After being exclusive to iPhones for nearly two years, Apple’s Journal app is finally branching out. The tech giant announced at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 that the Journal app will be available on both Mac and iPad devices later this year as part of the upcoming macOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates. Originally introduced as a digital tool to help iPhone users document daily thoughts, experiences, and milestones through text, photos, videos, and audio, Journal is now evolving into a multi-device experience. The move comes as Apple continues to strengthen its ecosystem by ensuring tighter integration and consistency across all its hardware platforms.
“Journal comes to Mac, making it easy to capture and write about everyday moments and special events when inspiration strikes,” Apple said in a press statement released alongside the macOS 26 announcement. “On Mac, it’s easy to type long, thoughtful entries and view them on a map. Users can keep multiple journals for various aspects of life, which are all synced across Apple devices.”
The Mac version of Journal is expected to be particularly appealing to those who prefer traditional writing formats and value the ability to compose lengthier reflections using a physical keyboard. It also leverages the Mac’s larger display to better organise journal entries, tag them with location data, and allow users to navigate their memories visually. Meanwhile, on iPad, the Journal app takes full advantage of touch inputs and Apple Pencil compatibility, offering users a more tactile and expressive way to document their experiences.
“On iPad, users can incorporate drawings and handwriting alongside their journal entries,” Apple stated, highlighting a key benefit for creative users who favour freeform note-taking or artistic journaling styles.
The expansion to iPad feels like a natural fit, particularly for those who already use their tablet as a sketchbook or planning tool. The combination of digital flexibility with the familiar act of drawing or scribbling may offer a more immersive alternative to traditional pen-and-paper journaling.
However, while developer betas for macOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are already available, general users will have to exercise patience. Apple confirmed that the public beta versions for both platforms will arrive sometime next month, with a full public release planned for autumn.
This update marks a significant moment for Apple’s software evolution, particularly in how it leverages cross-platform functionality to create cohesive, daily-use experiences. By making the Journal app accessible on Mac and iPad, Apple appears to be targeting a wider audience—writers, creatives, students, and professionals—who seek a meaningful, well-designed space for self-expression.
It is noteworthy that Journal is not the only app that will now be shared on iPadOS. Third-party apps, like Instagram and WhatsApp, are also working their way up. While the WhatsApp app is already available for iPad, Instagram is still in the pipeline. iPads are presently able to run the iPhone version of Instagram, but the user experience leaves much to be desired, largely due to the app not being optimised for the tablet’s larger display. Information about a dedicated iPad version remains limited, and as of now, there is no official word on when it might be released.