BeReal Safety Settings

BeReal safety settings help parents and eligible young people review photo audiences, location sharing and unwanted contact on BeReal. This guide explains the controls available, their limitations and practical ways to support safer use.

Age Rating and Child Safety Warning

BeReal’s child safety guidance sets a minimum age of 13. It is not for children under 13. The Irish Apple App Store rating is 13+. A store rating and an account minimum describe different things. Neither guarantees suitable content.

Use an accurate birthday. BeReal says reported underage accounts can require an identity document to regain access. Review the official request and privacy information before submitting identification. A phone login code establishes access to a number, not trustworthiness. Never share it with a supposed friend or support agent.

Restrictions Available

Keep photographs within your friends

The audience choice decides who can view a BeReal and carries forward to later posts.

• Take your BeReal and tap the Audience option.
• Select My friends only.
• Check the photograph and location, then tap Send.
• For an existing post, tap your BeReal, open its Three dot menu and choose the audience change option.
• Select My friends only and review future posts too.

Why it matters: These BeReal safety settings avoid the wider friends of friends audience. Nevertheless, approved friends can still copy a photograph. Official guidance

Switch off location before posting

Location sharing reveals where you took a photograph. BeReal starts with sharing off, but remembers an enabled choice for later posts.

• Take your BeReal and review both camera views.
• Tap the Location icon above Send.
• Choose the option to turn location off. On Android, avoid sharing your precise location.
• Check the audience, then tap Send.
• Repeat the check before later posts, especially after changing the setting.

Why it matters: This reduces location disclosure. However, street signs, uniforms and landmarks can still identify where you are. Official guidance

Block an unwanted account

Blocking stops the account viewing your profile and BeReal posts or sending a friend invitation.

• Open the unwanted user’s Profile.
• Tap the Three dot menu at the top right.
• Select Block and confirm any prompt.

Why it matters: Blocking also removes an existing friendship. Nevertheless, it cannot erase copies already made or prevent a different account approaching you. Official guidance

Report posts, comments and group contact

Reporting asks BeReal to investigate harmful material. Use it alongside blocking when someone behaves inappropriately.

• For a post, tap its Three dot menu. For a comment, press and hold the comment.
• Select the Report option.
• Choose the relevant reason and provide safe contextual details.
• For a harmful reaction, tap its RealMoji, open the Three dot menu and select Report. Choose a reason, add safe context and submit. For a profile or group chat, use its Three dot menu and the same report process.

Why it matters: A report alerts the platform, but does not guarantee an immediate outcome. Avoid continuing a harmful exchange while waiting. Official guidance

Stop discovery through your phone number

Phone discovery can connect your account with someone who has your number. BeReal does not display the number to other users.

• Open your Profile and the Settings at the top right.
• Select Privacy.
• Turn off Find me by my phone number.

Why it matters: This closes one discovery route. However, mutual friends and username searches can still connect people with your account. Official guidance

Stop uploading your contacts

Contact syncing shares address book information for friend suggestions.

• Open your Profile and top right Settings.
• Choose Privacy.
• Turn off Contact sync.

Why it matters: You reduce sharing about people in your address book. This does not stop recommendations based on mutual friends or other people’s uploads. Official guidance

Hide an unwanted friend suggestion

Suggestions are recommendations rather than proof that you know or can trust someone.

• Open the Recommended list in the friends area.
• Tap X beside an unwanted suggestion.
• Select Hide and decline unfamiliar requests.

Why it matters: Hiding removes a suggestion. It does not provide the same protection as blocking an account. Official guidance

Remove someone from your friends

A smaller friend list reduces the people who receive friends only photographs.

• Open BeReal and tap the top left Friend icon.
• Select the Friends tab.
• Tap X beside the person.
• Confirm with Delete.

Why it matters: Removing a friendship reduces ongoing access. For harassment, also block and report. Earlier copies remain outside your control. Official guidance

Turn off Behind The Scenes recording

Behind The Scenes records the moments before your photograph. Official guidance says it starts enabled and can include microphone sound.

• Open the camera to take a BeReal.
• Tap BTS On at the top right to switch recording off.
• Check that it shows BTS Off before taking or sending the photograph.
• For a published clip, open your BeReal, tap its Three dot menu, choose Remove BTS and confirm.

Why it matters: This reduces accidental video and sound disclosure. The choice carries forward, but check it again before posting. Removal cannot recall copied clips. Official guidance

Remove yourself from a tag

A tag associates your account with another person’s photograph.

• Tap add/view comments beneath the BeReal.
• Select the bottom left Tag icon. Expand the photograph if the icon is hidden.
• Select the Untag option to remove yourself.

Why it matters: The official guidance says the same post cannot tag you again. However, untagging does not remove your face or the photograph itself. Official guidance

Disable sharing of your listening activity

When a music service is connected, audio sharing starts as Shared. Your choice is saved for future photographs.

• Take your BeReal and tap the Audio icon before posting.
• Choose Disabled to stop sharing what you are listening to.
• Alternatively, choose Private for information visible only to you.
• Review the audience and location before selecting Send.

Why it matters: Music choices can reveal personal interests. This setting does not cancel a music subscription or remove the provider connection. Official guidance

Remove identifying profile photographs

The profile help page says nonfriends can see the profile picture. Do not assume a friends only post audience hides this image.

• On iPhone, open your Profile and tap your Profile picture to enter Edit Profile.
• Tap the picture again and choose Delete Profile Picture.
• On Android, open your Profile, select the Three dot menu and tap your picture to enter Edit Profile.
• Select Update profile picture, then Delete Profile Picture.

Why it matters: Removing a revealing image reduces identifiable information. Other profile details and copies may still identify you. Official guidance

Reduce personal details in your displayed name

The help page describes your full name as visible to every user. Avoid a school name, address or phone number.

• Open your Profile and tap your Profile photo to enter Edit Profile.
• Tap your existing Full name and replace unnecessary personal details.
• Tap Save at the top right.

Why it matters: A restrained name limits disclosures. It does not make the account anonymous or hide mutual connections. Official guidance

Remove a photograph pinned to your profile

Pins keep selected Memories visible to friends beyond the daily photograph.

• Open your Profile and review Pins.
• Press and hold the photograph you want to remove.
• Tap X in the corner of that pinned photograph.

Why it matters: Removing a pin reduces continuing display. It does not delete the underlying Memory or earlier copies. Official guidance

Delete an individual Memory

Memories preserve older photographs and associated activity. Official pages disagree about whether established accounts can switch the entire feature off.

• Open your Profile.
• Under Your Memories, select View all my Memories.
• Open the photograph and select its Three dot menu.
• Choose Delete from Memories and confirm.

Why it matters: This removes the selected saved Memory. Deleting today’s Memory does not delete today’s post. Check pins and shared copies separately. Official guidance

Delete a photograph from the daily feed

Remove a post that discloses private information or includes someone without permission.

• Tap your BeReal to expand it.
• Open the Three dot menu and select Delete my BeReal.
• Choose a reason and tap Yes, I’m sure.
• Confirm the decision.

Why it matters: Deletion removes the post from its feed. Copies can survive. The help page says two deletions prevent another post until the next daily notification. Official guidance

Review advertising and photo analysis consent

The privacy policy describes choices for advertising partners and machine learning analysis. BeReal separately says advertising profiling is disabled for minors.

• Open your Profile and top right Settings.
• Select Privacy, then Modify my consents.
• Review the choices displayed and withdraw optional consent for advertising partner sharing or photo analysis.
• Read the confirmation and check that your intended choices were saved.

Why it matters: These choices address data use rather than photo visibility. Available options may differ by age and country. Do not change a birthday to expose adult controls. Official guidance

Request deletion of your BeReal account

Deleting the app alone leaves an account behind. Download photographs you want to keep before making a deletion request.

• Open your Profile and top right Settings.
• Select Other, then Delete Account.
• Read the notice and confirm only when you intend to close the account.
• Avoid logging back in during the following 15 days, as login cancels deletion.

Why it matters: This starts account closure. Lawful retention and copies held by others can remain. The official help page also provides a web request route. Official guidance

BeReal Safety Settings and Why They Matter

Review BeReal safety settings together, rather than treating one control as complete protection. Location, audience and friend choices protect different information. A friend of a friend may still be a stranger.

For example, an audience choice concerns visibility, while reporting asks a platform to investigate. Neither establishes that another person is trustworthy. Therefore, revisit choices when features or friendships change.

How to Use BeReal Safely

Before posting, keep the audience limited to people you know. BeReal’s audience choice carries forward to later posts, so inspect it each time. Avoid extending a photograph to friends of friends just to unlock their feed.

Look at both camera images before sharing. For example, a front camera selfie can accompany a room view containing addresses, schoolwork or another person. Ask permission before including others.

A notification does not require an immediate photograph. Wait until you are in a safe place and suitably dressed. Also, agree that missing a post or streak never takes priority over school, sleep or road safety.

Essential Safety Advice and Current Concerns

BeReal can still carry bullying, sexual pressure and impersonation through familiar contacts. A more spontaneous photograph does not prove identity or honesty. Refuse requests to show a private room or send an intimate image.

Screenshots and sharing elsewhere can spread a photograph beyond its original audience. Therefore, avoid sending anything you would not want copied. Review group members with the same care as individual friends.

If someone pressures or threatens a young person, stop responding and seek help without blame. Keep safe details without forwarding sexual images involving children. Visit CODA’s helplines and support resources. In immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

Platform Support and Regional Differences

BeReal’s iPhone and Android controls can use different labels. Location options also differ by device. Follow the linked official instructions if your screen changes.

Official pages differ about public discovery and profile visibility. Keep posts friends only and minimise profile details. The Memories help page also differs from the privacy policy about deactivation. Memories guidance describes this limitation. Irish teen account availability and any parent dashboard remain unverified.

Safety Checklist

• Confirm the 13 account minimum and accurate birthday.
• Check both camera views before sharing.
• Keep location off and review the post audience.
• Accept only known friends and inspect group members.
• Know how to Block and Report.
• Agree that a notification can wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these controls guarantee safety?

No. Controls reduce particular risks. However, they cannot prevent every harmful post, copied image or misleading approach. Keep regular conversations and agree how to seek help.

Does deleting the app close my account?

No. Removing the app leaves your account behind. Follow the account deletion instructions above. BeReal’s child safety page says there are no purchases or premium tiers, while its privacy policy mentions billing. Check current availability before assuming either applies.

Should parents review the settings with teenagers?

Yes. Explain each choice and respect age requirements. Also, agree what information stays private and who the teenager can approach when something feels wrong.

Related CODA Guides

• Resources for Parents for family guidance.
• Video Guides for Parents and Children for practical learning.
• Helplines and Support Resources for further help.

References

Age and privacy sources

• child safety. Minimum account age, underage reporting and identification checks.
• Irish Apple App Store: BeReal. Separate Irish store rating and device compatibility.
• Audience. Friends only audiences and persistent post preferences.
• Share your Location. Location sharing choices on iPhone and Android.
• Block a user. Blocking effects and the account review route.

Contact and recording sources

• Report inappropriate content or behavior. Post, comment, reaction, profile and group reporting.
• Control who can find me on BeReal. Stopping discovery through a phone number.
• Contact Syncing. Turning off address book syncing.
• Friend Recommendations. Hiding unwanted recommendations and their discovery limits.
• Remove Friends. Removing a friendship from the Friends tab.

Profile and sharing sources

• Behind The Scenes BTS. Switching off video recording and removing an existing clip.
• Tagging. Removing your account tag from someone else’s photograph.
• BeReal Audio. Shared, Private and Disabled music sharing choices.
• Profile Picture. Removing a profile photograph on iPhone and Android.
• Username Full Name. Editing the publicly displayed name and username.

Stored content and account sources

• Pins. Removing a photograph pinned to a profile.
• Delete a Memory. Deleting individual saved Memories.
• Delete a BeReal. Deleting a daily photograph and reposting limitations.
• BeReal privacy policy. Data use, advertising consent and conflicting feature descriptions.
• Delete your Account. Account closure, the 15 day period and a web request alternative.

Memories source

• Memories. Private saved photographs and the documented deactivation limitation.

About Children of the Digital Age

Children of the Digital Age supports families, schools and communities through online safety education, training and practical guidance. Our guides help you discuss online experiences and build safer habits alongside platform controls.

Send a message

Contact Children of the Digital Age to enquire about online safety education, training or guidance for your family, school or organisation.

Last updated: 10 October 2026