App Like BeReal: Developer Steps To Create Social Magic

What makes an app feel real instead of rehearsed? This article breaks down how to build an app like BeReal—covering core features, design logic, and the tech behind its stripped-down, authentic experience.

What if a social app asked for honesty instead of perfection?

That’s the shift BeReal introduced. It moved attention away from likes and filters by sending users a daily prompt to snap unfiltered photos using front and back cameras.

No edits. No retakes. Just real moments as they happen.

If you plan to build an app like BeReal, this article covers everything you need—core features, tech stack, design advice, and how to launch confidently.

Let’s start.

What You’ll Learn

• How BeReal works and why it’s resonating with Gen Z

• Must-have features like dual-camera and timed posting

• Backend tools and mobile tech stacks for fast development

• UX tips to keep users coming back

• Resources to kickstart development with open-source clones

The Idea Behind BeReal

BeReal sends a single daily notification at a random time. Users have two minutes to snap and post an unfiltered photo using front and back cameras. There is no editing, no filters, and no scrolling for hours.

Why It Caught On

• Limits screen time to once a day

• Taps into the demand for real, unpolished content

• Builds a sense of shared, in-the-moment experience

📌 Tip: Before building, talk to real users—especially Gen Z—about what “authenticity” means to them.

Core Features You’ll Need

To replicate a BeReal-like experience, focus on the essentials—fast, clean, and hard to fake.

1. Sign-Up & Login

• Users should be able to sign up quickly and securely using email/password, phone verification, or third-party options like Google or Apple.
• Firebase Authentication is a fast and reliable choice for handling most authentication needs.
• A custom JWT-based solution offers flexibility for scaling and integrating with custom backends.
• Secure password handling and two-step verification should always be implemented to protect user data.

2. Random Daily Notification

• A daily push notification should be sent at a random time, prompting users to post within a two-minute window.
• Use server-side scheduled jobs or cloud functions to randomize the notification timing.
• Push notifications can be triggered using Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or Apple Push Notification service (APNs).
• The countdown should begin immediately when the user opens the app from the notification.
• If the post is delayed or missed, it should be labeled as “late” or “missed” to reinforce the real-time nature of the experience.

3. Dual-Camera Post

• The app should capture photos from both the front and rear cameras, either simultaneously or sequentially.
• CameraX (Android) and AVFoundation (iOS) can be used to implement dual-camera functionality.
• If simultaneous capture is not feasible, the UI should guide users smoothly through back-and-front photo capture.
• Filters, edits, and retakes should be disabled to preserve authenticity.
• The final post should be saved as a composite image combining both captures.

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Go From Idea to App

4. Conditional Feed Access

• Users must post their own photo before they can view their friends’ posts for the day.
• A simple logic check like hasUserPostedToday = true can enforce this rule.
• Late posts should display labels such as “3 hours late” to maintain transparency and encourage timely participation.

5. Reactions & Comments

• Users should be able to react with front-camera selfies, similar to BeReal’s RealMojis.
• These reactions can be displayed as small circular thumbnails on posts.
• Comments should be short and unthreaded to encourage casual interaction.
• A real-time database like Firestore should be used to store and sync reactions and comments quickly.

6. Memories Section

• Users should have access to a private archive of their past posts.
• This can be displayed in a timeline or calendar format for easy browsing.
• Images should be stored securely using Firebase Storage or AWS S3.
• Metadata like timestamps and locations should be saved in Firestore or a relational database.
• This feature can support future personalization, such as showing memories from the same date in previous years.

7. Optional: Location Feed

• A public location-based feed can allow users to discover posts from nearby users.
• This feature should include strong content moderation, rate limiting, and reporting tools.
• Use Core Location (iOS) or Fused Location Provider (Android) to obtain user locations.
• Reverse geocoding or radius filters can help determine relevant nearby content.
• Users must be prompted for consent before their location is used or displayed.

8. Privacy Settings

• Users should have clear controls for post visibility, including friends-only, private, or public options.
• Settings should also allow users to manage notifications, delete their accounts, and download their data.
• The backend must support full compliance with GDPR and CCPA, including permanent data deletion.
• Additional toggles should let users opt out of location feeds and disable reactions if desired.

“BeReal gives you a 2‑minute time window each day to post your picture and share what you’re doing in real time… It’s authentic and informal.” — Stephanie Preston

Tech Stack: Tools That Fit

Component	Options
Frontend	React Native, Flutter, Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)
Backend	Node.js, Go, Firebase
APIs	REST or GraphQL
Database	Firestore, PostgreSQL
Storage	Firebase Storage, AWS S3
Push Notifications	FCM (Android), APNs (iOS)
Location	Core Location, MapKit, Google Maps

Design That Matches the Moment

Your UI should make spontaneity effortless:

• Clean, distraction-free layout

• Clear UI states: before post, during capture, after share

• One-tap access to reactions, comments, and memories

• No scrolling feed until a photo is posted

How to Build It: Step-by-Step Workflow

MVP Features

Start small and focus on the core experience. Your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) should include:

• A dual-camera post that captures both front and back shots
• A strict two-minute posting window to drive authenticity
• A basic friend feed to view others' posts
• Simple authentication to secure accounts

These features are enough to test the app’s core mechanics without overbuilding early.

Sprint Planning

Structure your development into focused modules:

• Notification trigger – for sending real-time alerts to users
• Dual-camera integration – enabling simultaneous capture from both cameras
• Feed logic – displaying recent posts from friends
• Reaction system – allowing users to respond with emojis or comments

This modular breakdown keeps sprints clean and progress measurable.

Testing Checklist

Before going live, test rigorously:

• Check how the app handles late posts or missed notifications
• Simulate slow or delayed notifications
• Verify performance on both Android and iOS
• Confirm that all privacy controls (e.g., post visibility) function as expected

A solid testing round ensures smoother user adoption and fewer hotfixes later.

Launching & Scaling

Before Launch

Lay the groundwork properly:

• Prep your App Store and Play Store listings with compelling visuals and descriptions
• Test the timing, reliability, and consistency of notifications
• Begin quietly monitoring how early testers interact with the app

First impressions matter, so this stage sets the tone for your user base.

After Launch

Once you're live, switch focus to optimization:

• Track how frequently users post within the designated time
• Watch closely for spam or inappropriate content
• Optimize backend costs related to cloud usage and storage
• Gather feedback and iterate on UX based on real user pain points

Scaling is as much about listening as it is about building.

How to Grow the App

Growth comes from thoughtful iteration, not gimmicks. Consider:

• Monetization through optional ads, boosts, or premium features
• Small feature additions like time-zone syncing or limited filters (keep it minimal)
• Social mechanics like daily challenges or streaks to keep friends engaged
• Light discovery tools to explore public posts—if it aligns with your app’s purpose

Be intentional. Every new feature should deepen, not dilute, the core experience.

Get a Head Start with Open Source

You don’t have to start from scratch. The open-source community has you covered:

• A Flutter clone by Antoine Gonthier offers a full cross-platform starter
• An iOS Swift version by Khiem17204 is great for native iPhone development
• Several Medium blogs walk through architecture decisions and UI building blocks

Leverage these resources to move faster and focus on your unique twist.

Launch Your Real-Time Social Experience

If you plan to build an app like BeReal, now’s the right time. Users want real moments, not filtered posts or endless scrolls. The shift is clear.

You already have the idea, tools, and timing, so build something people can relate to. Let them show up as they are—raw, real, and in the moment.