App dossier · Social
BeReal
Developer: BeReal
- US App Store rating13+
- Google Play ratingTeen
A photo-sharing app built around everyday moments and prompts to post. A teen may use it to check in with friends rather than make a polished feed. A spontaneous picture can still reveal a location, school timetable or someone who did not agree to be photographed.
Official store icon identified from the store listing artwork (opens in new tab). Icon is shown to identify the app; trademark belongs to BeReal.
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The essentials
Age, contact, spending
Minimum age
At least 13 under BeReal’s terms; parental consent may also be needed below the local age of consent.
Age check
Account age information and the terms establish eligibility. This briefing does not independently verify a universal identity check for every account.
Who can contact teens
Accepted friends and the chosen audience can interact with posts. Review friend requests and reactions rather than assuming every account is someone from school.
Disappearing content
The daily format is not a guarantee that photos vanish everywhere. Memories, screenshots or recipients’ copies can outlast the current post.
Public content
Choose the audience at posting and review the audience of existing posts. Do not assume every spontaneous photo is restricted to close friends.
Spending
The checked US iOS listing is free and did not show an in-app purchase section. Advertising and branded content can still encourage spending outside the app; this is not a guarantee about every region or future version.
Store stats
By the numbers
US App Store
4.77 stars from 1,159,038 ratings, as of October 8, 2026. Apple listing (opens in new tab)
Google Play downloads
10M+ as of October 8, 2026. Google Play listing (opens in new tab)
Official controls
How to set them up
Review audience and account settings
Before sending a BeReal, tap the audience option and select the intended audience. Review existing posts and location permissions together. No dedicated linked-parent dashboard is independently established by the sources used here.
Official instructions → (opens in new tab)
Privacy
What gets shared
Review location sharing, camera access and who appears in the background. BeReal’s privacy policy describes personal-data processing and says the service is not meant for under-13s.
Safety
What parents should know
- BeReal’s community standards prohibit sharing nonpublic personal information without consent.
- The company provides reporting and blocking. Authentic-looking everyday photos can still expose private details or invite unwanted attention.
Safeguards described here are reported by the company in its own materials (see BeReal: official safety, eligibility or parent guidance (opens in new tab)). They are not independent safety guarantees, and Lowkey has not tested them.
Decoder
Slang you will hear
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Get the free weekly briefing.
One email a week — what you need to know about your teens world.
Your teen won’t explain it. We will.
Your email goes to Substack under its privacy policy. You may need to finish signup there. Subscribe directly on Substack.
Want more? Go paid: $9/month or $75/year.