You have mastered Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You are finally ready to tackle TikTok. But don’t relax – there’s a hot new social media app in the villa. Gen Z is thrilled about it, but what is BeReal?
Unlike its alternatives, BeReal offers an unfiltered, unplanned social experience. In some ways, the app combines the freedom of the early days of Instagram (with the exception of the Valencia filter) and the candid vibe of TikTok.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about BeReal, including what it is, how it works, and how it’s different.
What is Bereal?
BeReal is a photo sharing app that invites users to post one unfiltered photo per day.
BeReal was launched at the end of 2019, but its popularity began to skyrocket in mid-2022. It is currently the top social networking app on the App Store with approximately 29.5 million installs.
How does BeReal work?
BeReal app sends a push notification – ⚠️ BeReal time. ⚠️ – to all users at a random time every day. Users in the same time zone receive an alert at the same time. They then have two minutes to take a photo and share it with their followers.
And it’s not just one photo. BeReal uses your front and rear cameras to take selfies at the same time as you are taking them. So if you’re used to the beauty filter, be prepared: the app has no photo editing features.
The two-minute countdown means no planning, preparation, or content grouping. You just share what you’re doing when the notification arrives – it could be 11am one day and 4pm the next day.
You can retake your photos within a two-minute window, but your followers will know if (and how many times) you do so. If you miss the deadline, you will still be able to post, but your BeReal will be marked as “posted late”.
me when i post my post an hour late pic.twitter.com/xjU4utW0Ps
— call (@colinvdijk) July 19, 2022
Once you’ve published your BeReal, you’ll be able to view your friends’ photos and see what they’re up to. Unlike any other social platform, there is no way to simply like other photos – if you want to participate in a post, you need to take a reaction selfie or write a comment.
And if you’re a lurker, you’re out of luck. You can still use the app, but you won’t be able to view your friends’ photos without posting your own.
How to get started with BeReal
Ready to take the plunge? Follow our simple guide to get started with the app.
1. Create an account BeReal is available for both Android and iOS users, so download the app first. To create an account, you will need to enter your phone number, full name, birthday, and username.
2. Chat with your friends Once you’ve created an account and signed in, you can sync your contacts to find your friends on the app.
3. Take your first BeReal BeReal will prompt you to take a picture as soon as you create an account. Click on the notification and take your first photo within two minutes.
4. Add a caption and share your photo. After adding the caption, you can choose whether you want to share your photo with everyone or just your friends. Click Submit to post!
5. Start Exploring Once you’ve shared your first BeReal, you can browse more photos in the Discovery section. You can respond to posts with selfies using emojis in the bottom left corner.
What is the attraction of BeReal?
BeReal content may seem mundane, but that’s the point. So far, this is not for influencers or advertisers – users are on the app to connect with friends.
In fact, BeReal’s terms expressly prohibit the use of the application for promotional or commercial purposes.
listen, we are in the golden age bereal. no ads, no parents, we still get an adrenaline rush when ⚠️ goes offline. none of these things will last. we have to enjoy the moment
— Jacob Rickard (@producerjacob) July 20, 2022
Of course, novelty is definitely part of the appeal (remember Peach? RIP). But the app’s approach feels like a fresh take on the overly curated content that dominates most social media.