Along with the standard security improvements and bug fixes, every iOS update brings with it a whole host of fun new features.
This was certainly the case last December, when Apple launched iOS 17.2 - which had the new Journal app, which the tech giant described as 'an all-new way to reflect on life’s moments and preserve your memories'.
It's essentially a high tech way to record your daily life, complete with words, images and audio recordings.
Journal was pre-loaded, meaning once you downloaded the new update, it would automatically appear on your iPhone.
Advert
It can even lend a hand if you're new to journaling - with Journaling Suggestions turned on, the app makes 'personalized suggestions based on your recent outings, music, workouts, and more', Apple says.
However, one aspect of the app has been causing a bit of a stir online. It's the 'Discoverable by Others' aspect of the app, which is turned on by default.
Essentially, it uses Bluetooth to detect the number of devices around you who have their Journal app settings turned on, and vice versa.
Does that mean it's saving people's contact details to your phone, and potentially sharing yours with other devices?
Advert
In short, no - it's really nothing to be nervous about.
'Journaling Suggestions uses Bluetooth to detect the number of devices and contacts around you without storing which of these specific contacts were around,' Apple says.
'This information is used to improve and prioritize your suggestions. It is stored on device, and is not shared with Apple.'
Plus, it's super easy to turn off if you don't fancy it.
Apple adds: 'You can also control whether your contacts include you in their number of nearby contacts by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Journaling Suggestions, then tapping to turn off Discoverable by Others.
Advert
'If you disable Discoverable by Others and choose not to be included in your contacts’ counts, Prefer Suggestions with Others will also be disabled and Journaling Suggestions will not detect how many devices and contacts are around you to improve or prioritize your suggestions.'
Apple is super hot on security, so you can be sure the same attention has been given to the Journal app. The tech giant notes that when your iPhone is locked with a passcode, entries in the Journal app are encrypted. And if you have two-factor authentication and a passcode, entries in the Journal app are end-to-end encrypted when stored in iCloud - so even Apple can't take a peek at what you might have been writing.
Still not enough? Well, you can easily switch on secondary authentication, locking the Journal app with a passcode, Face ID or Touch ID - meaning no one will have any idea what you're noting down there.
Featured Image Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty