BeReal

What is BeReal?

BeReal is a social media application that challenges the highly curated nature of traditional social platforms by prompting users to share authentic, unfiltered moments from their daily lives. Launched in 2020 by French entrepreneurs Alexis Barreyat and Kevin Perreau, BeReal gained massive popularity in 2022 and has since become a cultural phenomenon, particularly among Gen Z users seeking more genuine social connections.

The app’s core concept is refreshingly simple: once a day, at a random time, all users receive a notification to capture and share a photo within two minutes. The app simultaneously uses both front and back cameras to show what you’re doing and your reaction, preventing users from staging perfect shots. This time-limited, dual-camera approach encourages authenticity by capturing real moments rather than carefully constructed highlights.

Key Features

• Daily Random Notification: Receive one notification per day at an unpredictable time to capture your moment
• Two-Minute Window: Limited time to take your photo encourages spontaneity over perfection
• Dual Camera Capture: Front and back cameras fire simultaneously for context and reaction
• No Filters: Photos cannot be filtered or edited, promoting authenticity
• RealMoji Reactions: React to friends’ posts with selfie-based emoji reactions
• Discovery Feed: Browse BeReals from users worldwide in the Discovery section
• Memory Calendar: View your past BeReals organized by date
• Late Posts: Post after the two-minute window with a “late” indicator
• Location Sharing: Optional location tag showing where you captured your BeReal
• Friend Requests: Connect with friends to see their daily moments

What’s New

BeReal has introduced several updates to enhance the experience:

• BeReal+: Premium subscription with additional features and bonus BeReals
• Multiple Daily Posts: Option to post more than once per day with subscription
• Improved Discovery: Better algorithms for finding interesting content globally
• Video BeReals: Short video clips in addition to photos
• Enhanced Reactions: More RealMoji options and reaction features
• Group BeReals: Share moments with specific friend groups
• Widget Support: Home screen widget showing friends’ latest BeReals
• Performance Improvements: Faster app loading and camera response

System Requirements

iOS

• iOS 14.0 or later
• iPhone 6s or newer
• 100 MB available storage
• Camera and notification permissions required

Android

• Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later
• Dual camera capability recommended
• 100 MB available storage
• Google Play Services required

How to Install BeReal

iOS Installation

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone
2. Search for “BeReal” in the search bar
3. Tap Get and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID
4. Wait for download and installation
5. Open BeReal and create your account
6. Enable notifications to receive daily prompts

# Direct App Store link
# https://apps.apple.com/app/bereal-your-friends-for-real/id1459645446

# After installation:
# Settings > BeReal > Notifications > Enable All
# Settings > BeReal > Camera > Allow
# Settings > BeReal > Location > While Using (optional)

Android Installation

1. Open Google Play Store
2. Search for “BeReal”
3. Tap Install
4. Open the app after installation
5. Create account with phone number
6. Grant camera and notification permissions

# Direct Play Store link
# https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bereal.ft

# Enable notifications
# Settings > Apps > BeReal > Notifications > Allow

Account Setup

1. Enter your phone number for verification
2. Input the SMS verification code
3. Add your name and birthdate
4. Create your username
5. Add a profile photo
6. Find friends through contacts or username
7. Enable notifications for daily BeReal alerts

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Authenticity First: Promotes real, unfiltered content over curated perfection
• Reduced Pressure: No competition for likes or viral content
• Time Limited: Quick daily interaction prevents endless scrolling
• Mental Health: Less comparison anxiety than traditional social media
• Genuine Connections: See friends’ real daily lives, not highlight reels
• Simple Interface: Clean, focused design without distractions
• Free to Use: Core experience available without payment

Cons

• Limited Interaction: Only one post per day can feel restrictive
• Notification Dependent: Miss the notification, miss the moment
• Privacy Concerns: Dual camera captures unexpected backgrounds
• Late Stigma: Posting late can feel embarrassing or limiting
• Friend Dependency: Less engaging without active friends
• Smaller Network: Fewer users than major platforms
• Battery Usage: Background notifications impact battery life

BeReal vs Alternatives

Who Should Use BeReal?

BeReal is ideal for:

• Authenticity Seekers: Those tired of curated, filtered social media
• Close Friend Groups: Friends wanting to stay connected casually
• Social Media Minimalists: Users wanting less screen time
• Young Adults: Gen Z users embracing anti-perfection culture
• Mental Health Conscious: Those avoiding comparison-driven platforms
• Privacy-Minded: Users preferring friend-only sharing over public posts

BeReal may not be ideal for:

• Content Creators: Limited creative tools and posting flexibility
• Brands and Businesses: No marketing or business features
• Heavy Social Users: Those wanting constant engagement and content
• Photographers: No editing or enhancement capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the BeReal notification?

You can still post after the two-minute window, but your post will be marked as “late” and show how long after the notification you posted. Your friends can see this indicator. Some users embrace late posts while others prefer only posting within the window. You can also choose not to post that day, though you won’t be able to see your friends’ posts until you share yours.

Can I delete or retake my BeReal?

You can retake your BeReal as many times as you want within the capture session, but the app shows how many retakes you used. You can also delete a BeReal after posting, but this removes it permanently. The retake counter promotes authenticity by showing if someone took multiple attempts to get their shot.

Who can see my BeReal posts?

By default, only your accepted friends can see your BeReals. You can optionally post to the Discovery feed, making your BeReal visible to all users worldwide. The app also supports private mode where only mutual friends can send requests. Location data, if enabled, is only visible to your friends.

Does BeReal cost money?

The core BeReal experience is free. In 2024, BeReal introduced BeReal+, a premium subscription offering additional features like unlimited retakes, the ability to post multiple BeReals per day, and early access to new features. However, the essential daily BeReal functionality remains free for all users.

Why do I need to post to see friends’ BeReals?

This is a core design principle of BeReal. You must share your own moment before viewing your friends’ posts to ensure mutual vulnerability and authentic participation. This prevents passive consumption and encourages everyone to participate equally. If you skip a day, you will not have access to that days friend posts.

Final Verdict

BeReal represents a meaningful departure from traditional social media paradigms that prioritize polish over authenticity. Its simple premise of capturing unfiltered daily moments has resonated strongly with users seeking more genuine online connections, particularly younger generations fatigued by the pressure of maintaining perfect online personas.

The app’s constraints are its strengths. The random timing, two-minute window, and dual camera force authenticity in ways that optional “casual” features on other platforms cannot. By removing filters, unlimited posting, and algorithmic feeds, BeReal creates a fundamentally different social experience focused on real life rather than performance.

While BeReal may not replace Instagram or TikTok for those seeking creative expression or entertainment, it fills a unique niche for genuine connection. For users looking to share authentic moments with close friends without the pressure of likes, followers, or perfection, BeReal offers a refreshing and psychologically healthier approach to social networking.