Getting Started with DearDiary.Net

Welcome to DearDiary.Net — your private space to write, reflect, and share since 1999. No ads, no tracking, no algorithms. Just you and your thoughts.

1. Create an account

1. Visit DearDiary.Net.
2. Click Start Your Journey on the homepage. On desktop you can also click Sign Up in the top-right corner of the header.
3. Enter your email address and a password, then confirm your password.
4. Optionally upload a profile image.
5. Click Create an account.
6. Check your inbox for a verification email and click the link inside — you'll need to verify before you can log in.

Tip: If the verification email doesn't arrive within a few minutes, check your Junk/Spam folder. You can request a new one from the sign-in form.

You can also sign up using Google or GitHub if you prefer not to use a password.

2. Sign in

1. Click the Log In button on the homepage. On desktop it also appears in the top-right corner of the header.
2. Enter your email address and password, then click Login With Email Address.
3. You'll land on your Dashboard.

If you've set up a passkey on a previous visit, you can sign in with that instead — click Login with Passkey.

Tip: After signing in for the first time, DearDiary.Net will offer to set up a passkey — we recommend saying yes. Passkeys are faster than typing a password, can't be stolen in a data breach, and are phishing-proof. They sync across your devices via iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, or a dedicated password manager such as Bitwarden or NordPass. You can manage your passkeys at any time under Account Settings → PassKeys.

3. Create your first diary

Every entry lives inside a diary. When you first log in you won't have one yet.

1. On your Dashboard, find the My Diaries card.
2. Click Create Your First Diary.
3. Type a title for your diary (e.g. "My Journal", "2026 Thoughts").
4. Free accounts get one private diary. Plus members can create multiple diaries and make them public or followers-only.
5. Click Add Diary.

Your diary is created and selected as your active diary. The header now shows its name.

4. Write your first entry

1. Open the entry editor:
   • On desktop — click the Create New Entry button on the Control Panel card on your Dashboard.
   • On mobile — tap the menu icon (the orange pencil in the middle of the footer bar) to open the popup menu, then tap New Entry.
2. Start typing your entry in the main body area.
3. When you're ready to save, click Details / Save (top right of the editor). A panel opens with three fields:
   • Title — required before the entry can be saved.
   • Privacy — Private (only you), Public, or Followers Only.
   • Date — defaults to today; click it to pick a different date from the calendar.
4. Click Save Entry in the panel to save. If your diary is Public, you can click Save and Notify to let any followers know you've updated. (Only Plus members can have public diaries/entries)

Tip: The Details / Save button turns red when you have unsaved changes, so you always know if something needs saving.

If you've enabled mood or sleep trackers for this diary, small pill buttons appear at the top of the editor where you can log a reading before saving.

5. Explore your dashboard

After saving your first entry, your dashboard will fill with useful cards. On mobile they stack vertically — scroll down to see them all.

6. Your Next steps

• Managing your diaries — create more diaries, switch between them, set themes and privacy
• Writing entries — formatting, images, embeds, trackers and drafts
• Features guide — followers, comments, search, export and more
• Privacy & sharing — who can see your diary and entries