How to use the BeReal app: share your real life

BeReal is a social media app that is all about authenticity. Instead of perfectly posed photos, on BeReal you share a spontaneous snapshot of your day. Every day the app sends a notification at a random time and gives you two minutes to take a photo. In this article we explain how BeReal works and how to get the most out of the app.

What makes BeReal different?

BeReal stands out from other social media because of its focus on being genuine. Where Instagram and TikTok often revolve around perfect pictures and edited videos, BeReal shows what real life looks like.

The core of BeReal

Every day at a random moment, all users get a notification at the same time: "Time to BeReal". You then have two minutes to take a photo with both your front and back camera. That way you share not only what you see, but also what you look like at that moment.

This concept means:

  • No filters: The app has no editing options
  • No perfection: You cannot prepare for the moment
  • Real moments: From breakfast to a work meeting, everything is BeReal-worthy
  • Equal treatment: Everyone gets the same notification, whether you are famous or not

Installing and setting up BeReal

Here is how to get started with BeReal:

Step 1: Download the app

Download BeReal for free from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). The app is available in most countries.

Step 2: Create an account

Open the app and tap 'Get started'. You need to enter the following details:

  • Your name (or nickname)
  • Your date of birth (you must be at least 13 years old)
  • Your phone number for verification

You will receive a text message with a verification code. Enter it to confirm your account.

Step 3: Set your username

Choose a unique username. This is how others can find you in the app. You can change it later.

Step 4: Grant permissions

BeReal asks for permission to access:

  • Camera: Needed to take photos
  • Notifications: Important for receiving the daily BeReal time
  • Contacts: Optional, to find friends who also use BeReal

Make sure you allow notifications, otherwise you will miss the daily moment.

Step 5: Add friends

You can find friends by:

  • Syncing your contact list
  • Searching by username
  • Sharing an invite link

Taking your daily BeReal

The heart of the app is the daily photo. Here is how it works:

Receiving the notification

At a random moment of the day you get a push notification with the text "Time to BeReal. 2 min left to capture a BeReal and see what your friends are up to!"

This moment is different every day and is sent to all users worldwide at the same time. It can be at 7 in the morning, but also at 11 at night.

Taking the photo

When you get the notification:

  1. Open the app within two minutes
  2. The camera opens automatically
  3. Tap the white button to take a photo
  4. The front and back cameras both take a photo at the same time

The large photo shows what your back camera sees (your surroundings), while the small photo in the corner shows your face through the front camera.

Posting late

Missed the two minutes? You can still post a BeReal, but:

  • Your friends will see that you were late
  • The app shows how many minutes or hours later you posted
  • You can only see other people's BeReals after you have posted your own

Viewing the BeReal feed

After posting your own BeReal, you get access to your friends' posts:

Browsing the feed

Scroll through the feed to see your friends' BeReals. For each post you see:

  • The person's name
  • The time they posted
  • Whether they were on time or late
  • The location (if they shared it)

Discovery feed

Besides your friends feed there is the Discovery section. Here you see BeReals from people all over the world. It is a fun way to see what others are doing at the same moment.

Reacting to BeReals

BeReal has a unique way of reacting:

RealMojis

Instead of standard emojis, you react to BeReals with a RealMoji. This is an emoji combined with a photo of your face:

  1. Tap a friend's BeReal
  2. Tap an emoji option at the bottom
  3. Take a photo of your face
  4. Your RealMoji appears below the post

This makes reactions more personal and more fun than regular emojis.

Commenting

You can also leave a text comment on your friends' BeReals. Tap the speech bubble icon to respond.

Memories and archive

BeReal saves all your posts as memories:

Viewing Memories

Go to your profile and tap 'Memories' to see an overview of all your BeReals. You see a calendar view with your photos per day.

Recap video

At the end of the year, BeReal creates a compilation video of all your BeReals. It is a fun way to look back on your year.

Privacy of memories

Your Memories are visible only to you, unless you choose to share them. Old BeReals disappear from the feed after 24 hours but stay saved in your personal archive.

Privacy settings in BeReal

BeReal offers several privacy options:

Who can see your BeReal?

You can choose whether your daily BeReal is visible to:

  • Friends only: Only people you have accepted as friends
  • Discovery: Everyone worldwide can see your BeReal

Sharing your location

You can choose per post whether to share your location. If you turn this on, your friends see a general location indication with your post.

Managing friend requests

You can accept or decline friend requests. Only accepted friends can see your BeReals in the friends feed.

Tips for getting the most out of BeReal

Here are some tips to get the most out of the app:

Be honest

The whole idea of BeReal is authenticity. Do not wait for a more interesting moment or move to a better spot. Post what you are doing at that moment, no matter how boring it seems.

Turn on notifications

To get the real BeReal experience, you need to turn on notifications. That way you will not miss the daily photo call.

Invite friends

BeReal is more fun with friends. Invite people you know, so you can share each other's daily moments.

Check out the Discovery feed

The Discovery section shows what people all over the world are doing. It is fascinating to see what different lives look like at the same moment.

Don't take it too seriously

It is not about perfect photos. A blurry photo of your desk or an unflattering face while you are cooking: that is exactly what BeReal is meant for.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I don't post a BeReal one day?

There are no consequences if you skip a day. You only miss the chance to see your friends' BeReals that day. BeReal does not keep scores and does not penalize you for missing a day. It is completely normal to skip a day now and then, especially on weekends or during vacations.

Can I retake my BeReal if I don't like the first photo?

Yes, you can retake your BeReal, but with limits. You have a limited number of retakes per day. If you use a retake, this is shown to your friends. They then see a notice that you retook the photo. This is done on purpose to protect authenticity, because the idea is that you share the first, spontaneous photo.

Is BeReal free to use?

Yes, BeReal is completely free to download and use. There are no ads in the app and no premium version you have to pay for. The developers want to keep the app accessible to everyone. The business model is still in development, but there are no costs for users to use the app.

Can I use BeReal without giving my phone number?

No, a phone number is required to create a BeReal account. It is used for verification and to prevent people from creating multiple fake accounts. Your phone number is not visible to other users and is only used for the sign-up process. If you are concerned about privacy, you could use a prepaid number to register.