How to back up, export and sync your journal
Because your journal lives in your browser, keeping a copy is your job — and it only takes a minute. Here are the three ways to do it, and what to do when you change phones or browsers.
Which option do you need?
| Option | Good for | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| JSON backup | A complete copy you keep yourself; moving to another browser; leaving DiaryFast | Free |
| Month as PDF | Reading, printing, keeping a readable archive, sharing a month with a coach or therapist | Pro or 24-hour pass |
| Encrypted sync | Using the same journal on phone and computer, automatically | Pro monthly or yearly |
Export a JSON backup
- Open Settings → Your data.
- Tap Export backup (JSON). A file named
diaryfast-backup-YYYY-MM-DD.jsondownloads. - Keep it somewhere safe — a password manager, an encrypted drive or your cloud storage.
The backup contains every entry with its text, photos (as embedded images), mood, weather, AI replies, conversations and action items, plus saved reports. It is not encrypted, even if the passphrase lock is on, so treat the file like the journal itself. A reasonable habit: export once a month, or after anything you'd hate to lose.
Restore a backup (or move to another browser)
- Open DiaryFast in the new browser or device.
- Settings → Import backup and choose the file.
Import merges rather than replaces: entries that don't exist yet are added, and an entry that exists on both sides keeps the newer version. Importing the same file twice doesn't create duplicates.
Save a month as a PDF
- Open Report → The whole month's journal as PDF (or Settings → Month as PDF).
- Choose whether to include AI replies, conversations and photos — the preview updates.
- Tap Print / save as PDF, then pick Save as PDF as the printer. Turn on “Background graphics” to keep mood colours.
The preview is free; printing needs Pro or the 24-hour pass. A PDF is for reading — to restore entries into DiaryFast, use a JSON backup.
Set up encrypted sync
- Settings → Encrypted sync → enter your email → Email me a sign-in link. Open the link on the same device and tap Sign in on this device.
- Choose a sync passphrase (8+ characters) and type it twice. Everything on this device is encrypted with it and uploaded.
- On your second device: sign in with the same email, enter the same sync passphrase, and tap Connect this device. Entries download and decrypt.
After that, changes sync a few seconds after you save and every few minutes while DiaryFast is open. Edits to the same entry on two devices: the most recently saved version wins.
The sync passphrase never leaves your devices and can't be reset by us. Forgot it? Start over with a new passphrase deletes the encrypted server copies (entries on your devices stay) and re-uploads with the new one. How the encryption works is explained in where your journal is stored.
Changing phones, browsers or plans
- New phone: with sync, sign in and connect — done. Without sync, export on the old phone, send the file to yourself and import it on the new one.
- iPhone and iPad: add DiaryFast to the Home Screen and use it from there. Safari can clear storage for websites you haven't opened in a while; backups or sync protect you either way.
- Pro ends: nothing is deleted. Entries on your devices stay fully usable, and synced copies can still be downloaded to a new device. New changes simply stop uploading until you subscribe again.
- Leaving DiaryFast: the JSON backup is plain, documented JSON — an
entriesarray where each entry hascreated,title,text(Markdown),mood(1–5),images,replies,chatandactions— so you can convert it for another app. - Delete everything: Settings → Erase this device's journal, and Delete account for the server copies.
Try it in DiaryFast. Free, no sign-up — your entries stay on your device.
Open backup & sync settingsQuestions
Does DiaryFast back up my journal automatically?
Only if you turn on encrypted sync. Otherwise your journal exists only in your browser, so export a backup regularly.
Is the JSON backup encrypted?
No. It's a plain file so you can always open it. Store it somewhere private.
Can I sync without Pro?
Uploading changes needs Pro monthly or yearly. Downloading what's already synced works without Pro, so your data is never stuck.
Are photos included?
Yes, in backups, PDFs (if you tick Photos) and sync. Very large entries with many photos may be too big to sync; the app tells you if that happens.
DiaryFast is a journaling and self-reflection tool, not therapy or medical advice. If you are in crisis, contact local emergency services or a crisis line (US & Canada: call or text 988; UK & Ireland: Samaritans 116 123; elsewhere: findahelpline.com).