A paper logbook and a log app aren't really competing for the same job anymore. One proves you did the dive to a human standing in front of you; the other keeps a searchable record you can actually use. Most divers end up needing both, just not in equal amounts.
Do instructors still require a physical stamped logbook?
Some do, some don't, and it depends entirely on the shop. A number of instructors still want to see a stamped page before signing off on an advanced course or a specialty, especially in places where verifying a diver's experience level matters for liability reasons. Others accept a printed or screenshotted digital log with a shop stamp added at the counter. If a specific course or trip has a stamped-logbook requirement, it's worth confirming with that operator directly rather than assuming either format is universally fine.
Can a digital log app replace a logbook for insurance purposes?
Usually, but check the fine print first. Dive insurance and liability waivers generally ask for proof of certification level and recent dive experience, not a specific document format. A digital log with dive counts, dates, and depths typically satisfies that. Some insurers or trip operators still want a physical stamp for anything unusual, like a deep or overhead-environment claim, so a diver doing technical or cave diving is more likely to run into a situation where a stamped page still matters.
How do you get a digital log stamped by a dive shop?
Print the relevant pages or pull up the log entry on a phone or tablet, and most shops will stamp either one. A growing number of dive centers keep their own stamp handy specifically because digital logs are common now. The stamp itself isn't verifying the app, it's the shop confirming they witnessed the dive, so the format matters less than having something physical or on-screen to put ink on.
FAQ
Do I need to keep a paper logbook at all if I use an app? Not strictly, unless a specific course, dive shop, or country's regulations ask for one. Plenty of divers go fully digital and never run into a problem.
What happens if my phone breaks and my digital log is lost? Most log apps sync to a cloud account, so a new device usually restores the log. It's worth confirming an app backs up automatically before relying on it as a sole record, since a local-only log with no backup is genuinely a risk.
Will a digital log app work for a dive career, like applying to be a divemaster? Generally yes for the log itself, though a divemaster application also needs a verified dive count and references, which some agencies still prefer to see on paper alongside a digital export.