![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-1.jpg\"\/ "\\"google")
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Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
Google rolled out many new software features and apps with the Pixel 10<\/a>, including a new diary app called Journal<\/a>. While it\u2019s believed to be exclusive to the new phone line, that\u2019s not entirely true. I downloaded the APK and installed it on my Samsung Galaxy<\/a> phone without much trouble. If you\u2019re looking for a simple, immediate journal app, I suggest you try it on your phone too.<\/p>\n Do you plan on using Pixel Journal?<\/p>\n 1034 votes<\/p>\n Yes, I think it looks great.<\/p>\n 39%<\/p>\n No, I already use another journaling app.<\/p>\n 8%<\/p>\n No, I don’t have any interest in a digital journal.<\/p>\n 46%<\/p>\n Other (let us know in the comments).<\/p>\n 7%<\/p>\n How to install Google Journal on a non-Pixel phone<\/p>\n Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n For many, Google Journal isn\u2019t visible on the Play Store, but it comes preinstalled on Pixel 10 devices. However, it\u2019s not locked to Google devices even if it uses on-device Gemini Nano to unleash its full potential. It can therefore run on phones from other manufacturers. To install it, follow these steps:<\/p>\n Before you can install Google Journal, you\u2019ll need a split APK installer. Since we\u2019re grabbing the APK file from APK Mirror, you may as well use APKMirror Installer<\/a>. Download it from the Play Store at the link. Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n Without the AI, Google Journal nails the basics<\/p>\n Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n If there\u2019s one thing Google Journal does well, it\u2019s the basics. That might not sound positive, but let me explain. Google emphasizes the app\u2019s AI features, but many are limited to the Pixel 10. On other phones, the absence of these features is actually beneficial.<\/p>\n My colleague Joe mentioned in a recent opinion<\/a> that this AI feature, which creates writing prompts based on past entries, activity data, and photos, is why he won\u2019t use the app. This feature uses Gemini Nano on-device and currently only works on the Pixel 10. You don\u2019t have this AI issue on non-Pixel devices.<\/p>\n Using Google Journal on a Samsung phone is an AI-free experience.<\/p>\n Sure, Google Journal is as simple as a pigeon nest, but I see this as a positive. While more powerful diary apps have habit-tracking, multi-journals, and universal availability, these features can be overwhelming. Even Notion<\/a> and Obsidian<\/a> can feel excessive when I want to jot down a few thoughts. Journal\u2019s simplicity allows me to clear my head and just write.<\/p>\n Andy Walker \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n Of course, you can use Journal as a journal, but it has other potential uses. It could be a useful travel log, allowing you to include multiple photos and maps in an entry quickly. It could also work as a brain dump tool, a food log, or a more focused project record tool.<\/p>\n Overall, I think Google did a good job with Journal. It\u2019s a fledgling app, but it looks great in its Material 3 Expressive design and offers pretty much everything I could want in a quick-fire journal app.<\/p>\n There are still better options for journaling on Android<\/p>\n Dhruv Bhutani \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n I might like Journal\u2019s simplicity, but you might not. There are more established journaling options on Android if you need more features. For instance, Journal doesn\u2019t have a voice note feature, which seems strange. It also lacks habit tracking, a feature many bullet journal enthusiasts consider essential.<\/p>\n Here are a few Google Journal alternatives (or useful partners) you might want to check out:<\/p>\n Habitica: Gamifying chores and tasks, Habitica<\/a> encourages users to perform tasks and develop habits. It\u2019s not strictly a journaling app, but complements an app like Journal really well. If you don\u2019t own a Pixel 10 phone, I suggest installing Journal. The app works well without its built-in AI features and gets to the core of journaling. This might be my way back into journaling, and I\u2019m excited to see how Google develops and hopefully broadens the app\u2019s availability in the coming years.<\/p>\n![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/google-journal-apkmirror-1.jpg\"\/ "\\"google")
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\nNext, open your web browser. Visit the Google Journal listing<\/a> on APK Mirror and hit the orange Download APK bundle icon.
\nNow, open APKMirror Installer > Browse files, go to your Download folder, and you\u2019ll find the Journal installation file with a green APKM logo beneath it. Select it, then tap Install package.
\nAPKMirror Installer does have ads, unfortunately. So you can either subscribe to remove the ads or Watch ad and install app. I recommend the latter.
\nAfter the ad completes, a pop-up will appear asking if you want to install Journal. Choose Install.
\nOnce the app is installed, tap Open app to get journaling.<\/p>\n![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/google-journal-on-samsung-phone-2.jpg\"\/ "\\"google")
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<\/p>\n![\"Notion](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Notion-templates.jpg\"\/ "\\"Notion")
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\nDaylio: With a colorful interface and a focus on moods, Daylio<\/a> helps connect daily activities with mental health. Like Journal, you can upload photos, select a mood, and write a brief entry.
\nJourney: Journey<\/a> is like Journal all grown up, with more organizational features like tagging, a built-in mood tracker, and platform availability beyond Pixel devices.
\nDay One: If you need a collaborative journal shared with family or friends, Day One<\/a> is a great option. It includes custom writing templates and a clean interface.
\nNotion: Not strictly a journaling app, Notion is highly adaptable and customizable. It offers dedicated journal templates with habit tracking options, or you can build your own.<\/p>\n