Export and import your diary

Short answer: Go to Settings → Export and import → Export backup. You get one file with your entries, timestamps, your diary BFF’s replies, Sunday letters and your chats. You can add a password. Export is free.

What goes in the file

Every entry — the writing, timestamps, your diary BFF’s replies, Sunday letters and your chats — packed into one JSON file you keep. Use it to move to a new phone or to reinstall.

Adding a password

The password is optional. With a password, only someone who knows it can open the file. Lose it and the backup can’t be opened, so keep it somewhere you’ll find it.

Importing a backup

On a new phone, choose Import from a backup when the app opens. On a phone that already has the diary, go to Settings and look under Import a diary.

Moving in from Day One or Apple Journal

In Settings, under From another app:

• Day One: In Day One, open Settings, tap Export and choose JSON. Save the zip to Files, then choose it in Diary BFF.
• Apple Journal: In Journal, tap the More button and choose Export. On iOS 18, go to Settings, then Apps, Journal, Export All Journal Entries. Save the zip to Files, then choose it in Diary BFF. If it saved as a folder, long-press it in Files and choose Compress first.

Your entries come over, with their photos up to the limit shown on that screen.

Is export free?

Yes, as often as you like.

Something didn’t come over? Write to hello@diarybff.app. You don’t need to send the file. · All help · Diary BFF on the App Store