Local-first journal
Your diary starts here.
Write in a private journal app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Your entries stay on your device, with optional Premium private iCloud sync.
Updated
What does local-first mean?
DiaryThreads saves your writing on your device. Write and read locally saved text and media offline. Premium private iCloud sync is optional; transferring content needs an internet connection and an available Apple Account.
At a glance
- Entries
- Saved locally on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Photos and video
- Complete app copies on iPhone and iPad; Photos originals remain yours
- Private iCloud sync
- Optional Premium sync for eligible diary data
- Voice recordings
- Saved inside the app
- Diary account
- None
- Developer diary server
- None
- Ads and tracking SDKs
- None
Write offline
Write an entry, add a reply, or read text and media already saved on this device, including offline. Media still waiting to download needs a connection.
On iPhone and iPad, new photos, videos, and Live Photos finish copying into the app before publication. Camera captures stay in the app by default; you can choose an extra Photos copy after publishing. Your Photos originals remain yours to manage.
Sync when you choose
Enable private iCloud sync with verified Premium to move eligible diary data through a private area of your Apple Account. Each device needs available iCloud access and an internet connection for transfers. Locally saved writing stays available while transfers are paused.
Keep the diary local or pause sync in Settings. DiaryThreads has no app account, developer diary server, advertising, or tracking SDK.
Keep a recovery plan
Recovery depends on your available app copies, device backups, and private iCloud content. Earlier Photos-linked attachments need a completed migration while their originals are readable; permission or a retry may be needed.
Recently Deleted offers free local recovery for 30 days, ending at permanent deletion or expiry. Before replacing a device or removing data, check your saved copies and exports.
A few things worth knowing
Can I choose to sync my entries through iCloud?
Verified Premium users can turn on private iCloud sync for eligible diary content in their own Apple Account. Turning sync off pauses transfer. Removing DiaryThreads’ private iCloud data preserves the diary already saved on your device.
Does local-first mean my Photos settings are changed?
Your Photos originals remain yours to manage. New app media is read from its complete app-owned copy. Extra Photos saves happen only through the optional setting or your explicit export action.
Can I use the app without an account?
Yes. DiaryThreads version 1.8 has no app account system.
Can I write and read my journal offline?
Yes. You can create entries and read text and media already saved on that device offline. Private iCloud sync and downloading media that is not yet stored locally require an internet connection.
DiaryThreads
A timeline of your own.
Write ordinary entries of any length, with no entry-count limit. Start on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
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