The new year has arrived, and many are looking to cultivate new habits. Here’s a look at why recent enhancements to the Journal and Fitness apps from Apple might be worth your attention.
Upgrades for the Underused Fitness and Journal Apps
Apple doesn’t disclose app usage statistics, but it’s reasonable to assume that Journal and Fitness rank among the least accessed built-in apps on the iPhone.
However, each application possesses valuable features, particularly for individuals aiming to adopt healthier routines in the new year.
Just a few months ago, with the release of iOS 18, Apple implemented a range of significant improvements for both apps.
Here’s a summary of the new features, drawn from Apple’s official release notes as well as my own observations.
New Features in the Journal App
The Journal app debuted in iOS 17.2, but it truly improved with iOS 18.
New functionalities include:
- State of Mind: Now you can log your State of Mind directly in the Journal app, and emotions or moods recorded in the Health app will contribute to Journaling Suggestions.
- Insights: This feature displays your writing streaks, a calendar, and various statistics to aid in tracking your journaling objectives.
- Search: Quickly locate previous entries, with the added ability to sort them according to your preference.
- Widgets: Accessible on both your Home and Lock Screens, Journal can display your current writing streak or daily writing prompts, allowing for real-time reflection.
- Rich Text: Expanded formatting capabilities now include color options for text, bullet points, dashes, numbered lists, and block quotes.
- Transcripts: Audio recordings saved in the app can now be transcribed.
- Sort: A new option allows sorting by the chronological moment instead of the writing date.
- Print: You can export your journal entries as PDF files for printing.
I tend to prefer using a physical keyboard for journaling, so I’m still hopeful for an iPad version before I fully commit to the Journal app. Nevertheless, these updates have certainly made it more enticing.
Redesign and Enhancements to the Fitness App
The Fitness app received a significant redesign in iOS 18, enhancing customization options while also expanding the Fitness+ features and navigation.
In alignment with a broader customization philosophy in iOS 18, the Fitness summary screen now offers various content cards that you can rearrange, add to, or remove as preferred.
To modify your view, simply scroll to the bottom and select ‘Edit Summary.’ There, you can add new cards or manipulate the existing ones with ease. This creates a more personalized hub for your fitness activities.
Fitness+ now features new navigation pathways with four dedicated tabs:
- For You
- Explore
- Library
- Search
These options are neatly integrated within the single Fitness+ tab on iPhone, while on iPad, they constitute your main navigational options.
Across these updated screens, users can effortlessly uncover personalized suggestions and motivation reminders for their fitness journey.
I’ve been using Fitness+ extensively since its integration with Apple One and find it to be exceptionally well designed. If you’re looking to initiate new fitness habits, now is the perfect opportunity to explore it.
Do you frequently use the Journal or Fitness apps? What features have you found most beneficial? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Top iPhone Accessories
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
