A change has not appeared on another device
- Confirm both devices are signed into the intended iCloud account and The Gift Journal has the expected iCloud capability/state.
- Open Settings → Privacy & iCloud.
- Review the sync status rather than creating a replacement journal immediately.
- Use Sync Now.
- Allow time for CloudKit connectivity.
- If an account-change/conflict choice appears, read it carefully before choosing a side.
- If the problem persists, use Copy sync diagnostics / Support & Feedback rather than deleting data.
A deleted record came back
Do not repeatedly delete/recreate records. Capture diagnostics and report the problem. The journal maintains deletion ancestry specifically to prevent an older device from resurrecting deleted content.
Notifications are missing
- Open Settings → Reminders.
- Confirm notifications are allowed.
- Confirm the Occasion reminder is not Off.
- Tap Refresh reminder schedule.
- Open the system Notification settings if permission/state is unclear.
A reminder appeared on iPhone rather than Watch
Apple decides notification delivery between paired devices. Confirm the Watch is unlocked/on wrist and normal Apple notification mirroring/routing is configured. The Gift Journal does not run a second independent Watch scheduler.
Watch capture is waiting for iPhone
- Keep the paired devices near each other and restore connectivity.
- Open The Gift Journal on iPhone and Watch if necessary.
- Allow the durable outbox to return the capture.
- Do not re-dictate immediately unless you confirm the first capture truly failed, or you may create a duplicate.
Continue on Apple Watch did not open the Watch app
This is expected. iPhone prepares/sends or queues the destination but cannot force-launch the watchOS app. Open The Gift Journal on Watch and look for From iPhone.
A protected item shows only “Protected item”
- Select it.
- Authenticate when prompted.
- If authentication was cancelled or the item re-locked, authenticate again.
This redaction is intentional.
A protected item is missing from export
That is the default privacy behaviour. To include it in Portable Journal Export, enable Include protected items and authenticate during that export.
I need to recover my journal
Use a Full journal backup for restoration. Do not expect Portable Journal Export v1 to import back into the app; portable import is not part of v1.0.
Contact import cannot see everyone
Review the Contacts permission granted to The Gift Journal in iOS/macOS Settings. The app can only present contacts Apple has authorised it to access.
Safari Quick Add is not available — v1.9
- Launch The Gift Journal for Mac at least once.
- Open Safari → Settings → Extensions and enable Save to The Gift Journal.
- In The Gift Journal Mac Settings, open Save from Safari and use Refresh status.
- If a queued page is still present after you cancelled Review, that is expected: Cancel is non-destructive. Use Save to consume it into the journal or an explicit confirmed Remove to discard it.
A product link does not open
Edit the Gift Idea and check that the saved URL is complete and valid. The Gift Journal stores the link; availability/content at the external website is controlled by that website.