I put in Google Journal on my Samsung, and you must too

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Google rolled out many new software program options and apps with the Pixel 10, together with a brand new diary app referred to as Journal. Whereas it’s believed to be unique to the brand new telephone line, that’s not totally true. I downloaded the APK and put in it on my Samsung Galaxy telephone with out a lot bother. In the event you’re in search of a easy, fast journal app, I counsel you attempt it in your telephone too.

Do you intend on utilizing Pixel Journal? 1044 votes

Sure, I feel it seems to be nice.

39%

No, I already use one other journaling app.

8%

No, I haven't got any curiosity in a digital journal.

46%

Different (tell us within the feedback).

7%

The best way to set up Google Journal on a non-Pixel telephone

<img class="e_ng" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="google journal apkmirror 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="google journal apkmirror 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-apkmirror-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

For a lot of, Google Journal isn’t seen on the Play Retailer, however it comes preinstalled on Pixel 10 gadgets. Nevertheless, it’s not locked to Google gadgets even when it makes use of on-device Gemini Nano to unleash its full potential. It could possibly due to this fact run on telephones from different producers. To put in it, observe these steps:

Earlier than you possibly can set up Google Journal, you’ll want a cut up APK installer. Since we’re grabbing the APK file from APK Mirror, chances are you'll as nicely use APKMirror Installer. Obtain it from the Play Retailer on the hyperlink. Subsequent, open your internet browser. Go to the Google Journal itemizing on APK Mirror and hit the orange Obtain APK bundle icon. Now, open APKMirror Installer > Browse information, go to your Obtain folder, and also you’ll discover the Journal set up file with a inexperienced APKM brand beneath it. Choose it, then faucet Set up package deal. APKMirror Installer does have advertisements, sadly. So you possibly can both subscribe to take away the advertisements or Watch advert and set up app. I like to recommend the latter. After the advert completes, a pop-up will seem asking if you wish to set up Journal. Select Set up. As soon as the app is put in, faucet Open app to get journaling.

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With out the AI, Google Journal nails the fundamentals

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If there’s one factor Google Journal does nicely, it’s the fundamentals. Which may not sound optimistic, however let me clarify. Google emphasizes the app’s AI options, however many are restricted to the Pixel 10. On different telephones, the absence of those options is definitely useful.

My colleague Joe talked about in a current opinion that this AI characteristic, which creates writing prompts primarily based on previous entries, exercise information, and images, is why he gained’t use the app. This characteristic makes use of Gemini Nano on-device and at the moment solely works on the Pixel 10. You don’t have this AI challenge on non-Pixel gadgets.

Utilizing Google Journal on a Samsung telephone is an AI-free expertise.

Positive, Google Journal is so simple as a pigeon nest, however I see this as a optimistic. Whereas extra highly effective diary apps have habit-tracking, multi-journals, and common availability, these options could be overwhelming. Even Notion and Obsidian can really feel extreme after I need to jot down just a few ideas. Journal’s simplicity permits me to clear my head and simply write.

<img class="e_ng" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="google journal on samsung phone memories goals 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="google journal on samsung phone memories goals 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-memories-goals-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

In fact, you should utilize Journal as a journal, however it has different potential makes use of. It might be a helpful journey log, permitting you to incorporate a number of images and maps in an entry rapidly. It may additionally work as a mind dump software, a meals log, or a extra targeted venture file software.

Total, I feel Google did a great job with Journal. It’s a fledgling app, however it seems to be nice in its Materials 3 Expressive design and provides just about every part I may need in a quick-fire journal app.

There are nonetheless higher choices for journaling on Android

<img class="e_ng" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Notion templates" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates.jpg 2048w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Notion templates" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Notion-templates.jpg"/> Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

I'd like Journal’s simplicity, however you won't. There are extra established journaling choices on Android should you want extra options. As an illustration, Journal doesn’t have a voice word characteristic, which appears unusual. It additionally lacks behavior monitoring, a characteristic many bullet journal lovers take into account important.

Listed here are just a few Google Journal options (or helpful companions) you would possibly need to take a look at:

Habitica: Gamifying chores and duties, Habitica encourages customers to carry out duties and develop habits. It’s not strictly a journaling app, however enhances an app like Journal rather well. Daylio: With a colourful interface and a concentrate on moods, Daylio helps join each day actions with psychological well being. Like Journal, you possibly can add images, choose a temper, and write a short entry. Journey: Journey is like Journal all grown up, with extra organizational options like tagging, a built-in temper tracker, and platform availability past Pixel gadgets. Day One: In the event you want a collaborative journal shared with household or pals, Day One is a superb choice. It consists of customized writing templates and a clear interface. Notion: Not strictly a journaling app, Notion is extremely adaptable and customizable. It provides devoted journal templates with behavior monitoring choices, or you possibly can construct your individual.

In the event you don’t personal a Pixel 10 telephone, I counsel putting in Journal. The app works nicely with out its built-in AI options and will get to the core of journaling. This could be my manner again into journaling, and I’m excited to see how Google develops and hopefully broadens the app’s availability within the coming years.