be signed in to your Google Account.
- AI features are available:
- In English and Japanese.
- On Pixel 9 and later phones, except Pixel 9a.
With AI-features enabled you can:
- “Deep dive” while writing a journal entry to receive fresh inspiration on your current topic.
- “Revisit topics” to curate writing inspiration based on your prior entries.
- Complete a journal entry of 5 words or more to have the Journal app respond with a personalized Reflection for you.
- Let Mood ID select the most appropriate emoji for your entry, and find your mood trends over time on the Insights page.
- On your device, open the Journal app
.
- Tap Draft
.
- Write your journal entry.
- You can also add photos, video, and other data.
- To find writing prompts and inspiration, tap Reflect
.
- Tap Save.
.Tip: To customize your journal font style, tap Font & Color 
- On your device, open the Journal app
- Tap Entries
.
- To find an entry, tap Search
.
- To edit an existing entry:
- Tap on an entry.
- Make your changes.
- Tap Save.
- To delete an entry, tap on an entry
More
.
- To find an entry, tap Search
.
More 
- On your device, open the Journal app
- Tap your Profile picture
- On your device, open the Journal app
- Tap Insights
.
- You can view your goals, past history, and stats about your entries.
If you don’t want to use Journal’s AI capabilities anymore:
- Go to Journal Settings.
- Turn off AI Features.
- You can turn the AI Features back on in the future.
To change the permissions you’ve given to Journal during onboarding:
- Go to Journal Settings.
- Select Permissions. You can modify:
- Health Connect
- Location
- Notifications
- Photos and Videos
- Camera
- Microphone
Review considerations for users under 18 years old
Journal applies protective settings by default. However, it also allows unsupervised teens reasonable ability to choose how they experience the app. For example, privacy settings default to a high level of privacy.
For supervised users: You can’t link a Health Connect account to Journal.