How to export your Day One journal (and back it up)
Whether you are switching apps, leaving a subscription, or just want a copy of your writing that nobody can take away, exporting your Day One journal is quick once you know which format to pick. Here is the clear version for 2026.
The short version: to back up everything, export as Day One JSON, which gives you a ZIP containing a JSON file of your entries plus optional media folders. On Mac, use File then Export; on iOS, use Settings then Import/Export; on Windows and the web, open Journal Settings then Export Journal. Choose PDF for something readable, Markdown for portable plain text, and CSV for a simple spreadsheet of entry text and dates. Keep the ZIP somewhere outside the app so your journal is always yours.
Pick the right export format first
Day One offers a few formats, and the right one depends on what you are trying to do. Choose once, deliberately, and the steps that follow are easy.
| Format | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Day One JSON | A complete backup or moving to another app | A ZIP with a JSON file of all entries, plus optional photos, videos, audio, and PDF folders. Day One's recommended format for re-importing. |
| Reading, printing, or sharing | Formatted text with photos inline, in Letter, A4, or A3. Mac and iOS only. | |
| Plain Text / Markdown | Portable text in any editor | A ZIP of entries. On Mac and iOS it keeps Markdown like bold and italic; Android strips formatting. Photos not included. |
| CSV | A simple spreadsheet view | Entry text and the date. iOS and Android only. |
How to export on each device
Day One runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad, the web, and a native Windows app. The export lives in a slightly different place on each, so here is the exact path for all four.
On a Mac
Open Day One. To export everything, go to File › Export and choose your format. To export one journal, right-click it in the sidebar and choose Export. To export specific entries, switch to List view, select entries with Command or Shift click, then right-click and choose Export.
On iPhone or iPad
Open Day One and go to Settings › Import/Export. Select the journal, set a date range if you want, and choose your format. For a single entry, swipe the entry, tap More, and use the share options, which include a Markdown export.
On Windows
Select the journal, then open Edit Journal › Journal Settings › Export Journal and choose Export Journal JSON File. For a single entry, open it, use the three-dots menu, and choose Export. Note that PDF export is not offered on Windows; use JSON here.
On the web
Open the journal, go to Journal Settings › Export Journal, and export JSON. For a single entry, open it, use the three-dots menu, and choose Export. Like Windows, the web app does not offer PDF directly.
Getting a PDF on Windows or the web
PDF export is a Mac and iOS feature. If you are on Windows or the web and want a PDF, there is a clean workaround: open the entry in the Web App and use your browser's Print, then choose Save as PDF. This is also the fix if a table does not render properly in an iOS PDF export.
Make it a real backup, not a one-time export
An export only protects you if you keep it somewhere safe and refresh it now and then. A simple, durable routine:
- Export a full Day One JSON ZIP every few months, and always before a big change like switching devices or cancelling a plan.
- Store the ZIP outside the app: a cloud drive, an external disk, or both. One copy in one place is not a backup.
- Open the ZIP after each export and check it actually contains your entries and media.
- Keep at least one older export around, so a corrupted recent file is never your only copy.
Your journal is years of your own life. It is worth the ten minutes it takes to make sure no single account, device, or company can ever be the only thing standing between you and your words.
Thinking about where to keep your journal next
Exporting is also the first step if you are considering a different home for your writing. Once you have a Day One JSON ZIP in hand, your entries are portable and yours to take anywhere.
If you are weighing options, we keep two honest pages for exactly this: a step-by-step guide to importing your Day One journal into Innerholm, and a fair, side-by-side Innerholm vs Day One comparison. No pressure, just the facts to decide with.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Day One export format?
For a complete, future-proof backup, export as Day One JSON. It produces a ZIP that holds a JSON file of your entries plus optional media folders for photos, videos, audio, and PDFs, and it is the format Day One itself recommends for re-importing archived data. Use PDF if you mainly want something readable or printable, and Markdown if you want plain, portable text files. JSON is the one to keep as your master backup.
How do I export Day One on a Mac?
Open Day One on your Mac. To export everything, go to File then Export and choose your format, such as Day One JSON. To export one journal, right-click the journal in the sidebar and choose Export. To export specific entries, switch to List view, select entries with Command or Shift click, then right-click and choose Export. Save the resulting file somewhere safe.
Can I export Day One as a PDF on Windows or the web?
Not directly. PDF export is available on Mac and iOS but not in the Day One Web App or the Windows app. The workaround is to open an entry in the Web App and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. For a full backup on Windows or the web, export Day One JSON instead, which both platforms support.
Why is my Day One export a 0-byte or empty ZIP?
A JSON export from the Day One Web App or Windows app sometimes downloads as a 0-byte, empty ZIP. This is a known issue Day One has been investigating. If it happens, try exporting from the Mac or iOS app instead, export a smaller date range, or retry after updating the app. Always open the ZIP and confirm it contains your entries before you rely on it as a backup.
How often should I back up my Day One journal?
Treat an export like a backup, not a one-time chore. A good rhythm is a full Day One JSON export every few months, plus one before any big change: switching devices, cancelling a subscription, or trying another app. Keep the ZIP somewhere outside the app, such as a cloud drive or an external disk, so a single account or device problem can never take your writing with it.
← Back to blog · Also read: Import Day One into Innerholm · Innerholm vs Day One