Visual journal
Creating an entry
- Add a photo. Take a new photo with the camera or choose an image through Photos.
- Frame the subject. Isolate the object from the photo, or crop it manually when you want more control.
- Add the details. Enter a title and, if you like, an optional caption.
- Save the entry. It will appear in the Day you are viewing.
Restore camera or photo access
If you previously denied access, open iPhone Settings, choose Apps, choose Pebbles, and enable Camera or adjust Photos access. You can also review these permissions under Settings → Privacy & Security. Return to Pebbles after changing the setting and try adding the photo again.
No sign-in needed
Use Pebbles locally without an account
You do not need to register, sign in, or stay connected to the internet to create and keep a journal on your device. Pebbles creates a cloud profile and uploads journal content only if you activate Pebbles Cloud.
On your devices
Local storage and backups
Journal entries, preferences, and personalized images are stored locally. Widgets use the same protected local app-group data, and the Apple Watch companion receives a device-to-device copy through Apple's WatchConnectivity service.
- Removing an entry or personalized image removes the relevant local copy according to the controls available in Pebbles.
- Depending on your Apple device and backup settings, local Pebbles data may also be included in a device backup managed by Apple.
- Removing Pebbles can remove data that exists only on that device. Review your Apple backup settings before reinstalling if you want to preserve a device backup.
Optional cloud service
Choose a Pebbles Cloud tier
Pebbles Cloud adds private cloud backup, recovery on a new device, synchronization across supported Apple devices, and authenticated sharing of an individual Day.
- Pocket: 3 GB of cloud storage.
- Box: 25 GB of cloud storage.
- Warehouse: 100 GB of cloud storage.
Monthly and annual options within the same tier include the same storage allowance. Apple shows the current localized price before you purchase in Pebbles and on the App Store.
Start Pebbles Cloud
- Open Pebbles Cloud. In Pebbles, open Settings and choose Pebbles Cloud.
- Choose a tier and billing period. Review the storage amount, renewal period, and localized Apple price.
- Complete the Apple purchase. Confirm the StoreKit purchase with your Apple Account.
- Sign in. Continue with Apple or use the passwordless email-code option.
- Complete your profile. Choose a display name and a unique
@username. Pebbles then prepares and synchronizes the local library without deleting it.
Apple-managed subscription
Purchases, restore, cancellation, and refunds
Restore a purchase
Open Settings → Pebbles Cloud and choose Restore Purchases. Make sure the device is signed in to the Apple Account that made the purchase. After Apple finds the subscription, sign in to the Pebbles account connected to your cloud library.
If no active purchase is found, verify the Apple Account shown on the original receipt and check that the subscription is still active.
Manage or cancel
While Pebbles Cloud is active, choose Manage Subscription in Pebbles. You can also open iPhone Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, and select Pebbles Cloud. See Apple's subscription instructions.
A cancellation normally prevents the next renewal. Cloud access follows the subscription status reported by Apple. If access expires, is refunded, or is revoked, cloud synchronization pauses while the journal already on your device remains available locally.
Request a refund
Apple handles payment and refund eligibility for App Store purchases. Use reportaproblem.apple.com or follow Apple's refund instructions.
Backup and synchronization
When Pebbles Cloud is not syncing
- Keep the local copy safe. Do not remove Pebbles while unsynchronized journal content exists only on that device.
- Check the connection. Open Pebbles on the iPhone and keep it connected long enough for pending media and journal changes to finish.
- Check the account. Confirm that you are signed in to the Pebbles account that owns the cloud library.
- Check the subscription. Open Settings → Pebbles Cloud. If needed, choose Restore Purchases using the Apple Account that made the purchase.
- Retry after an error. If Pebbles reports that a Day changed elsewhere, keep the app open while it refreshes and reapplies pending local changes.
If Pebbles says the local library is connected to another cloud account, sign in to that original account. Pebbles does not silently merge one local library into a different account.
Signing out or losing Pebbles Cloud access pauses synchronization but does not intentionally remove the journal already stored on the current device.
Export or share a Day
Sharing from Pebbles
Export an image
When you choose to share, Pebbles presents Apple's system share sheet. You choose the destination and recipient. A shared image is a separate copy handled by the app or service you select.
Share an authenticated Day link
Day links are a Pebbles Cloud feature. First set Day link access to Public in Settings, then open a Day and choose Share Day. Each link grants read-only access to that one Day.
A viewer must have Pebbles installed and sign in, but does not need a Pebbles Cloud subscription or owner profile. If the app is not installed, the website shows only a generic app-opening page and never displays the Day.
To stop access, open the Day and choose Stop sharing this Day. Changing Day link access to Private blocks every Day link without deleting your individual sharing settings.
Profile and cloud data
Account access and cloud-account deletion
Pebbles Cloud owners can sign in with Apple or with a one-time code sent to a verified email address. A new owner also creates a display name and unique @username. People who sign in only to view a shared Day do not need to create an owner profile.
Delete the Pebbles Cloud account
- Open Pebbles Settings.
- Under Account, choose Delete Account.
- Review the warning, then confirm the permanent cloud deletion.
After the request is accepted, Pebbles blocks shared access, starts deleting the account, synced Days, private cloud media, and cloud profile, signs you out, and detaches the cloud account from the device. Deletion is processed asynchronously and cannot be undone.
The ordinary journal already on the current device remains local. Content stored only on another device or only in the cloud will no longer be recoverable after cloud deletion completes.
Cloud-account deletion and Apple subscription cancellation are separate actions. Cancel the subscription through Apple if you do not want it to renew. If Sign in with Apple still lists Pebbles after deletion, you can manage it in iPhone Settings → your name → Sign in with Apple. See Apple's Sign in with Apple instructions.
Companion experiences
Widgets and Apple Watch
Widgets show today's entries and can open Pebbles' add flow. Widgets and the Apple Watch companion use the iPhone's protected local state; they do not need a Pebbles account.
If widget or Watch content looks stale, open Pebbles on the paired iPhone and allow device synchronization to finish, then return to the widget or Watch.
Privacy
How Pebbles handles your information
Pebbles keeps the core journal local unless you activate Pebbles Cloud or intentionally share content. Pebbles Cloud processes the account, subscription, journal, media, and sharing information needed to provide its service. Pebbles does not use this information for advertising or cross-service tracking.
See the Privacy Policy for details about local and cloud storage, purchases, authentication, sharing, providers, retention, and deletion.