❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

How do I set up my account and start journaling? +
Download JournAI from the App Store and open the app. You'll be guided through a simple onboarding process where you can create an account with your email or use Apple Sign-In. Grant microphone permissions when prompted, then tap the record button to start your first voice journal entry. Your voice will be transcribed in real-time as you speak.
What should I talk about in my first journal entry? +
Start with whatever feels natural! You might describe your day, share how you're feeling, or reflect on something meaningful that happened. The AI works best when you speak naturally and conversationally. Some users like to begin with gratitude, daily highlights, or personal goals.
Do I need an internet connection to use JournAI? +
You need an internet connection for voice transcription and AI analysis features. However, you can still record your voice offline, and the app will process it when you're back online. Your journal entries are also cached locally for offline reading.
How long can my voice recordings be? +
Free users can record up to 5 minutes per entry, while Premium users can record up to 30 minutes per entry. Most users find 2-5 minutes perfect for daily reflection. You can always create multiple entries if you need more time.

Voice Recording & Transcription

The transcription isn't accurate - how can I improve it? +

📱 iOS Recording Tips

  • Find a quiet environment with minimal background noise
  • Hold your phone 6-8 inches from your mouth
  • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
  • Pause between sentences to help the AI process
  • Make sure your microphone isn't blocked by cases or fingers
  • Check that JournAI has microphone permissions in iOS Settings
The AI learns from your corrections, so edit any mistakes and the system will improve over time. Transcription accuracy is typically 95%+ in good conditions.
Can I edit the transcribed text? +
Yes! Tap any transcribed text to edit it. You can correct mistakes, add punctuation, or clarify your thoughts. The AI learns from your edits to improve future transcriptions. Your edits are saved automatically and sync across all your devices.
Why is my recording not starting? +
This is usually a microphone permission issue. Go to iPhone Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > JournAI and ensure it's enabled. Also check that Do Not Disturb isn't blocking app notifications, and try force-closing and reopening the app.
Can I record in different languages? +
Currently, JournAI supports English voice transcription and AI analysis. We're working on adding Spanish, French, German, and other major languages in future updates. You can manually type in other languages, but AI insights will be limited.

AI Insights & Analysis

How does the AI analyze my journal entries? +
Our AI analyzes patterns in your language, emotions, and topics over time. It identifies recurring themes, mood trends, stress triggers, positive patterns, and personal growth areas. The analysis becomes more accurate as you create more entries, typically showing meaningful insights after 5-10 journal entries.
When will I start seeing AI insights? +
Basic mood tracking appears immediately after your first entry. Deeper insights and patterns typically emerge after 5-7 journal entries. Weekly trend analysis becomes available after using the app for a full week, and monthly insights appear after 30 days of regular journaling.
Are the AI insights accurate? +
AI insights are designed to help you reflect and identify patterns, not provide medical or psychological diagnosis. They're based on language analysis and should be used as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth. If you're dealing with mental health concerns, please consult with a qualified professional.
Can I turn off certain types of AI analysis? +
Yes! Go to Settings > AI Insights and you can disable mood tracking, habit suggestions, or other analysis features. You can also set the AI to focus on specific areas like gratitude, goal progress, or emotional well-being based on your preferences.

Subscription Management

How do I start my 7-day free trial? +
Tap "Upgrade to Premium" in the app, select your preferred plan (monthly or annual), and confirm your purchase. You'll get 7 days of full Premium access at no charge. If you don't cancel before the trial ends, you'll be charged for your first billing period. Cancel anytime during the trial with no fees.
How do I cancel my subscription? +
Since all subscriptions are managed through Apple, follow these steps:

To cancel:
1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Tap your name at the top (Apple ID)
3. Tap "Subscriptions"
4. Find "JournAI" and tap it
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription"

Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period, and you'll keep all Premium features until then.
What happens to my data if I cancel Premium? +
All your journal entries, transcriptions, and basic insights remain accessible forever. You'll revert to the free plan limitations (30 transcriptions per month), but your existing data is never deleted. You can resubscribe anytime to regain full Premium features.
Can I restore my subscription on a new device? +
Yes! Log into JournAI with the same account, then go to Settings > Restore Purchases. This will sync your subscription status if you're logged into the same Apple ID used for the original purchase. Your journal data will also sync from iCloud.

Data & Privacy

How secure is my voice and journal data? +
Your data is protected with bank-level encryption both in transit and at rest. Voice recordings are processed securely and not stored permanently. Only transcribed text is saved to your account. All data is encrypted, and we never share personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
Can I export my journal entries? +
Premium users can export their journal entries in multiple formats including PDF, plain text, and JSON. Go to Settings > Export Data to download your complete journal history, insights, and mood tracking data. Free users can copy and paste individual entries.
How do I delete my account and all data? +
Go to Settings > Account > Delete Account. This will permanently remove your account and all associated journal entries, transcriptions, insights, and personal data. This action cannot be undone, so make sure to export any data you want to keep first.
Do you use my data to train AI models? +
No. Your personal journal entries are never used to train AI models or shared with third parties. We use OpenAI's secure transcription services, but your data is not used for their model training. Your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal thoughts are our top priority.

🛠️ Troubleshooting

🎤 App won't access microphone

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Go to iPhone Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone
  2. Find JournAI in the list and ensure it's enabled
  3. Force close JournAI and reopen it
  4. Try recording a test entry
  5. If still not working, restart your iPhone

☁️ Journal entries not syncing

Check these settings:

  1. Ensure you're connected to WiFi or cellular data
  2. Verify you're logged into the same account on all devices
  3. Go to Settings > Account > Sync Now to force sync
  4. Check iPhone Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > JournAI is enabled
  5. Try logging out and back into your account

📱 App crashes during recording

Common solutions:

  1. Update to the latest version of JournAI from App Store
  2. Restart your iPhone to clear memory
  3. Free up storage space (need at least 1GB available)
  4. Close other apps running in background
  5. If problem persists, delete and reinstall the app

🔍 Search not finding entries

Search optimization tips:

  1. Use specific keywords rather than full sentences
  2. Try different variations or synonyms
  3. Check that entries have finished processing (look for green checkmark)
  4. Premium users: Use advanced filters by date, mood, or tags
  5. Rebuild search index in Settings > Advanced > Rebuild Index

🤖 AI insights not appearing

Requirements for insights:

  1. Create at least 5 journal entries for basic patterns
  2. Ensure entries are substantial (50+ words work best)
  3. Wait 24 hours after journaling for processing
  4. Check Settings > AI Insights to ensure features are enabled
  5. Premium subscription required for advanced insights

💳 Subscription not recognized

Restore your purchase:

  1. Go to Settings > Account > Restore Purchases
  2. Ensure you're logged into the correct Apple ID
  3. Check iPhone Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases
  4. Verify subscription is active in iPhone Settings > Subscriptions
  5. Contact Apple Support if payment issues persist

⚖️ Free vs Premium Features

🎯 Feature Comparison

Understanding what's included in each plan to help you make the best choice for your journaling journey.

Feature
Free
Premium
Voice transcriptions per month
30
Unlimited
Recording length limit
5 minutes
30 minutes
Basic mood tracking
✓
✓
Cloud backup & sync
✓
✓
Simple search
✓
✓
Advanced AI insights
✗
✓
Detailed emotion analysis
✗
✓
Habit building recommendations
✗
✓
Smart search with filters
✗
✓
Export journal entries
✗
✓
Weekly/monthly insights reports
✗
✓
Priority support
✗
✓

Still Have Questions?

Download JournAI and start your voice journaling journey today with our 7-day free trial

📱 Download on App Store 🏠 Back to Home