BeReal: A Practical Guide for Everyday Sharing
BeReal has quickly become a popular way to capture and share moments as they unfold. Unlike traditional social platforms that emphasize polished posts and carefully staged images, BeReal invites you to reveal a slice of real life with little to no editing. If you’re new to the app or looking to optimize your BeReal experience, this guide covers the fundamentals, daily usage, privacy considerations, and practical tips to help you connect with friends in a more genuine way.
What is BeReal?
BeReal is a social networking app designed around authenticity. Each day at a random time, BeReal sends a notification prompting you to snap a quick photo showing what you’re doing at that moment. The key idea is to capture a real-life scene without the pressure of curating a perfect image. Your BeReal post consists of two photos taken at roughly the same moment—one from the front camera and one from the rear camera—creating a simple, honest snapshot of your day. The feed typically shows your friends’ BeReal posts in a chronological, unfiltered stream, encouraging spontaneous sharing rather than highly edited content.
How BeReal works
Understanding the core workflow helps you participate without friction. Here are the essential steps and concepts you’ll encounter when using BeReal.
Daily prompt and the 2-minute window
Every day, BeReal pushes a prompt at a random time. When you receive the notification, you have a short window (usually about two minutes) to take and post your BeReal. If you miss the window, you can still post later, but the moment will be captured without the reminder, which keeps the experience spontaneous. The clock is part of the design—embrace the moment rather than overthinking it.
Two-photo capture and camera options
BeReal uses your device’s front and back cameras to capture two simultaneous images. Depending on your device, you may see a split view or a combined screen prompting you to switch between cameras. The goal is to present two perspectives of your current activity—what you look like and what you’re doing. You don’t need to stage anything fancy; even a simple scene can reveal something authentic about your day.
Posting and visibility
After you capture the two photos, you can add a short caption if you like. The default audience is your BeReal friends—people you’ve connected with in the app. Your post appears in your friends’ feeds as well as your own profile. BeReal’s design emphasizes real-time sharing with people you know, rather than building a broad public audience.
Discover and engagement
Beyond your friends’ BeReal posts, the app offers a Discover section where you can see BeReal moments from people outside your immediate circle. This feature is optional and can help you explore different daily routines, cities, and cultures. You can react to posts with quick feedback, which can be a light way to acknowledge someone’s moment without leaving a long comment.
Getting started
If you’re new to BeReal, these practical steps will help you set up quickly and start posting with confidence.
1. Install and sign up
Download BeReal from your device’s app store and follow the on-screen prompts to create an account. You’ll typically provide a phone number or email, choose a username, and set a password. You can also import contacts to find friends who are already using BeReal, though this step is optional. Take a moment to personalize your profile with a simple bio or emoji that reflects your personality.
2. Connect with friends
BeReal centers on your real-world connections. Start by adding friends from your contact list or by occasionally searching for people you know from work, school, or social circles. When you add friends, you’ll begin to see their BeReal moments in your feed, and they’ll see yours. The app’s tone remains friendly and low-pressure, which makes it easy to participate even if you’re not posting every day.
3. Tweak privacy and sharing settings
Privacy is a key consideration for BeReal. You’ll have control over who can see your posts and, in many cases, whether location data is attached to your BeReal. Review your settings to decide if you want to share location information with your friends or keep it hidden. If you value privacy, you can keep your BeReal feed limited to your friends while exploring the Discover tab sparingly.
BeReal best practices: taking better moments
To make the most of BeReal, consider these practical tips. They help you participate consistently and share moments that feel genuine without becoming overthought or awkward.
Be natural, not perfect
Authenticity shines through when you’re relaxed. Don’t stress about lighting, framing, or editing. A candid moment—sitting on a couch, cooking a simple meal, or a quick snapshot during a daily routine—often resonates more than a polished shot. The appeal of BeReal lies in the imperfect, everyday scenes that reflect real life.
Keep your camera ready
Since you have a limited window to post, it helps to have your phone readily accessible and be prepared to capture a moment quickly. A fast, natural approach saves you from missing the prompt or forcing a scene that feels artificial.
Use captions to share context
A short caption can add context without turning your post into a lengthy description. A line or two about what you’re doing or why you’re sharing can invite friendly engagement from your friends without changing the tone of spontaneity.
Engage thoughtfully
Interacting with friends’ posts—whether by a simple reaction or a brief comment—helps cultivate a sense of community. Keep responses kind and light, focusing on what you find relatable about each moment.
Privacy, safety, and responsible use
As with any social app, BeReal users should consider privacy and safety. The app’s design encourages sharing moments with people you know, but it’s still important to protect personal information and boundaries.
- Review location settings: If you don’t want your exact location to be shared, disable location data in the BeReal settings or on your device.
- Be mindful of what you share: Even in casual posts, avoid disclosing sensitive personal information, such as home addresses, travel plans, or work details that could compromise safety.
- Control visibility: If you’re uncomfortable sharing with certain people, adjust your followers or friends list accordingly. You can curate your BeReal circle to match your comfort level.
- Digital wellbeing: If BeReal starts to feel overwhelming, give yourself breaks or mute notifications for a while. A healthy balance helps you enjoy the experience more.
Notifications and settings to tailor your BeReal experience
Customizing your notifications helps you stay engaged without being overwhelmed. Consider adjusting the frequency and timing of prompts, choosing whether you want reminders only for BeReal moments or for other in-app notifications as well. You can also manage who can react to your posts and whether notifications appear for Discover activity. A thoughtful setup ensures BeReal remains a light, enjoyable daily ritual rather than a source of stress.
BeReal for different contexts
BeReal isn’t limited to casual moments. Many people use it to capture everyday life across various contexts—family gatherings, travel days, study sessions, or a quick snapshot from a work desk. The key is to stay true to the app’s spirit: a genuine glimpse into daily life. Regardless of your reason for posting, consistency and honesty tend to resonate with friends on BeReal, creating a more meaningful sense of connection than carefully curated feeds.
Common questions about BeReal
Here are a few quick answers to typical questions new users ask about BeReal. If something isn’t covered here, the app’s help section often provides up-to-date guidance tailored to your device.
- Can I post late if I miss the daily prompt?
- How do I customize who can see my BeReal posts?
- Is there a way to delete a BeReal after posting?
- Can I view BeReal posts from people outside my friends network?
- What should I do if I notice someone misusing BeReal?
While the specifics may evolve with app updates, the general approach remains consistent: BeReal centers on authentic moments, a simple two-photo format, and a casual, friendly community. If you’re curious about a particular feature, check the latest in-app guidance or the official BeReal help resources for the most current details.
Conclusion: embracing everyday authenticity with BeReal
BeReal offers a refreshing alternative to highly edited feeds by encouraging spontaneous, real-life moments shared among friends. By understanding the core workflow—daily prompts, two-camera captures, and a friendly, privacy-conscious environment—you can participate more confidently and enjoy a more genuine online experience. Remember to stay true to your daily life, engage kindly with others, and tune your settings to suit your comfort and privacy preferences. With these practices, BeReal becomes less about chasing perfection and more about valuing real moments and the everyday connections that come with them.
