**BeReal — The App That Changed Social Media Rules** If you sit with young people in Saudi Arabia today, you’ll hear the phrase “BeReal time” repeated every day. The French app launched in 2020 and went viral worldwide in 2020, has arrived in Saudi Arabia with full force. Its idea is simple: **no filters, no editing, no acting — just one authentic moment captured in real time.**
What’s the idea behind “BeReal time”?
Every day at a random time (between 7 AM and 12 AM Saudi time), you get a notification: “⚡️ BeReal time.” You have only 2 minutes to open the app and take a photo. The camera opens automatically: the back camera captures what’s in front of you, and the front camera captures your face — two photos in one. You can’t upload from your gallery, you can’t edit, and you can’t be late (if you are, it’ll say “late” next to your photo).
Features that made Saudis fall in love with BeReal:
- RealMoji (emoji reactions from your own photos): Instead of a like or heart, you take a real reaction photo (laughing, surprised, impressed) and send it as a thumbnail over your friend’s photo. This makes interactions genuine and eliminates fake “likes.”
- Bonus BeReal photos: If you take your photo within the 2 minutes, you earn 2 extra photos that you can post anytime later that day. This encourages people to stay on schedule.
- Memories: Your photos don’t disappear after 24 hours. They’re automatically saved in your “Memories” section, where you can revisit them anytime and even create a year-end video recap.
- Music sharing (Spotify): You can link your Spotify and display the song you’re listening to at the moment of the photo — adding context to your moment.
- True privacy: Your photos only appear to strangers if you allow “friends of friends.” No private messages, no follower counts, no algorithm pressuring you.
What sets it apart from Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok?
| Feature | BeReal | Instagram / Snapchat / TikTok |
|---|---|---|
| Filters / Editing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Posting Time | Random, once per day | Any time, no limits |
| Likes / Followers | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Pressure to appear “perfect” | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Interaction | Real photos (RealMoji) | Emojis / Likes |
| Privacy by default | ✅ Friends only | ❌ Usually public |
How to download and use it in Saudi Arabia?
1. Download the app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) — search “BeReal.”
2. Sign up with your mobile number (you’ll receive an SMS verification code).
3. Add friends from your contacts or by searching their username.
4. Wait for the daily notification and snap your moment within 2 minutes.
5. Check your friends’ photos and reply with RealMoji.
Tip for Saudis: Turn off “Location” in the app’s privacy settings so it doesn’t share your location automatically. The app has no ads and no commercial use — the founders stated it’s a “hosting company,” not an ad platform.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When does “BeReal time” happen in Saudi Arabia?
A: The time changes daily at random between 7:00 AM and 12:00 AM Riyadh time. You can’t change it.
Q: What happens if I don’t take the photo within 2 minutes?
A: You can still take it later, but it’ll say “late by X minutes/hours” next to your photo, and you’ll lose the bonus photos for the day.
Q: Can I delete a photo I’ve posted?
A: Yes, tap the three dots on your photo and choose “Delete” — but only before the 24-hour window expires.
Q: Is the app free? Are there ads?
A: 100% free, no ads, no in-app purchases, no “premium” version.
Q: Can I use it for business or promotion?
A: No. The Terms of Use prohibit commercial use. Some brands have experimented with it unofficially (behind-the-scenes), but there are no official business tools.
Q: Where can I find my old photos?
A: In the “Memories” tab (clock icon) — all your photos are automatically saved there.
Q: What if I forget my password?
A: Tap “Forgot password” on the login screen, and you’ll receive an SMS code on your registered number.
In short:
BeReal isn’t a “trend that will fade” — it’s redefining social media from “fake perfection” to “authentic reality.” In Saudi Arabia, it has become part of young people’s daily routine. If you want to see your friends’ real lives…
Real without filters, download and try it. ⚡️ #سوشيال_ميديا #شروحات #BeReal #السعودية #تطبيقات
