How to Add Location to Your BeReal: A Step-by-Step Guide

BeReal, the social media app that encourages authenticity by prompting users to share a photo once a day, has quickly gained popularity for its unique approach to social networking. One feature that many users often wonder about is location sharing. While BeReal doesn’t have a built-in, always-on location tracking feature like some other apps, it does allow you to add a location to your daily posts, letting your friends know where you are (or were) when you took your photo. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about adding locations to your BeReal posts, ensuring you can share your experiences more fully with your friends.

Understanding BeReal’s Location Feature

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand how BeReal handles location data. Unlike apps that constantly track your whereabouts, BeReal only uses your location when you specifically choose to add it to a post. This means your privacy is respected, and you have control over whether or not to share your location with each BeReal you post. Location tagging is an optional feature that enhances your posts, giving them more context and letting your friends see where you are in the world (or at least, where you were!).

It’s also worth noting that BeReal’s location feature relies on your device’s location services. So, if you have location services disabled on your phone, you won’t be able to add locations to your BeReals until you enable them. We’ll cover that in the setup process.

Why Add a Location to Your BeReal?

Adding a location to your BeReal can enrich your posts in several ways. Here are a few reasons why you might want to add a location:

• Context: Location adds context to your daily snaps. It helps your friends understand where you are and what you’re up to. Whether you’re at a coffee shop, hiking in the mountains, or just chilling at home, adding a location can tell a more complete story.
• Shared Experiences: If you’re at a cool new place, sharing the location lets your friends know about it, potentially inspiring them to check it out too. It can also spark conversations about your experiences in that location.
• Memories: Location tagging allows you to look back and remember where you were when you posted a specific BeReal. This can be especially fun when reminiscing about past adventures.
• Fun and Engagement: Adding a location can simply be a fun way to engage with the app and your friends. It adds a bit of personalization and can make your posts more interesting.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Location to Your BeReal

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to add a location to your BeReal. The process is quite straightforward, but we’ll cover each step to ensure clarity.

Step 1: Ensure Location Services Are Enabled on Your Device

Before you can add a location to your BeReal, you need to ensure that location services are enabled for your device and for the BeReal app. Here’s how to check and enable them:

For iOS (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open the Settings app: Find the gray gear icon on your home screen and tap it to open your device’s settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Privacy: You’ll find this option near the top of the settings menu.
3. Tap on Location Services: It’s the first option on the Privacy menu.
4. Ensure Location Services are toggled on: The toggle switch at the top of the screen should be green. If it’s gray, tap it to turn it on.
5. Find BeReal in the list of apps: Scroll down to find BeReal listed among your apps.
6. Tap on BeReal: This will open the location settings for the app.
7. Choose “While Using the App” or “Always”: We recommend choosing “While Using the App” for BeReal. This allows the app to access your location only when it’s actively being used. If you choose “Never”, you won’t be able to add locations.

For Android:

1. Open the Settings app: Find the gear icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.
2. Tap on Location: This might be under “Security & Location” or “Biometrics and security”, depending on your Android version.
3. Ensure Location is turned on: If it’s off, tap the toggle switch to turn it on.
4. Tap on App Location Permissions: This option lets you control which apps can access your location.
5. Find BeReal in the list of apps: Scroll down to find the BeReal app.
6. Tap on BeReal: This will open the location settings for the app.
7. Choose “Allow only while using the app” or “Allow all the time”: Similar to iOS, we recommend choosing “Allow only while using the app” for BeReal. “Don’t allow” will prevent location tagging.

Once you’ve ensured location services are enabled, you’re ready to move on to posting your BeReal.

Step 2: Wait for Your BeReal Notification

BeReal is all about spontaneity, so you won’t know exactly when it’s time to post each day. When the BeReal notification arrives, tap on it to open the app. This is your cue to capture your daily post.

Step 3: Take Your BeReal

Once the app is open, you’ll see the front and back camera views. Capture your moment by pressing the shutter button. Remember, you have only a limited time to do this, encouraging authenticity and reducing overthinking!

Step 4: Access the Location Option

After taking your BeReal, you’ll see a preview of your photo. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find a few options, including a small map pin icon. This is the location tagging option. It may appear as a label saying “Add Location” depending on the version of the app you’re using. You should see it next to the options like ‘Friends Only’ and ‘Comment’.

Step 5: Add Your Location

Tap on the map pin icon or the “Add Location” label. This action will trigger your device to access your current location or display a list of nearby locations to choose from. BeReal uses the location data from your device to suggest relevant places. This is why having location services enabled is important. The map on your screen may take a few seconds to load correctly.

Step 6: Select Your Location

From the list of locations, you can either:

• Select a suggested location: If the app accurately identifies your location, simply tap on the name of the place to add it to your BeReal.
• Search for a specific location: If the app doesn’t show the right location, you can use the search bar at the top to type in the name of the place. As you type, the app will provide suggestions, making it easy to find the exact location.
• Pick a location on the Map: Sometimes, a location may not be listed correctly or there may not be a specific name of the place. Then you can select the option on the map and place the pointer of your location. This option is very helpful when selecting outdoor places or your home address.

Step 7: Review and Share

Once you’ve selected your location, it will be displayed on the preview of your BeReal along with the other options. Double-check your location to ensure it’s correct. If everything looks good, tap the “Share” button in the bottom right corner to post your BeReal with your chosen location. Note that after you post your BeReal you are unable to change location, you must delete it and post a new one.

Troubleshooting Location Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter issues with adding a location to your BeReal. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

• Location services are disabled: If you can’t see the location option or can’t find any locations, double-check that location services are enabled for BeReal, following the steps described in “Step 1: Ensure Location Services Are Enabled on Your Device”.
• Poor GPS signal: If you are in a building with poor signal or in a very rural area, your device might struggle to pinpoint your location. In this case, you may have to move to a place with better signal or manually search for your location.
• Location is inaccurate: BeReal’s location tagging system relies on your device’s location services. If the location that appears is incorrect, try searching manually for your location or moving to an area with better location accuracy. You can also tap on “Pick on Map” to select a more precise location.
• App glitches: Sometimes, apps can experience glitches. Restarting BeReal or your device could resolve these issues. Ensure the app is updated to the latest version for best performance.

Tips for Using BeReal Location Features

Here are some additional tips to make the most of BeReal’s location feature:

• Be Mindful of Privacy: Only share your location if you feel comfortable doing so. You have the right to choose when and where you share your location. Do not share locations when you feel uncomfortable, especially in places like your home address.
• Be Specific: When possible, choose specific locations instead of broad ones. For instance, select a particular cafe instead of just “City Center” to give your friends more context.
• Use it to Explore: Use BeReal’s location feature to discover new places. Seeing where your friends are can inspire you to check out new spots in your area.
• Vary Your Posts: You don’t always need to add a location to your BeReals. Sometimes keeping it simple and location-free can add to the authenticity of the post.
• Explore the map feature: If you want to check all the locations on all BeReals of your friends then go to the BeReal main feed and press on the Map button, this will redirect you to a map view of all recent BeReals in your network.

Conclusion

Adding a location to your BeReal posts is a simple yet effective way to enhance your daily snaps. It adds context, encourages shared experiences, and allows you to look back on your memories with more detail. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily add locations to your BeReals and make the most of this feature. Remember to always be mindful of your privacy and share only what you are comfortable with. Happy BeReal posting!

If you have further questions or problems, feel free to check the official BeReal Support pages.