The Five Minute Journal uses proven principles of positive psychology to make you happier in 5 minutes a day with the guided gratitude journaling format
“There are plenty of benefits to journaling, whether you take time to write out your full thoughts or just spend a few minutes jotting down the things you're most grateful for every day or lessons you've learned. Five Minute Journal for the iPhone makes this process easy enough to do on the go.” — Lifehacker
BENEFITS OF PRACTICING GRATITUDE
Cultivating gratitude can positively impact all areas of your life—from personal growth and emotional intelligence to meaningful relationships and enhanced productivity. A lot of thought leaders practice gratitude (including Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Tim Ferris, and many others), as studies have found it improves health, has lasting positive effects on the brain, and is a key to mental wellbeing.
Practicing gratitude with the Five Minute Journal app brings you a more positive outlook on life and ability to notice wonderful things and capture the life-changing experiences. The key is consistency. With its thoughtful features and a structure to help you focus on what’s good, you will find The Five Minute Journal app to be a great way to start and end your day.
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING
“Not only do I love the simplicity in the design, but the fact that it takes only a minute to update the entries means this is something I’ll actually use. This app really gets you thinking about the positive things right before you start your day.”
FIVE MINUTE JOURNAL APP FEATURES
– Beautiful, Intuitive Journaling Experience: The Five Minute Journal app has been designed to capture the physical Five Minute Journal experience. Getting around the app is a breeze and adding entries is easy with a guided flow for both your morning and evening entries.
– Easy Journal Entry Navigation: Quickly cycle through previous entries by scrolling your timeline or by tapping on a specific date in calendar view.
– Guided Journaling Flow & Prompts: A new guided process to help you get the most from your gratitude journal experience.
– Reminders: Set daily notifications to keep up with a rewarding journaling habit.
– Timeline View: Access previous journal entries and view short daily excerpts. Tapping an entry leads to a full day review.
– Daily Quotes & Weekly Challenges: Receive daily inspiring quotes and weekly challenges, and share them across social media.
– Passcode Protection: Keep all your journal entries private with secure passcode, Face ID or Touch ID protection.
– Dark Mode: Use your journal in either light or dark mode, which is especially great for late night journaling.
– Compatible With Any Device or platform: Use it on iPhone app, iPad app and Apple Watch companion app.
– Track your mindful minutes in the Apple Health app with our HealthKit integration
– Streaks: Track your personal progress and get insights on positive changes in your life.
– Backup/Export: Easily backup your entries and export your treasured memories and media to PDF, HTML, Dropbox, and more. You can select a date range or export all.
PREMIUM FEATURES
Five Minute Journal App offers an optional monthly or yearly subscriptions with free trials or lifetime license.
Here's what you get when you unlock the Premium:
– Photos and Video: Capture and view your magical moments with a daily photo or video. Attach media to any of your daily prompts.
– Personalized Practice: Create your own custom questions, tailored to your mood and goals.
– Space for Notes: Clear your thoughts and write freely in the new notes section.
– Mood tracker: Check in with yourself, express how you feel, and gain insights into how your emotions influence your days.
– Look Back Reminders: Get reminded of your memories with the “On this Day” feature.
– Timeline Photo View: See a photographic timeline view of all your daily photos.
– Widget: Add a thoughtful Five Minute Journal widget to your home screen.
5 Minute Journal: Self-Care Positive Reviews
Honestly the best and worth the money.You can't put a price on mental wellbeing. I've struggled with horrible depression and anxiety my entire life. Without getting too into it, my husband and I were struggling and even though I take medication that helps, I'm still miserable. I downloaded (6) different 'gratitude journal' apps and disliked them all for a few reasons. Paid for this one, I've only been using it for three days and I love it. It's easily worth the $5 several million times over; no subscription is really cool. The layout and UI makes it easy for even the most depressed folks (like me) to be able to complete this easily and quickly and actually feel better. To me, the little things make this more enjoyable as well. It's easy to type and then press "enter" and it goes to the next number, and it's easy to add a photo. I'd like to be able to add two photos per day but the app is so fantastic the way it is. I usually know within the same day of downloading if I will continue to use an app. This one, I will for sure. Thanks for making it. You're helping people. ♥️.KillerzeitVersion: 2.1.1
A great app backed by a great customer support and development team!This is a such a wonderful app and worth every penny! Not only is the app a convenient way to input and review your journal entries, but their team is there to support you in case a problem arises.
I recently reached out to their support team because I lost my entries after updating the app, but it ended up being user error (aka my fault). Patricia was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. She say my issue all the way through to a happy resolution.
Because I thought I lost my data, I created a new account and started fresh. After finding out my issue was due to a typo, I asked Patricia if there was a way to merge my accounts. After a day or two, she replied saying the developers were able to merge my accounts and I got both my previous and new journal entries combined into one account. I’m so happy I can continue using the Five Minute Journal app with the peace of mind that my data is there and if I have any additional problems, their team stands by their product!.The-Disco-NinjaVersion: 2.3.1
Beautiful, simple, effectiveNot only do I love the simplicity in the design, but the fact that it takes only a minute to update the entries means this is something I’ll actually use. This app really gets you thinking about the positive things right before you start your day. I recently started cognitive behavioral therapy and one thing I am working on is positive psychology (which I initially thought was super lame and a waste of time). But in just a few weeks, it has brought an awareness to me that has already had a huge impact on my life...this app takes similar concepts of positive psychology and makes it easy/doable to do every day. Sometimes all you need is a little encouragement and this does it.
I should also mention that I have downloaded probably 5-10 apps similar to this to compare, but this is by far the best one. Worth the few dollars for sure...also there is no monthly subscription or anything. I refuse to download apps that don’t have an option to just pay once and be done..Meowsers696969Version: 2.1
Thank you for making this wonderful, easy to use, timeless keepsake, and uplifting activityMy medical doctor could see I was in a rough situation. One of his prescriptions was that I purchase the Five-Minute Journal. He felt it would lessen the pain I was going through, and help me to look on the bright side of things. I went to a bookstore to find it, but they didn’t have it, so I bought a knock off of the five minute journal. It was OK, but it never did what this app is doing for me now.! I use it to center myself, to plan my day, to see the good, and to add momentos and quickly give a sketch of my life. One can easily download their journal entries to a PDF file and more. This app is so easy to use, and it can take very little time to make a daily contribution to a Journal. I love it so much, I’ve already given it to two other people. The price is so reasonable, and is bringing a lot of fun, joy, and comfort to others. Thank you for making such a wonderful app!.Nemrac OVersion: 2.4.2
UPDATE - they recovered my files!I reached out to the company after this surprise "upgrade" (aka massive money grab) because I could not access my account. After some malarkey about how I must have created another account (I didn't), they finally sent me a password reset link, only for me to hit the data transfer debacle. HOWEVER, as of this evening, I am in and can see my entries dating back to 2016. I have exported them to my email and now my computer. Chapter closed.
The only semi-positive thing I will say about this whole experience is this-if you email the developers, you will (eventually) get a response. You will have to keep at it, and they will relentlessly promote their brand in a way that feels incredibly tone deaf in light of all the trouble and heartache they have caused, but they did eventually fix everything.
Will I be keeping this app? Heck no. I'm not going to pay a subscription fee to create my own content only to have it go missing for a week. But I will give credit where credit is due- they at least got my information back..On y croitVersion: 3.0
Enjoyed for a long time, however…I really am thankful to have this app to record gratefulness! 😉I’ve never been able to enjoy journaling, but this app hits the spot. I even ask for family responses when they are around when recording my day.
The trouble started, as with most things tech, when things changed in the interface. I liked the previous version screen look better- this one is dark and the page doesn’t fit! I wonder if I can reduce the font of question prompt? It takes up the whole screen and I cannot focus wholly on my three entries.
Also, how do I add photos now? I did pay for a subscription so this should be a part of my use? I want to be able to go back and reflect on the days gone by sometimes… and a photo is a wonderful way to do this for me. My previous version photos imported, although in no particular order, but I cannot see how to insert or take a new photo. (My kids get more reflection on their past moments using Snapchat! Ugh!) if this is user error, forgive me. But help, please! Thanks so much!.Holz updateVersion: 3.1
Discover what really mattersHours in social media watching what you think others value and what you should value. That’s where we are now. Used daily as part of your routine, FMJ will accomplish two things. First, you will feel better if your life. There is no entry in the app for complaints or what what went wrong. Those things are still there- but you will be forced to find the positive every day. Second, over time, you will see themes start to emerge. Mainly these will reveal your values. You will probably find that things matter less than friends and family, and that the little things have a bigger impact on you than the big time social media moments that people post.
The layout of this app is simple and intuitive. The display and aggregation features allow reflections and self analysis that are easy to use like a collage of all of your photos and extracts of all of your entries. You’ll find themes that make you happy. It’s so simple yet so powerful..BhamerVersion: 2.1.1
Love itThis is the first time I’ve ever bothered to write a review for an app, but this one is so perfect and helpful I wanted to express my appreciation to the developers. It’s simple, easy, and makes a big difference. I love it.
I‘ve been including a “tomorrow’s goals” list in the “what could I have done better” section at the end of the day (so I don’t worry about trying to remember them overnight) - while I’d appreciate having a section for that, I think the fact that it isn’t very modifiable is one of the best things about the app - if it was left up to me, each section would be 50 lines, I’d stress out trying to remember everything, and it would take an hour to write each day. But it only takes a second to fill in 3-5 lines, and there is no stress, but the act of writing things down in an orderly fashion, every day, is very relaxing and it helps me get my responsibilities done more effectively..G1K0EVersion: 2.1.1
I use it dailyI’ve used this app for several years first thing in the morning and part of my bedtime routine. I find it easy to use, though some days I wish for more than 3 spaces to list my gratitudes for that particular day. I love the simplicity of the list and find myself expanding my writing of a gratitude with more detail and have never run out of space to more fully account something important to me.
I experienced a weird glitch that required me to sign in for the first time since I began using this app 3 years ago and panicked when I accidentally created new account and didn’t see my list of entries and photos. Once I figured out my actual sign all is back to normal.A friend who also uses the app had the same sign in request that day. The developer responded to my concern in a timely manner.
Thank you for an app that simply and powerfully keeps my gratitude practice alive..RevRMKVersion: 2.2.1
Used to love this appBeen using it top notch tool for several years-really made positive differences in my mood and my day ! Discovered today the “new improved “ version.” Really unhappy. Liked the old layout, structure, simplicity-was well crafted aesthetically, efficient, easy to reference & use/make changes as needed. This new version really really bugs me. TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED. Difficult to access all that I invested in and trusted I’d find easily accessible. Just unwieldly in several ways. And now they want $ for breaking what had been an excellent helpful uplifting tool. Tho I appreciated the free old version I’d prefer to pay for that than this. Thought was a really quality company. Now, not so much!💔☹️😢
PS hadn’t read the other reviews-now I see I’m not alone! Wondering if there can be 2 apps? The original (with or without subscription)& the new one separately with its bells & whistles requested by others!?! &all the stuff us tried & true original prefer to do without? Pretty please?😊.Grace fullVersion: 3.4.2
So glad I heard about this app!I’ve only had this app for about a week, but I’m really liking it! It’s great for journaling, goal setting and tracking, and practicing gratitude. The inspirational quotes and encouragement are an added bonus. I appreciate the reminders I get each morning and evening so I don’t forget to do it. (You can turn these off if your memory is better than mine and you don’t like them. 😆) I’ve only tried the free version so far, but this may end up being one of the few apps I’m willing to actually pay for.
This app really simplifies things and helps me overcome my “I don’t have time for that!” thoughts. If you’re like me and want to, but struggle to be regular with keeping a journal, would like reminders about daily (and longer term) goals, and like to practice gratitude give it a try!.StarblossomVersion: 3.1
SERIOUSLY CURING MEWhen you just drop everything, just drop the pride, drop the feeling of hopelessness for one moment, the stubbornness to continue being sad...and you just give these logs a chance, it really changes things. I won't detail my exact position, but I'm doing things everyday to just survive, and this was actually one of my first steps in truly dedicating my time and power into getting better and its has helped SOOOO much.
You start to see the details and the little or huge value in different things, start realizing what things are better than you thought, whether that be things around you or how you see yourself or other people...anything. The app is really helping me change my life !!!
also the one-time purchase is soooo tight !! Makes me feel like they really care c:.Sparky510Version: 2.1
Wonderful, life changingI’ve been using this app for only two weeks and it helps me tame my morning / evening anxiety. It’s been a rather rough couple of months, and I genuinely feel like this app has begun to change my life in the past 2 weeks. Every morning I wake up with anxiety (as I have for the past few months) and then before it can flare up I pull out this app to journal and write my daily affirmation - I’m strong, kind, smart, and I can do it! It completely changes my perspective on the day and even my confidence in myself, and it helps me keep a grip on my anxiety and self doubt. I also love the daily pictures function - it’s fun to look for something nice to take a picture of every day and I really enjoy looking back on entries to remind myself of fun times :) Thank you so much for this app!.EmilyD3409Version: 2.1
Gratitude for the 5 Minute JournalI am so happy and grateful for so much, and the 5 Minute Journal practice is very high on the list. Twice daily I remind myself to choose to feel Great! There wasn’t enough space in the hard copy journal to record all my gratitudes. I have learned to focus my daily intentions, but I didn’t have near enough space for my affirmations until I subscribed to online version. I love being able to add pictures from my daily saunters, and have them pop up to remind me of the changing seasons. That always makes me smile even more. I love the positive statements and quotes. The weekly challenges are fun and thought provoking. Among my daily gratitudes I am so happy and grateful for my abundant time and money freedom. Thank you!.Rim2uVersion: 3.3
Simple yet elegantQuick, easy, effective. The most brilliant products are often the simplest, and this one of them. This is an excellent solution for those who wish to journal but perhaps have neither the time, patience, or penmanship for traditional journaling. The morning & evening entries are all subtle exercises in positive thinking, designed to help you approach the day in a cheerfully motivated frame of mind & end it on a positive note. I was rather skeptical of this approach until I experienced positive results from it myself. Now I highly recommend this app without reservation and tip my hat to the makers. Well done! Thank you for adding the cloud syncing feature - I was able to import my journal entries from my previous phone and they have become a valuable time capsule of special memories..AdventuringNWScribeVersion: 2.1
Works well for meI’m not really a journaler. I have many apps that I’ve tried over the years, and while they are very robust, I’ve always been the weak link. I just don’t keep up with the journals.
This app narrows the focus to specific questions, and you can further reduce the scope in the settings to just morning or eve, and limit the questions at those times. I’m currently only answering the daily gratitude question (and only requiring myself to answer 1), and that’s really helped. I plan to add in more questions after I have some consistency and practice, but it’s been several weeks of daily entries, so we are headed the right direction. The interface is great and conducive to using the app-visually pleasing and simple. Works well for me..DiebunnydieVersion: 1.6
First and last appThis app has replaced social media as the first and last thing I look at on my phone and I couldn’t be happier. After 2 years of writing in the five-minute journal I transition to the app (a little nervous about another reason to look at my phone) but this app didn’t make me look more, it replaced unnecessary use of social media which ultimately doesn’t add value to my life. I love this app, I hope to use it forever! (Also, I was nervous that I would miss the physical, tactile journal but the app has so many great features that make up for it - the ability to add photos and notes to accompany my journal as well as the fun “good job” feature when you complete the entry!) LOVE..AMORnycVersion: 3.0.3
Perfect; well almost!The app is incredible and very easy to use. I needed something like this to get me to journal without feeling like it's a chore. And who likes to carry around a journal and try to keep it private? With this app its always with me and I can set a password to open it. I can take a pic which is incorporated into my journal entry and then prompts steer me to completion in less than 5 mins. The almost perfect...At this time I don't think the journal will switch/flip to landscape view when you turn your IPAD---so when I use my bluetooth keyboard which mounts my IPAD in landscape---the app will open but remain in a locked position which forces me to remove my IPAD and turn it so the home button is at the bottom..URDOC19Version: 1.6
Really good, a couple things could be betterThis app is a brilliant idea. In the past I used to journal long form, but I just don’t have the bandwidth for that right now. I’m in therapy and have often thought that journaling would be helpful. I get an insight, and I just want to write it down without making a big deal of it. So having a shored entry journal that prompt you seemed perfect. There are a couple things I wish that were different. First, although I allowed notifications, the reminders are not working for me. Second, I wish there was one more section available that was just labeled “Notes” or something. I don’t mind having the prompts, but maybe I want to write something that isn’t relevant to those prompts. It would be so easy just to add a freeform section..Foot settleVersion: 1.6.3
Best App!This app has been a game changer for me. Last year I tried to start a gratitude journal but just didn’t stick with it. While I was using it I really did feel better and had a different outlook on my life though so I wanted to try again and look for an app to help me. This app is so easy to use and keeps me focused. It’s a quick 5 min entry which sets my mind right in the morning and evening. I also quit posting anything on Facebook recently to maintain my privacy but I find posting photos on this app is a good substitute and while I don’t share my journal I still get to look back at my photo memories and remember special days. Thank you so much for making it. This is exactly what I needed!.SJP303Version: 2.0.2
Minimal time, meaningful impactI’m grateful to the dear friend who introduced me to this during a low time in my life. It has helped me start/end the day feeling more centered, reflective, and grateful. I love several things about it, chief among them: daily photo option; the fact that you don’t feel pressured to carve out a ton of time to check this off your to-do list; and that there’s (seemingly) no character limit for the text fields. I’ve kept my responses in the app brief, anyway, but the mere absence of a “character countdown” is refreshing.
Great work to the team who developed this resource and made it accessible by offering it at a very affordable price point. Thank you..Kimee81Version: 2.4
New life.I love this app. It helped me to become consistent with my gratitude daily. Before it was sporadic; me thinking about how thankful I was for my life. Now? I do it every single day. And, not only that, I now focus on what I want for my life and in my life. And I focus on things I can do daily to change my life. And it works. I get up every day happy and thankful. I go to bed with peace of mind knowing that all is well. FMJ helps me reflect on my day. It helps me accept the things I couldn’t control and to change the things that I can. No more worry. No more pain. No more fear of the future. FMJ keeps me grounded in this present moment. FMJ was the best thing that I’ve ever spent money on. THANK YOU!!!!!!.RedesignedVersion: 2.1
I used this for years on and off and always return to it.I started using this years ago when it was very rudimentary and I got the most out of the gallery feature. To scroll back and see my Imperfect photos that are just for me felt good. I updated it recently and it was a BIG change. I had a hard time migrating my contents and their customer support helped me (thank you!). Getting used to the robust features and enjoying it. I do wish that when I'm in Gallery and I click on a photo that I can see that journal entry too. I miss searching entries that way. Please bring that feature back AND include the YEAR. When I scroll gallery, I'd love to see the year on each image too. Thank you!.CJMammaVersion: 3.6.2
Loved this App until….The past few weeks it has been deleting my entries! I have sent a few emails to support and no response. I will either have to turn to paper and pen or find a more reliable app. I’m so disappointed because it was really my favorite thing and I recommended it to so many people.
Update: I did receive help and I was able to fix the problem moving forward. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to retrieve any of my previous entries from that time, but it’s been months now and I haven’t had the problem again. I’m back to loving it. Based on my experience I can’t give it 5 stars, but as long as it doesn’t delete my stuff, it’s the absolute best!.Dr.cleanseVersion: 3.6
For your health and...This action alone, of writing down what ur thankful for...what ur grateful for, could save ur life! It’s proven. I myself notice that I calm down from all that makes me anxious, but also notice that my anger and hate towards things that surface when life gets really hard, disappears. How can we harbor those terrible feelings when we are finding gratitude in our days? Yes, that’s the antidote for pain...try it! What a world we’d live in if everyone did this daily! We wouldn’t have to turn on the news to see the violence perpetrated by sad and lonely people perhaps if they could find peace. I know it might not be that simple. But I believe it is! Write your peace..Urbancountrygirl1Version: 1.6.3
Worth the moneyI’ve used Five Minute Journal for several years now. When they went to the paid version, I didn’t think I would need the extra features. In talking recently with the friend who introduced me, I decided to give it a try. Worth it!
As it’s not great for my mental health to spend much time on social media this allows me to have my own memory book. As I see pictures pop up and remember past moments it delights me. It doesn’t have me scrolling and comparing. Just remembering. I’m so glad I have this part of the app. Plus, I love the simplicity with room to write more. A great app that works well for me..Hess mamaVersion: 3.5.2
A Journal for Every DayI have repeatedly tried to keep a brief journal of positive affirmations of my day - both on paper and on my phone. I always have great intentions that seem to pass away after a few weeks. However, this app has solved that issue for me. It asks me a few specific questions every day that have really made me think about what is positive in my life, with the goal of continual improvement. Some days I write a lot, some days not so much, but I have stayed with it. After all, my phone is always with me and the app is easy to use. I've also started keeping the daily photo, which is a great feature..Allie101!!Version: 1.4.2
It’s almost perfect.For me, this is nearly the perfect journal app. Quick prompts that allow you to be grateful and mentally prepare for your day in the morning whilst also allowing you to reflect in the evening.
The picture a day is also something I greatly enjoy. I’ve found a habit in making it a point to take a picture each day of something that catches my interest or means something to me. How fun to be able to look back on your life with a picture a day and a constant reminder to be present in your daily life.
It’s been mentioned in so many reviews and it seems the developers don’t intend to add it... however, the only thing this app is missing to me is the option to freeform journal. Though I do understand that the journal is different, I dislike that I have to use a different app entirely to capture those thoughts. There must be some way to fit a free form option in the current user interface in an unobtrusive way. I would even happily pay .99 to 2.99 to unlock it as an added feature.
First time journal users, this is the one you’re looking for..Pig205Version: 2.1
No way to create your own promptsI decided to try this app because I wanted to focus on gratitude. This one had high reviews but I'm still not sure why this app needs to be $4.99. Aside from being able to upload a photo, there are no options to update the prompts or write in your own. As a result, it becomes a glorified excel sheet to house your thoughts. I think it should give you the opportunity to either swap phrasing on the main questions presented or give you the option to add one or two more personalized statements to track. For example, if you are in a relationship, you could you add something like: Were you your best self as a partner today? That way, whatever is also important to you gets tracked. Otherwise, I am enjoying the app..Giving Gratitude a TryVersion: 1.6.3
Amazing!Keeps you looking at the bright side of life and nourishes a growth mindset. I love getting to take a pic everyday. Keeps me looking all day for inspiration, or something about the world around me that brings me joy!.Anon_162793Version: 2.1
SelfieWould be great to be able to switch between front and rear cameras..IlyaspekhovVersion: 2.1.1
5 Minute Journal Changed My LifeI love this app. Although I truly just wanted to buy the hardcover journal, I couldn’t afford it at the time. I’ve had this app for 2+ years now. I try to use it mostly everyday, and when I don’t I know my day just isn’t right. It’s an easy app to use, just like a journal, each page is dedicated to a day, where it asks you simple questions of reflection. It provides reminders to fill it out and pictures that have become a collage of journal photos redecorates to each day. It also offers a daily quote that triggers inspiration, love and happiness. At one point I began to write down my thoughts and just followed the outline as it has an affect of changing your mood slightly more than just using the app. Get this as a gift for yourself and I would recommend gifting it to someone else who needs a little more light in their life..JlynpVersion: 2.1
Love it!Thought I would hate not having an actual journal, but I love it! I can actually write in it in the morning with no light in the room and my husband sleeping. It reminds me at 8 pm to write in it again (I would probably forget otherwise). The function to add a photo of the day is really fun too - I don’t always use it but it’s fun to add something interesting when the day has had something to photograph..Astan073Version: 1.6.3
Love itI love this app! Can’t wait for the laptop version!!!! Plzzzz 😁.ShoutanaVersion: 3.5
I wish it was available in macThe layout looks great, but I wish the app is also available in mac format. So accessibility is available in all platforms..Louiza VVersion: 3.6.3
Good but…I would love to switch to this app, but having been invested in Day One since 2013, I have to decline as there is no way to import another journal app into this one.
If you want people to come from other journal apps you have to offer an import feature.
I have thousands of entries and it make them all pointless to switch to this one..GPITMANVersion: 3.5.3
My life has been changedI am a Christian and I understand what gratitude is and how it works. I never trained myself to apply it to my life. I was introduced to this journal and it changed my life. I learned in small steps how to feel gratitude and what grace in action looks like. I use this app at least 4 times a week and times I run out of things to be grateful for. Then it forces me to dig deeper and I get there. I keep getting there and now the process of digging deeper is very familiar. I recommend this app to everyone..Richie P.Version: 3.4.2
Great customer serviceThank you to Patricia Huxtable for her amazing customer service. She helped me with the issue I was having with the app. and was quick with replying back to my emails.
For anyone who is having issues with getting replies back from customer service, it ended up being that the emails were being sent directly to my trash folder for some reason. So if you aren’t seeing replies in your inbox or junk folder, check your trash folder. It was also coming from “Intelligent Change” which I didn’t recognize as being the apps name..Elle est moiVersion: 3.1
Updated 5 Minute Journal - not as user-friendlyI used the 5 minute journal all the time and I loved it. Due to personal reasons I took a break. Yesterday I came back and I don’t like it.
I am having a hard time finding my way around it. I used to be able to insert 1 featured image every day. It is also very difficult to have the overview of the daily entries.
The daily entries used to be on one page. Now they are in layers. In my opinion, this update was not an improvement for the user.
I will have to find a different app for my gratitude journal.
Jeannette.JeannetteZVersion: 3.1.1
Successful data transferI’ve been using the 5 minute journal app for the past five years and really loving it. The customer service was very helpful in retrieving and transferring my data to the new version of the app! I am looking forward to trying the new features of the 5 minute journal. I would definitely recommend this app to everyone!
With gratitude 🙏🏼.ClaudiaG_01Version: 3.0.2
App is now a subscription serviceA couple of months ago I purchased the app as a one time purchase. It is now a subscription service and I’m extremely disappointed that my one time purchase isn’t credited towards the app. I’ve only been using it for a short while and enjoy using the app. But I feel like I’ve lost some money thinking it was going to be a one time purchase only..Amb05312021Version: 3.0.3
Love itLove this app. Total game changer! Well done ❤️.TwentysomethingyogiVersion: 3.0.2
Old version betterThe daily journal section is not nearly as nice to use. An upgrade so you can try to change a subscription. Is not a good upgrade of the platform is not as nice or easy to use.
Bring back at least the daily entry platform from older version.
Major fail..Every nickname isbtakenVersion: 3.0.2
Free International Money Transfer 💸Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 20 currencies while saving up to 90% over local banks! The cheap, fast way to send money abroad. Free transfer up to 500 USD!AdvertorialVersion: 3.6.39
5 Minute Journal: Self-Care Negative Reviews
Still DisappointedObjectively, the update is very nice. Considering the chaos of the unexpected and ill prepared update, the loss of access to my account for a week (experienced by many), and the removal of once included features now made premium by a subscription model…the update is pretty bad. I have been a user since 2016 and have adored this app, especially the feature of having a photo for each day. I have raved about it for years, even purchasing and gifting the app to friends. Without a doubt, before this update any review I left would be 5 stars. The developers should graciously show appreciation to longtime users, but currently they have not. In a similar situation years ago, a wellness app I cherished and had used since 2015 changed to a subscription model. In contrast, I opened the app to find I was automatically given a lifetime subscription as a token of appreciation. A page should be taken out of that book. $25 for a lifetime subscription as a longtime user I would consider, but what the current offer is…not so much. Once my one year free trial is expired I have no intention to pay monthly or yearly, even my almost 6 years of journaling could not convince me of that. In the meantime, I will be preparing to move to a different app or leave app based journaling completely. I’m so disheartened that the userbase is being treated this way because of greed by an app that is constructed around gratitude and mindfulness..JiAnne☼Version: 3.0
I did love this app but…Update: moved it from 1 stars to 2 because using it more it has slightly grown on me but I’m pretty sure I’m going to change to something else due to its his yearly cost. Hopefully someone provides the simple features and layout of the old app with either a one time fee like this old app was or a lifetime fee option unlike this one.
Ok, I really did love this app back with the old style but then it really changed everything with the recent update. First they added a subscription, now I’m not anti subscription model because you want to reward the developers for their time (and they did offer a 1 yr subscription to all previous owners of their non subscription app which is good) but $25 a year lol really I’m going to pass. A $5.99 or even maybe a $9.99 yearly amount makes sense but this app is not worth $25 a year for something you can do in the note app or other apps do for free one time fee. Finally the new layout is not as simple as the old model. It takes more time to do your journaling which is even more sad then the change to a subscription model. Someone is going to capitalize on their old simple model and offer a one time or lifetime subscription option or a yearly $5 subscription option and will steal consumers from them. I’ll keep it maybe about month to see if I can get use to it but will probably not since I’m not paying $25 a year for this app..BleedmaizenblueVersion: 3.0.3
Was the best... but my journal is held hostageUPDATE: figured out my password, which was great since password reset wasn’t working. Updated again, got my journal back. New format is not great. Feeling negative thoughts towards the people that apparently asked for upgrades and changes to a free product. It was really great the way it was and I hope somebody else copies that format.
Prior: In an effort to monetize their product, without warning, they made it impossible for folks to get to their journals - albeit perhaps temporarily. I am now two weeks waiting for their very busy development team to address the fact that I think I’ve lost two years worth of journaling to an upgrade that I would’ve happily paid for - were I able to even access the account I’ve been toiling away at all this time. Somehow I have no idea which email address is affiliated with the account even though I have logged into it before. When I tried logging in and using the password reset, it failed out.
It’s been a really helpful and meaningful tool, but losing all of those memories, pictures, and thoughts has been really sucky. I hope they “find my account” so I can at least download my journal. After making a true habit and ensuring I had an update for every day through two super difficult years, it’s super lame to have these weeks be blank. I’ve converted to the notes app and you know what - it’s not so bad..Lindsay b rnVersion: 3.0.2
Do not update. So disappointed with V3I am so disappointed with this new update. I should have read reviews prior to getting this version but I caught a glimpse of this update on Alex’s ig story last week and was excited to try. I have used this app religiously for almost 2 years and can honestly say I enjoyed the simplicity of the app. It got the job done and I didn’t think it needed anything extra.
Overall, I am really upset that they didn’t really think about the existing’s customer’s experience when migrating to this version. When I tried to login with my credentials it wouldn’t let me log in. I kept getting an error message that my email didn’t exist in their system. When I finally did login, none of my entries were there. I actually had to log out and log back in a few times to even get the message about getting 1 year free to pop up (which is still unfair to existing users - we should have been grandfathered in to basically get the same exact features). I should also add that I actually can’t even use the premium features on the app despite the message popping up. I have been in touch with customer support but I am really frustrated with how long this is taking. Would not recommend this version to anyone looking to get it!! Way too glitchy and needs a lot of work..ClaudiasReviewsVersion: 3.0
New version is way worseLoved this app. The new updates and the pricing structure change mean I’m deleting the app and going elsewhere. It’s gone from simple, quick, easy to use and is now bloated, ugly and more complicated. 5 Minute Journal is no longer that. 1. The disaster of the update from a user account and data loss perspective was a complete train wreck. Sure, they’ve “posted” fixes now, but many of us struggled for days. And then the account update took days. Ridiculous. 2. The new UI is way worse. It’s less intuitive, more bloated and uglier. The old one was clean and simple. Made it so easy and quick to use. This…enough for me to quit using the app. 3. The new icon is hideous. Color is way too bright, and the overall design is poor. 5 minute Journal - simple, clean, easy. New UI. Not that way. New Icon…a vomit of complex lines and bright yellow colors. No. But hopefully they add the option to change it as that is easy and standard in many apps. 4. Subscription model switch — I don’t like it. No one does. I get they want $$. They claim to have added new better features, but not really. And nothing 99% of us want. 5. The “free year” is mostly in hopes that you will take it, then forget about it so they can get your renewal fee next year. Pass..AjrunrVersion: 3.0.2
Not what I expected but probably what I need*Updated* with the new upgrade I have lost everything, several years of journaling without warning. What a breach of trust! I contacted customer service which sent me an email that said nothing was lost but still have been unable to access anything. I love having access on my phone but I have to re-evaluate whether I can trust any app with journal entries again.
I liked that this app has prompts but didn’t anticipate that it didn’t have just a free area for writing random thoughts. But I have ended up liking the prompts. Two things I would change: I would enable the program to show me a list of just affirmations I have collected. Also give me a choice of which answer to show on the timeline. And yes, I would add a section to record additional unprompted thoughts. As it is, I’m using two apps for journaling instead of one.
Update: The more I have used this app the more amazing it seems. It is so much easier now to be in a thankful positive frame of mind. It is incredibly easy to use and that makes it easier to use consistently. I STILL with there was an option to see my list of affirmations on their own to see what I’ve said about myself over time..S79015Version: 3.0
Account Data Transfer in ProgressMy ritual for this point in my day, I would be doing my morning entry in my 5 Min Journal. Instead I am leaving a review.
I love the five minute journal! I have been using it for years, both the book and the app. A month or two ago when intelligent change requested a survey of how they might improve the five minute journal I spent time offering constructive feedback. I did not imagine that this update would be forced (I did not choose the app update, I saw that the app icon had changed and opened it to find that I could no longer access my account, my entries, my photos) or that the changes would be motivated by increasing their revenue. I paid for a previous version of the app and was pleased with the functions that it offered.
My frustration is compounded because at this point when I open the app the only message I receive is ‘account data transfer in progress’. I am unable to add any new entries.
What makes all of this feel ugly is that the change seems to be motivated by money. I feel a loss of gratitude. I feel the need to find a new resource. Which is disappointing since I buy cases of the book version of the journal to provide to clients..ZimTamVersion: 3.0
Lost all entries after new updateThis is a review for the new update. I checked the email I was signed in with in the app as the update said existing users will be logged out. I didn’t care to take any backup as the update info didn’t talk about that. I used google login for the same email (as I usually do google sign ups when available) and now account says total entries 1
Maybe I had signed up directly with the email and not google login. But usually the other apps just link the direct email account with the google login account or they give an error. I haven’t lost access to my direct email account so far with other apps or websites. So this is just sad :(
UPDATE:
Pro: Should have looked at reviews before updating. Deleted the google login account and now I have my entries back
Con: Also realized that I will be loosing access to some features I already paid for in the previous version and thought will have them for life as they now fall in the premium bucket.
My feeling about the update:
New features falling in premium bucket, makes total sense. Existing features becoming premium, what were you thinking! I already paid for them years ago, when you advertised to me $x is the price to have that version of the app forever.
I’m not paying monthly for something that I already paid for, so no to buying subscription to have previously existing features. Will I be looking for another app or way to journal, most likely..Samriti KVersion: 3.0.2
Really missing the previous designWhy break a good thing? Bought the app two years ago and been using it since. I used to have the paper version. The previous app design prior to June 2021 was so elegant, intuitive, clean and inviting. The result of submitting entries and photos was appealing and in flow. Everything about the previous was just right. The current version is unfortunately the exact opposite. It is out of touch, busy, not elegant and just messy to look at and messier to use. You have to go through all steps instead of writing where you want. Also so long the new list of three. and gone in the nice notebook like aesthetics. Hope you enjoy looking at a bright tangerine first thing when you reach for your phone in the morning and last thing before you put your phone away to go to sleep. The lust goes on and on.
It seems that to justify an annual $25 subscription they had to add a bunch of unnecessary features, hence taking away the app’s very appeal as “5 minute journal”. Now it is just.. “messy journal”.
Here wishing and praying the design team will have the humility to bring the clean old design back, but highly doubting this could happen.
I took the time to write this review because I love this app, or at least used to. Turned many people to it. Now finding myself looking for an alternative sadly.
Btw I got a notice about developer response but could not access it..AssoulineVersion: 3.0.3
Please add classic viewUpdate: customers support was helpful and were able to recover my entries. However, i have still decided to stop using the app. The new interface is still cluttered and bloated, causing me to spend more time than I want to staring at my screen. I have exported my entries and have moved to a different diary app. The new app is a super simple experience, but doesn’t have templates or photos. If Intelligent Change adds a classic view, I would consider switching back.
Original review: I have been using the journal for a few years and it has really helped me. But this update is rough. Now i have to recover all my entries and this interface is overwhelming. I have to see metrics that stress me out, there’s no way to hide daily quotes on my entries, and it asks about how I’m feeling in smiley faces I have no use for. The strength of the app was its simplicity. Please please please add a classic view for users who want the straightforward approach that made this app so great..JewishleeksVersion: 3.0.3
Definitely NOT ready for Prime TimeAn update should improve usability and meet the demands of operating system updates. Like so many others, I’m stuck at “Account data transfer in progress. It can take several minutes for this process to complete.” Well, several minutes is now over 3 hours. I was hoping that confirming my account via the email I received after logging into the update would help, but no.
Really? The response to other reviewers is that the large number of users trying to update accounts is slowing things down? This looks much more like a complete failure to properly stress test the update. All I know is that my battery is draining and I have no idea when I will be able to use the app (or if I even want to anymore.) Even shutting down my phone and restarting doesn’t phase the app—it just keeps spinning away and wasting my battery.
I may just delete the app and be done with it. I’ll lose my data, but I’m not convinced I’ll ever see it again, anyway..M-B FanVersion: 3.0
End of an era: all downhill from here, eh?Went from being minimalist and clean (honestly - perfect - best app design of all the apps I've ever used) to having the same design ethic as the similarly declining Headspace layouts - cluttered, busy, and attention-draining despite supposedly promoting mindfulness and centeredness. And it has to LOAD entries now if I scroll. There were no load times before.
I used to use the app more for written journaling but the past couple years have been using it to select a photo/painting a day as a visual diary, and with this update the galleries (both stacked and tiled) went from being flush and beautiful to full of rounded padding and wasted space. I'm not sure which view looks uglier now. Bonus: I have the option of giving them subscription money for this disappointment a year from now.
I think the company's business strategy wasn't successful at getting as many new downloads as before so now they're switching gears to just kicking back and squeezing existing users for cash. These are simply the "whatever justifies a subscription" changes and supposed upgrades they've come up with. I'm assuming more extra super cool features are incoming to bloat the whole thing more to be able to compete with the Instagrams and TikToks of our parasitic attention economy.
I'll be looking for clean and beautiful alternatives, and if you value that sort of thing, I suggest you do too..NameofthependulumVersion: 3.0
Feel as if robbedI had “bought” this app a couple of years ago and had enjoyed using it, finding it easy and enjoyable. Then came the upgrade.
1. All the options I believed I had paid for was taken away, and I’m told I now have to pay yearly for what I had paid for, it’s sort of like selling someone a convertible then telling them two years later they now have to pay an extra fee to put the roof up and down. They offer a free year but I’m going to take a hard pass on that. I have since deleted the app and gone to another 5 minute type app which has the ease and simplicity I used to like in this app. Which brings me to:
2. The new version seems clunky to me. While the old version was simple and straightforward the new one is too fancy for my liking, it’s as if they had to invent a reason to charge you for something that you already paid for.
I am very disappointed in the app and would discourage anyone from using it..Mujo12Version: 3.0.2
Bring the old app back and fire who did the upgradeThis use to be my favorite app. I heard about the physical journal over 4-years ago and found the digital version. I don’t know what’s going on that the data migration is so poor. There’s so many problems! Much of my daily entries aren’t complete. Basically the evening highlight of the day entries aren’t there from the past, but not each one is missing. I entered repeatedly the evening entries and it looks like it’s been saved but when i go back, there’s no evening entry. Maybe they should have run a beta version before springing this on me and saying we won’t charge you until next year. I have emailed developer and they said it’s because i have two accounts, i looked and no that’s not true. Email again and they said to log out and back in. 7 days with the “upgrade” and the entries weren’t saved. I am now looking for other, more reliable digital journals..Carol in Ann ArborVersion: 3.0
Miss the old versionI wish they hadn’t changed it. Just another scam to get more money. I paid for the full version years ago, I didn’t want to then later be forced to subscribe just to have all those features back. I liked the older version better. Just read the most recent reviews glad to see I’m not the only one who is unhappy with the new update. I’ve also lost all my years of entries, I hate the way it now asks for your entry. The app icon is hideous. Idk what the developers were thinking but this was a horrible move on their part. BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL!
PS I’m deleting the app and will not be subscribing because that is ridiculous.
The development team only responded to the missing entries and not the fact that they completely ruined the app! I still want the old version back the new one is awful and I will not be using it anymore especially because you just want more money..Aurora999999Version: 3.0
Update is brokenI paid for the app a few years ago and now the features I paid for are locked behind a subscription model. I don’t want new features so I’d like to see if I can adjust to the basic plan, but I will be pursuing another app over considering any sort of subscription for something I already paid for.
I understand the financial benefits of the corporate subscription model, but there are many other apps that made this transition in a more consumer friendly fashion. Namely, not locking people out of their accounts for updating and providing all of the classic content for legacy users for free while giving users the option to upgrade to Premium for new features and to support the devs. A year free trial of the premium plan does not compensate for this. Sure, this version is more financially sustainable regardless of how many people leave the app; I just won’t personally be a part of it..Cavaleiro45Version: 3.0.3
Never been so disappointed.I recently got this app after years of buying the physical journal. I’ve never been so disappointed. All my entires are gone. And not only did I have to buy this app before the update. Now I have to buy a year subscription to even use the features I was already using. I don’t recommend this app to anyone. Especially since seems like a lot of users that were existing are having so many issues. I’ve had a ticket open and still have no resolution. I’m not going to pay for the year subscription. I got the pop up for the free year but then got a pop up to change my password. So it’s been a lost cause since and to say I’m disappointed is an understatement. Existing customers should have been grand fathered in because what do I look like buying an app and then having to pay to use the app I bought. Not me sounding like a Karen lol.NicolehhhhhhVersion: 3.0.1
Updated review[2nd update] After 3 days, the data transfer is complete and I am able to recover my old journal entries. Because of the new $25/year subscription model, I have already purchased a different journal app, one that has a fixed price, and have migrated there.
[update] The developer sent an email, via the Apple App Store, with instructions to recover my data. Unfortunately I can’t perform the suggested account changes, because the app has been stuck on the Account Data Transfer in Progress page for several days, even after exiting the app
[original] I’ll pay a fair fixed price for a good app, which 5 Minute Journal used to be, but not a subscription. On top of that, several years worth of data is now gone because I can neither create an new account or recover the password for a previous one..BlackSluggardVersion: 3.0
Proposed changesI really wanted to ask to see a few changes that would help alleviate the stress and resentment caused by the new update. 1: please remove the automatic addition of a quotation of the day to our entries - or make it optional. It’s just tacky/unwanted as a set part of entries 2: make the images bigger in the gallery PLEASE. to be able to actually scroll through and enjoy your past journal pictures in an aesthetically pleasing way. It’s such a simple change but would help enjoy the journal immensely as we used to. Two images per row is ENOUGH because we want to scroll through and enjoy our journals 3: allow to press on an image and see the journal entry from that time as well - not just the image itself This would really help improve the app and keep new features for anyone that actually wants them. Thank you for your consideration..It blows.Version: 3.5
DisappointedIt use to be a great app. The new model is not bad, but not great. Unlike a lot of people I did not loose my data. I have not used this product since the change. Only reason I still have it is to transfer data to DayOne which I like much better. It is about the same price but has more features I like.
The new format is just not to my liking. It use to be simple but they have added even more junk entries. They have also taken away the ability to insert pictures.
They have a yearly fee and a forever fee. Unfortunately, I also do not trust them any more. When I originally bought it they said it was forever. Now they say another $75 and it is forever. If they changed there minds once on a forever purchase they will probably do it again..Swimmer-BearVersion: 3.1.1
Morning entry keeps getting erased!I would probably give this app a solid 5 star review except for a glitch that continues to happen. When I use my iPad to do my morning gratitude time all goes well. Then, in the evening my phone as me to finish with how the day went. When I go to do that entry it erases all of my morning stuff, including photos I posted on the entries. It is so frustrating!!! I took to the time to carefully and thoughtfully enter that stuff and now it is all gone. This has happened many times and as a result I will be deleting this app and no longer subscribing.
I noticed this issue only occurred after the updated version of the app came out. It is really hard to feel the gratitude I am seeking when the app malfunctions and erases my entries!.TrevT97Version: 3.3
New update is a money grab - Do not buyI bought this app more than 3 years ago. Have 3 years of pictures and journals that all vanished with the latest update. Tried to connect using my Facebook account and it tells me that it already imported this account. When I login, my journal is completely blank. Nothing left. And they tell me that to get the same functionality I used to have and have been using for the last 3 years, I need to now buy an annual subscription. Stay away. Terrible..Addicted2abirdsVersion: 3.0
After 2 years I’m angry at changesI paid for this app and have used it for 2 years, and really enjoyed it. Until today. Today the app changed and now unless you go with premium you can’t put your daily picture on your entry. A free year and then 31.99 yearly.
I’ve already paid for the app. Don’t do it. There have to be better options. I’m going to look for one..Vibrator!1Version: 3.0
You had the best app why switchI have you physical 5 minute journal and I purchased the app as well huge fan of your products but you should have made another application and not updated it I just can’t believe you would hurt all your fellow users like this the layout sucks and the subscription. The layout before was way better. I wish you would think about your users first before doing this.Andre GravelleVersion: 3.1.1
$5-10 for a real paper journal $50 PER YEAR?I’d be willing to pay a one time fee possibly up to 19.99 but upon seeing the sheer volume amount of people complaining about how the app used to be this pay once style and is now pay per view style…..I read the intro, saw the subscription price and put my mind in a logical philosophical stance. More expensive than paper bound? Are you for real? How gullible are customers? How greedy are developers? I deleted this as quick as it was to install. For $100 you can own (for life) personal meditation videos that you always has access to..YashokuVersion: 3.5
Not GratefulHard to be grateful when the app updates without any warning and, besides not liking the new interface, I’m livid that all of my previous journal entries and photos were completely wiped out. I used those as memories and uplifting reminders of good days. Very, very disappointed..DisMay21Version: 3.0
Update sucksNew update is terrible do not purchase.Dave McNVersion: 3.0
My journal vanishedI purchased and used this journal, I like this journal. I sent to pick it up again after having been away for awhile and I’m locked out, unable to reset my password or open a new account. The app is basically useless now. I heard they charge you now too, but I wouldn’t know - can’t even get that far. Not what it promises… feel pretty violated as I had a whole journal that has just disappeared 😢.VukaniVersion: 3.6.3
SUBSCRIPTION BASEDI was told about this to try and help me get better. Im not about to pay 150+ after tax for a glorified notebook/mood tracker to get away from endless subscription, as if there aren’t others that can provide the services. Yikes..Dr0pPondVersion: 3.6.1
Cloud Sync Failed!I’ve been a happy customer for the past year since I purchased this. The past 2 days, however, my journal is no longer sync’ing and my data is gone!! I’ve used the contact link in the app itself to send a screen shot of the error (as the error indicates) and no one is bothering to answer me (or even acknowledge that they’ve received my note). Is anyone there?? Are you still supporting this thing??.WineLover1961Version: 3.5.2
Bait and switch app-stay away!There should be something that can be instituted that can prevent such developers fleecing customers by paying them pay for the product i.e full features of the app and then flip the service model to an annual subscription without offering existing customers the benefit of the purchase that was already committed! Stay away from these scammers..Adh2019Version: 3.5
Do not buy it’s a scamI cannot believe I fell for this and that Apple is allowing this to happen on their platform. I paid for the app. Now to be able to continue to use the app I have to pay $31.99 per year. The app should be free if you need to pay a yearly subscription to use it. And it feels particularly gross that a company called “Intelligent Change” would take advantage of this self help industry in this way. You are better off just writing in your notes app with all the same prompts. Extremely disappointed..JGuzmanVersion: 3.4.3
DisappointedI don’t believe that the developers worked with an expert in gratitude practice. This product felt too gimmicky. The gratitude prompts do not guide you on a journey. You should feel like your moving towards that feeling of being more connected to yourself. Glad that I didn’t spend $27 CAD on the book..$.KaurVersion: 3.1.1
Wishing for more simplicityI’ve been using 5 minute journal for nearly five years now and I loved the app prior to this update for its simplicity. There used to be the option to turn off the quotes, I wish that was still the case. They’ve also added a mood tracker which I wish I could disable as well. I also wish I could disable the daily memories saying “3 years ago…” without having to I click “X” on them every single day. I just wish it was more simplified like it used to be. All I want is the prompts, that’s it. I just wish I could disable all of the new bells and whistles because they just distract from the main experience of writing the journal entry. Overall, I really enjoy the new UI though, just wish I didn’t have so many steps before getting to the prompts..Jemard24Version: 3.1.1
Update is a Crap ScamDidn’t want the update. Won’t pay for the update (I already bought the lifetime access to the app once). I don’t like the changes, I didn’t ask for them and am now deleting this all off my phone. What a waste of money by a developer you cannot trust. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS APP. The developer will make sudden changes without asking you, and then insist you pay for them. I want a refund for the original app that I paid for and you have stolen..Coach ChrystalVersion: 3.1
I lost everything after they upgraded the app and now it's paid!Since you upgraded the app I can't access my every day journal. What happened? Do I have lost all my information? No advance notice to I have the option to back up my posts?.CarolsimonsenVersion: 3.0.3
New update is disappointingI loved the former app the ability to add pictures to your entires and now to have that included you have to pay a subscription which is unreasonable considering I paid full price for the app. I enjoy the fact that you can write more but other than that this new update is a huge disappointment I’ve decided to delete this app. It doesn’t feel like it’s serving it’s purpose as effectively as the former platform it just feels like another way to make money out of a subscription app. You’ll get more out of the actual journal than this app..SnvelasqVersion: 3.0.3
Lost all my dataWorst update ever. Do not buy or update if you've bought the app already..Julia’s subscriptionVersion: 3.0.2
Disappointing updateI appreciated the simplicity and one-time purchase option of the previous version. The new app isn't as elegant and takes away features, such as attaching a photo, from the base feature set. On top of this, the app crashed multiple times when creating a new entry. Unfortunately there is no way of remaining on the v2 version of the app. I'm hopeful the team will improve the app over time, but right now I'm regretting the upgrade..SuterVersion: 3.0
I LOST A YEAR OF ENTRIES. don’t waste your money.After over a year of using this app, it automatically upgraded without notice and I lost all of my entries...over 350 entries just gone. I’ve reached out for help and support three times in the past 7 days and no one has even acknowledged my emails. Very disappointed. I’ve moved on and now given up ever finding my old entries. So sad. I paid for this app and now they want more money. What’s going to happen in another year even if I buy in now.
Read the reviews. This happened to so many people..LiselhyVersion: 3.0.2
SolutionThis app was simple and easy now its complicated and costly, just get “morning-gratitude” its the same thing as this app before the lame update..Lola12.2021Version: 3.0.2
Fun while it lastedWelp it was fun while it lasted, since the money grab update I can’t use it anymore customer service is not responding and I have lost all my data.Nickname8685574474Version: 3.0.1
Want to learn how to turn a 5 star app to a 1 star?Just follow this devs approach. Take an existing loved app, force an upgrade that causes you to loose all your data and then pay to get the features you used to have. Great way to loose your exiting customers if that’s the goal.
As it stands now, what makes 5 Minute Journal better than the hundreds of other journaling apps? Nothing that I can see. Price WAS the reason, one-off and simple. Now it’s just like all the rest. Maybe launching this in parallel with the old app as “5 minute journal premium” wouldn’t have caused so much outrage in this forced transition….
Yes, another unsatisfied customer. Take a look at Jour if you want a robust journaling paid app instead..XtropyVersion: 3.0.1
Disappointed like many other usersWhile my journal entries eventually did come back after many, many days later when the app just crashed while trying to update ... some of the new features are nice but doesn’t justify the cost for me. I paid for the app a few years ago that I also thought I could use forever but now basic features that were included are removed and we have to pay $35/yr to have them back like a picture (which was a nice feature) ... Paid app users should’ve been given the features they paid for and maybe some warning of changes and upgrades would’ve been nice. Isn’t that what most companies do when they make a big change? I’m not sure I’ll continue with this app... 🤔.Rez2RezVersion: 3.0.1
Greedy Company. I paid for app, then they moved to subscription-based model a month later.Bought the app a little over a month ago, and now they move the app to subscription based in order to have full access. I would not have spent good money on this app if I knew they were going to hose me a month later. And giving me one year of premium access is not a proper trade-off for me having already paid for the app. If you were a decent company, you would grandfather in people that have already paid for the app, and given them “lifetime” access, and then new subscribers can pay the yearly/monthly subscription. And the fact that you chose to rip off people that have already purchased the app, proves that you are not the touchy-feely sensitive company that you pretend to be. I want my money back..Bigus MikusVersion: 3.0.1
It was better beforeThe old version was simple and easier, like the book. Even if you’ve paid it before now you have to subscribe for keeping the photo option. I don’t want to use it anymore..Captain_H0wdyVersion: 3.0.1
Lost all my dataWith the new version, I lose everything I had before... And they put new pictures and quotes that I've never had before. Not sure where they are taking that data.SkuddleskodaVersion: 3.0.1
New update is terriblePurchased this app in 2016. Without warning, this app was updated and now I no longer have access to my data. There are allegedly ways to retrieve this information. However, better efforts could have been made to make this transition seamless for existing, longtime users. Not a pleasant way to start the day. Hoping new users get something positive out if this but I’m out..MilleBixoxoVersion: 3.0.1
Where all my old posts??Why am I paying for more functionality when I had paid for it already?.DamoniesVersion: 3.0.1
Just in it for the moneyVery unhappy with this app - paid for lifetime use 3 years ago and suddenly I will need to pay over $30 a year... gifted me one year free but it’s poor business practice. Anyone who had paid for lifetime use prior to the switch should have been honoured. I will not be recommending this app any longer..Beck-1991Version: 3.0.1
Update Wiped my JournalIt was pleasant while it lasted but the new update while everything. I followed the instructions and made sure I did not make a second profile by mistake. But it seems everything is gone. The app didn’t even recognize me as an existing user. I’m grateful for the time I had with my journal but will be moving on. Wish it could have had a better ending. Hopefully new users will find the joy I once had with this product. But for existing users, there seems to be bugs with the transition.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Simple but intuitive design. A great reminder to practice mindful thinking.
I like to think I am the type that will sit and write in a physical journal- especially because I think there is a special ritual with the act of writing with a purpose. However, I can be forgetful. This app is a more convenient way to accomplish that when on the go. It's also a nice way to preserve memories with daily photos.
Great job!!
2 MONTH UPDATE: I've been using this regularly (I've occasionally missed a day or two, but was able to catch up). This is such a great way to document my day with thoughts and photos. It's so gratifying to look back at it with instant visual cues. It serves as a reminder that life is good :)
I have an idea for you Mimi and Alex- perhaps sometime in the future you can find a way to make the journals printable for physical copies of our journals.
Thank you so much for making this. It is wonderful and has had a very positive affect on my mindset :).IleyadVersion: 3.0.1
Bad V3 rolloutI have the paper journal and love it. Paid for the app years ago and found it so much more convenient for my lifestyle. I can easily hack it in my other journals but I liked being able to add a photo. V3 really should have been rolled out as a separate app. I too lost everything. They assure me it will reappear but i have doubts.
Disappointed in how they destroyed everyone’s trust with this new version rollout. Some notice to back up or export our journals would have been kind.
Also, when dayone went to a subscription model they honoured the payment and loyalty of their past users by creating a usage option just for them. It is still in effect and I am so proud to support and recommend their product every way I can. It would have been nice of intelligentchange to respect their users in a similar way.
A year free premium is ok I guess… the utter shock and disappointment of waking up to my entire gratitude journal being gone has me skeptical..Smile.blackbirdVersion: 3.0
Bait and switch?I purchased this app and was very pleased with how easy it was to use, the look and feel, and being able to look back at my entries and photos. It was an unpleasant surprise to wake up one morning and find that it had changed, with no notice, no instructions and on top of that, the features that had come with the original purchase you now need to subscribe for. What a complete disappointment.
Interesting choice of logo and I am not sure that the added features are worth the subscription. Sadly I will no longer be using this app..GooseberryRiderVersion: 3.0
Terrible. AVOID THIS APP.I bought the app a month ago, and with the new update all of my memories are wiped. I read the other reviews and the developer response on how to get my old entries back, and I warn you people: IT HASNT WORKED. HORRIBLE. DO NOT BUY. I’m so upset that some precious memories and photos are gone. Disgusted..My mom says im a champVersion: 3.0
Stay away - do not purchaseI’ve already paid for the full version of this app once, and now all of a sudden and without warning, they want a monthly subscription for the same feature set I already paid for?? (even to add a picture it costs money - my notes app does this for free!) Horrible business practice. Will never buy anything from this developer ever again. Also, they told me that I’d receive a one year subscription (which I never did) AND all my data is gone. Absolutely disgusted. I will buy another journaling app instead. Goodbye!.AnwarK7Version: 3.0
Not happy with the changes made to the appYour original app was much better and a lot more effective. The new format is not at all appealing.
What I am most shocked and sad about is that I have lost all the data - all my journal entries and pics over the last 2 years.
You changed the app without any prior warning and now even though I’ve logged in I have no access to my journal entries. It’s a shame ☹️
You’re obviously looking to make money. I don’t see why I have to pay to use the app the way I was using it earlier. I had already paid you for the app 2 years ago!! Very bad experience.
Your new app is not even as appealing as the original 😕.Noracan2Version: 3.0
Was great until the new updateLoved this app, which I paid for, and then it auto updated and now I can’t access any of my history or use the new one, either. And in a year I will have to pay all over again.
Why ruin a good thing?!?.InspirewellVersion: 3.0
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