The Definitive Guide to Local-First Mobile Journaling
Local-first journaling simply means your iPhone stays at the centre of the experience instead of your journal feeling like a website or social feed. In Stillkeep, you keep photos and writing together as Moments, organize them into life chapters called Eras, and use Apple’s iOS and iCloud technologies for storage and private synchronization.
What “local-first” means in everyday use
A local-first journal puts the phone experience first. Stillkeep’s Privacy Policy says user data is stored and processed using Apple infrastructure, including CloudKit, rather than describing Stillkeep as a separate public content platform.
Your journal remains your content
Local-first does not mean there is no cloud technology involved: Stillkeep uses Apple’s iCloud infrastructure for storage and synchronization. Stillkeep’s Privacy Policy also says it does not use third-party analytics, third-party advertising SDKs, or cross-app tracking technologies.
Keep memories without a daily journaling rule
Stillkeep does not require daily entries or streaks. You can create an Era for a chapter of your life, add dated Moments when something feels worth remembering, include photos and writing, and find those memories later through search or Look Back.
A note about offline use
Stillkeep should not be described as fully offline unless that behaviour has been separately tested and confirmed. The app uses Apple services for storage and synchronization, so this guide avoids making promises about exactly what works without a connection.
A simple routine: keep, revisit, and export
A simple approach is to save the Moments that matter, add enough writing to remember why they mattered, and revisit them later. Important Eras can also be exported as PDFs, giving you a readable copy outside the app, although a PDF is not the same as a complete raw database backup.
20 common questions about local-first iPhone journaling
What is a local-first journal?
A local-first journal puts your phone at the centre of the experience. Stillkeep combines private photo-and-writing journaling with iCloud storage and synchronization through Apple services.
Does local-first mean cloud-free?
No. Stillkeep uses iCloud, so Apple’s cloud infrastructure is part of the app. “Local-first” describes a device-centred approach; it does not mean that every cloud service has been removed.
Can I journal when my connection is unreliable?
This guide does not promise specific offline behaviour because it has not been separately confirmed. Stillkeep uses Apple services for storage and synchronization, so it is better to be precise than to describe the app as fully offline.
Who owns content created in Stillkeep?
Stillkeep’s Terms say that users retain ownership of the content they create. The app receives the permissions needed to process and store that content so its features can work.
Does Stillkeep use advertising trackers?
Stillkeep’s Privacy Policy says the app does not use third-party advertising SDKs, cross-app tracking technologies, or third-party analytics.
What is an Era?
An Era is a chapter of your life that you define yourself, such as University, New Baby, a trip, a hobby, or a project. Your dated Moments are kept inside that Era.
What is a Moment?
A Moment is a dated entry inside an Era that can contain photos and writing. You can add multiple photos, with the available number depending on your Stillkeep plan.
Do I have to write every day?
No. Stillkeep does not require daily entries or streaks. You decide when something is worth turning into a Moment.
How do I find an old entry?
You can search journal entries, tags, and Era titles, with extra filters for photos, notes, tags, and vibes. Look Back can also bring older Moments back to you without needing to search for them.
What does Look Back do?
Look Back brings previous Moments back from different points in the past. It is designed to make memories you already saved easier to rediscover.
Can I organize entries beyond Eras?
Yes. Tags, vibes, and pins give you extra ways to organize Moments when they are useful. You do not need to use them on every entry.
Can Stillkeep contain photos and text together?
Yes. A Moment can contain photos and writing together, so you can keep the picture as well as the story or detail behind it.
Can I zoom into saved photos?
Yes. Stillkeep lets you view photos full screen and pinch to zoom when you want to look more closely.
Can I export my journal?
Yes. You can export a whole Era as a PDF or export an individual Moment as a photocard containing its image and writing.
Is a PDF export a full database backup?
No. A PDF gives you a readable copy of an Era, but it is not a complete raw database backup. If a journal is irreplaceable, keep important exports as part of a wider backup plan.
Does Stillkeep use Sign in with Apple?
Yes. Stillkeep’s Privacy Policy identifies Sign in with Apple as the service used for authentication.
How does iCloud fit into Stillkeep?
Stillkeep uses Apple’s CloudKit and iCloud infrastructure for private storage and synchronization. Access to private CloudKit data is tied to the user’s iCloud account.
Is Stillkeep a social network?
No. Stillkeep is designed as a private personal journal, not a public social feed. You choose when to create an export that can be shared outside the app.
What happens if I delete my account?
Stillkeep provides in-app account deletion, and its legal materials state that associated account data and content are permanently removed. Users should export anything they want to keep before deletion.
Who is local-first journaling useful for?
It may suit iPhone users who want a private photo-and-writing journal, prefer to record selected memories rather than write every day, use Apple-based synchronization, and want control over what they export.