I constantly use the Notes app on my iPhone to jot down my thoughts and feelings. I tried the Journal app that Apple just released to give you a place to think back on your day, but it wasn’t for me. I prefer to utilize the Notes app, maybe because I’m simply so used to it already.

Journal is a flawless app; there is nothing wrong with it. My relatives and acquaintances utilize it on a regular basis. Simply put, I don’t want to keep a journal on my phone. I mean, you would think I could ignore the app? Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

I gave Journal a go once to see what all the excitement was about.

and didn’t use it ever again. However, because I had already used Journal, I unintentionally registered for Journaling Suggestions, as I occasionally do when I’m rushing through pop-ups to give something a try.

I now receive recommendations from the Journal app almost daily in the form of alerts, prompting me to think back on whatever I just did, be it a lengthy bike ride, a trip to the grocery store, or a doctor’s appointment. I gave it access to my location, contacts, pictures, and other information without really thinking about it, so it knows what I do.

Journal is aware of my activities, whereabouts, and companions. Since I don’t want to keep a journal, In addition to not wanting to receive any further alerts, I would prefer that Journal not have access to this sensitive information.

Thankfully, there is a simple method to ensure that Journal never bothers you again. I’ll walk you through the process of turning off Journaling Suggestions and turning off Journal alerts. What you should know is as follows.

While you’re here, see the top iPhone alternatives for 2024 as well as how to solve all of iOS 17’s most irksome features and settings.

You can prevent Journal from accessing your data if you don’t use it.
Ways to Quit Journaling Ideas derived from accessing your data
Journal provides you with recommendations based on your connections, media consumption, activities, images, and important places. Because Journal is sort of following what you’re doing, it can propose something to you if you go to work, take a picture at a restaurant, or spend some time in the park.

Additionally, Journal makes recommendations based on who is around. For example, if you’re with friends or family, Journal may utilise Bluetooth to identify who you’re with and notify you to include them in your writing.

Playing Now: My Takeaways from Using Apple’s Journal App 08:44
In addition to the bothersome alerts, you might not appreciate that the diary app gets access to all of this information if you don’t keep a diary. Furthermore, other journaling applications that make advantage of Apple’s Journaling Suggestions functionality may be able to access this private data.

Although Apple claims that all information gathered is handled in accordance with its Privacy Policy, which includes end-to-end encryption and other privacy safeguards, you may just prefer that Journal not have complete access to your data.

Go to Settings > Journal > Journaling Suggestions > Suggestion Privacy Settings, then choose Turn Off All at the top of the page to prevent Journal from accessing your information (and, therefore, alerts). You will be prompted with a pop-up to confirm that you wish to disable all journaling suggestions.

Suggestions for Journaling Privacy Settings
One setting could still remain toggled on, as you can see at the bottom. Turn off Discoverable by Others if you don’t want other people to find your phone or tag you in their own journal entries.
This will stop the app from notifying you and will also block Journal from accessing your data.

How to disable Journaling Suggestions notifications
You may still utilise Journaling Suggestions if you want to use it and don’t mind the app seeing your data, but you can disable alerts to avoid constantly being reminded to write down your feelings and ideas.

Toggle off Allow Notifications by going to Settings > Journal > Journaling Suggestions > Suggestion Notification Settings.\

Settings for Journaling Suggestions notifications

Allow Notifications may be turned off if you wish to totally disable notifications, but you can also set them up so that you only get notifications on your notification centre or lock screen rather than banners.

Note: By doing this, you just turn off notifications; Journal is still able to access your data and, if you open the Journal app, you will still get suggestions.