BeReal: The Authentic Social Media App
BeReal, the latest sensation in the social media world, has taken the US App Store by storm, surpassing even the likes of TikTok and Instagram in downloads. What sets BeReal apart from other social media apps is its unique concept of authenticity. Unlike other platforms that demand picture-perfect images, BeReal encourages users to share casual snapshots of their everyday lives. Let's dive into what BeReal is all about and how you can make the most of it.
What Is BeReal?
BeReal stands out from the crowd due to its refreshing approach. Unlike other social media platforms where you can freely upload multiple photos, BeReal restricts users to one photo per day. Moreover, you can only upload a photo when you receive a notification from BeReal, which can arrive at any random time. You have a mere two minutes to capture a snapshot of your current activity. This unique concept ensures that you get genuine and real-time glimpses into your friends' lives. However, it's not mandatory to upload a photo if you don't feel like it.
Unlike other apps that allow you to edit and apply filters to your photos, BeReal only lets you upload a raw, unedited snapshot. As the notification can arrive at any time, you can't prepare yourself with makeup, perfect lighting, or an ideal background. Furthermore, BeReal doesn't focus on likes or follower counts. It's all about connecting with your friends and discovering what they were up to when the notification was sent.
How to Set Up BeReal
Setting up BeReal is a breeze. All you need to do is verify your phone number and connect with your friends using their phone numbers. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Install the BeReal app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Open the app and tap on “Continue,” then click on the “Get Started” button to begin the setup process.
- Enter your name and tap on “Continue.”
- Provide your date of birth and continue.
- Select your country code and enter your phone number to receive an OTP for verification.
- Enter your desired username and tap on “Continue.”
- Grant the app permission to access your contacts so that BeReal can add your friends to your profile.
- Once you've completed the setup, you'll receive a notification saying “Time to BeReal.” Tap on it to start posting your first BeReal.
- Allow the app to access your camera and location if you wish to share your location with friends along with your BeReal.
Congratulations! You've successfully created a BeReal account and posted your first BeReal.
How to Add Friends on BeReal
The real fun begins when you add friends on BeReal. To do so, follow these simple steps:
- Tap on the people icon located at the top left corner.
- On the next page, you can add friends from your contacts.
- Alternatively, you can search for friends by their username or phone number.
- Open their account and tap on the “Add” button to send them a friend request.
- Remember, you can only become friends on BeReal when both parties add each other. There's no option to send friend requests.
How to Post on BeReal Every Day
Now that you're all set up, it's time to start posting your BeReal photos every day. Here's how:
- When you receive a notification from BeReal, tap on it to open the app.
- BeReal will simultaneously capture a photo from both your front and rear cameras.
- Check your BeReal and tap on the “Send” icon to proceed.
- You can retake your BeReal as many times as you want before the 2-minute countdown ends.
- On the next page, choose whether you want to share your BeReal with just your friends or with everyone.
- You can also choose to share your location and save the post on your device.
- Once you've made your selections, tap on the “Send” icon at the bottom right to publish your BeReal.
- If you wish, you can add a caption to your BeReal by tapping on the “Add a caption” option.
Remember, once you've posted your BeReal, you only have one opportunity to delete and retake it. Make sure it's perfect before sharing it with your friends.
How to Delete Your Posted BeReals
If you ever want to remove a BeReal that you've posted, follow these steps:
- Locate your posted BeReal on the homepage under the “My Friends” section.
- Tap on the kebab menu (three-dot menu) to open the My BeReal page.
- In the My BeReal page, you'll find options to change the visibility of your BeReal, share it on other platforms, and delete it.
- Tap on the “Delete my BeReal” option.
- Select your reason for deleting the BeReal and tap on the “Delete My BeReal” button.
- After deleting, your friends' posts will be blurred, but you can tap on “Post a BeReal” to continue posting as usual.
- Once uploaded, you cannot delete your BeReal again, so make sure to get it right the first time. You can check it by tapping on the kebab menu.
How to Post Comments and Realmoji on BeReal
Engage with your friends by posting comments and Realmojis on their BeReals. Here's how:
- You can only comment on BeReals posted by your friends. However, you can send Realmojis to anyone, even in the discover section.
- Tap on the comment icon or Realmoji icon on a BeReal to leave a comment or send a Realmoji.
- For comments, enter your message and send it. You can also mention other users using “@username.”
- To delete a comment or Realmoji, long-press on it and tap on the delete icon at the top right corner.
What Are Memories and How to Turn Them Off
BeReal introduces a feature called Memories, where your posted BeReals are only visible for 24 hours. You can access your Memories by opening your profile and viewing the calendar-style layout of all your posts. However, other users cannot see all the photos on your profile.
If you wish to disable Memories and remove your previous BeReals, follow these steps:
- Tap on the profile icon at the top right corner.
- Tap on the kebab menu to access Settings.
- Select the “Memories” option under Configurations.
- Tap on “Deactivate Memories.”
This will delete all your previous BeReals, and any BeReals you post moving forward will not be saved under Memories.
How to Block and Unblock Friends on BeReal
In case you need to block or unblock a friend on BeReal, here's what you need to do:
- To block a friend, tap on their username to open their profile.
- On their profile page, tap on the kebab menu and select the “Block” option.
- To unblock a friend, tap on the profile icon at the top right corner.
- Open Settings from the kebab menu.
- Tap on “Blocked profiles” and then tap on the cross icon next to the account you want to unblock.
Time to BeReal
While BeReal has gained immense popularity, it faces a few challenges. Some users may find it less addictive compared to other social media apps. Additionally, as the app evolves, it may introduce more features and monetization options, potentially compromising user data privacy. Furthermore, with Instagram already imitating BeReal, it may be challenging to compete with a well-established platform backed by significant marketing resources and network effects.
BeReal offers a refreshing take on social media, promoting authenticity and real-life connections. Give it a try and see how it enhances your social media experience.

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”