Social media has long been criticized for producing a digital world which feels like a faux. But, amid the clatter of picture-perfect profiles and continuous streams of shallow information, a new social media network has emerged, seeking to defy the status quo and revolutionize how we interact online.
BeReal has established itself as a digital haven for unedited sincerity and true human interactions. It is a social media platform where likes and followers take a backseat to real-time experiences and raw emotions. BeReal provides a space where users can strip away the facade and share their true selves without fear of judgment or comparison.
In this article, we explore the essence of this new platform, how the app works, its unique features, and highlight possible points of concern about this new platform.
What is the BeReal app?
BeReal is a new social media platform that aims to redefine how we connect and interact online. It focuses on authenticity, transparency, and genuine human connections. Unlike other platforms, BeReal encourages users to be their true selves and share their real experiences, thoughts, and emotions without the pressure of curated perfection.
It provides a more authentic and genuine social media experience in a digital age where fake news and filtered lifestyles are prevalent. With BeReal, users can connect with others on a deeper level and build meaningful relationships based on honesty and vulnerability.
How does the BeReal app work?
At random times each day, BeReal sends a push notification to its users with the line “⚠️Time to BeReal⚠️”
From the time you receive this notification, you have a two-minute window to make a post of what you are doing currently. This notification goes off randomly each day, so you can’t prepare ahead for it. It can come off while you are about to sleep, eat or while you are deep in work.
The app uses both the selfie and back cameras simultaneously, and the shots appear together on your screen, allowing people to see your face and activity in one post. If you attempt to retake your photo, BeReal will show the number of retakes on your post.
Each post you make lasts 24 hours, and you will not be able to see other people’s posts until you’ve posted yours. If you miss the two-minute window, you can still make a post, but your friends could see how late you were(after the two-minute window).
Talking about friends, that’s the language BeReal uses to describe your followers, and unlike other social media platforms, it does not have a follower/friend count. Another way this platform differs from others is by using RealMojis for post interactions instead of likes.
How to get started on BeReal
To get started on BeReal, follow these steps:
- Download the BeReal app from the app store on your Android and iOS devices. Install the app and open it.
- Sign up for a new account by providing your full name, phone number, birthday, and user name.
- Log in with your username and password and complete your profile by adding a profile picture, a bio, and any other relevant information you’d like to share.
- Explore the app’s features and settings to customize your experience.
- Connect with friends and family by searching for their usernames or importing contacts from your device.
How does the timing of BeReal work?
Timing is a big deal on BeReal. All the fun fizzles out when you miss the two-minute window we discussed earlier. But the tricky part of timing on this platform is that you have no idea when you will receive the BeReal notification. Your best bet is to rely on what the company says about notifications sent during the daytime in your selected time zone. Every user within the same region gets the post notification simultaneously.
What is the point of BeReal?
The point of BeReal is to provide a social media platform where users can connect with others on a deeper level and build meaningful relationships based on honesty and vulnerability. BeReal encourages authenticity and celebrates imperfections, fostering a sense of acceptance and understanding among its users.
Unlike other platforms focusing on accumulating followers and likes, BeReal values quality over quantity and promotes genuine connections through meaningful interactions and conversations. The app allows users to stay updated with the real-time experiences of their friends and family.
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BeReal’s unique features
Random notifications
Unlike other social media apps where you can just open and keep scrolling at different times of the day, BeReal only allows you to scroll through other people’s posts after you have made your post, and as we said earlier, you can’t just wake up and decide to make a post. You must wait for the push notification at different times each day.
Dual camera mode
While making a post, the app simultaneously activates both the front and back cameras, capturing your face and surroundings. For example, if BeReal’s push notification comes off when you just spilt milk on the floor and you decide to take a picture of the spilt milk for your post, it would not only take a picture of the spilt milk, it would also take a selfie to show the reaction on your face.
Friends
BeReal does not keep a count of your followers, and instead of the word “followers”, the platform uses the word “friends” to describe those you have a connection with on the platform. When you visit any user’s profile on the app, you won’t see the number of friends they have on the platform.
Zero filters
The platform prides itself on fostering authentic relationships, and because of that, the app does not have any image editing or enhancing tool. Your post would appear precisely how you took it in real-time. There is no option to add a glossy filter or hide any part of your post.
RealMojis
Instead of likes, the app allows you to react to your friend’s BeReal with a personalized emoji created by you called RealMojis. You can recreate one of the emojis shown by the app or react using an instant RealMoji.
To create a RealMoji, tap the smiley face icon on the bottom right of the BeReal you want to react to. Choose the RealMoji you want to recreate and tap the white button to imitate the emoji shown to you. Then tap on the RealMoji you created to react to your friend BeReal. You can also save this RealMoji to use another time.
You can also create an instant RealMoji- a one-time live reaction which cannot be saved for re-use. To create one, tap on the smiley face icon on the BeReal post, then tap the lightning bolt icon to take an instant photo of you at that moment as a reaction to the BeReal.
Memories
Every post you make can only last for 24 hours, after which it disappears. You can only view your previous posts in your profile’s memories section; this feature is only visible to the user and cannot be shared outside the app.
Also, at the end of every year, the app makes a video compilation of all your posts from that year available to watch.
Discovery
BeReal has two feeds: your friends and discovery. The discovery feature lets you see other users’ BeReal even if you are not friends. You can also allow your BeReal to appear on others’ discovery feeds by switching your audience from My Friends Only to Discovery.
Is the BeReal app safe?
According to BeReal’s privacy policy, your personal data is only used internally and won’t be shared or sold to third parties without prior consent. Still, it maintains a free license to your content for up to 30 years, meaning it can reuse anything you upload on the platform for up to three decades.
Content moderation on this app is also not the greatest, so it’s easy to find uncensored content on BeReal. Another concern is the geolocation feature that is turned on by default and shows people your current location whenever you post a BeReal.
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Frequently asked questions about BeReal
When did BeReal come out?
Alexis Barreyat and Kevin Perreau launched the BeReal app in December 2019.
How to log into BeReal?
Download and launch the BeReal app on your phone. Enter your name, date of birth and phone number. A code will be sent to your phone number; enter the code to verify your account, and you are in.
How does the timing of BeReal work?
Notifications are sent at random times during daytimes in your time zone.
What time is BeReal today?
You cannot guess the time for BeReal notifications because they are sent out randomly daily.
When does BeReal go off?
The timing for BeReal notifications is unpredictable because they vary each day.
Who can see my BeReal?
BeReal shows your post to your friends who have submitted their own BeReal for the day by default, but you can also decide to make your BeReal show up in other users’ (who are not your friends) discovery feed by changing your audience before posting.
Can you screenshot BeReal?
You can screenshot any post on BeReal, which won’t notify the owner.
Can you delete a BeReal post?
You can only delete your BeReal once a day, and the deleted post is also wiped away from your memories.
How to delete a BeReal account?
Go to your profile and enter the settings page by tapping the icon at the top right corner. Tap on “other” > “Delete Account”. Confirm that you want to delete your account, and you will be back to the sign-up page.
