BeReal has quick become a favorite for people who want a candid dose of daily life. But with its rise, many users report one common frustration: BeReal battery drain. This article explains why the app can sip power on some days and how to trim that drain without missing moments with friends. By understanding how BeReal uses your device and applying a few sensible tweaks, you can enjoy the app while keeping your battery in check.

What drives BeReal battery drain

BeReal is designed to be lightweight in random bursts, but several features can spike power consumption. The app relies on real-time prompts, camera access, location checks, and network activity to deliver its signature experience. When you open the app to post, BeReal launches camera hardware, processes images, and uploads data. Even when you’re not actively posting, background updates, notifications, and periodic synchronization can keep radios awake and sensors active. All of these activities contribute to BeReal battery drain, especially on older devices or when you have strong network signals and location services enabled.

Key contributors include:

• Camera usage: BeReal uses the camera every day to capture your moment. Launching the camera, processing the shot, and preparing metadata can consume noticeable energy, particularly on devices with aging batteries.
• Location services: If you grant BeReal location access, GPS usage can be a silent battery killer, especially if it’s allowed to run in the background or during frequent checks.
• Push notifications and background activity: The app relies on timely notifications to prompt you to post. Frequent wakeups and background syncing can keep the radio interfaces active longer than you expect.
• Data syncing: BeReal uploads images and may fetch friend activity in the background. Larger uploads or slow connections can extend power use as the device stays engaged with the network.
• Device settings and OS behavior: Some phones aggressively manage background tasks, while others give the app more leeway. Either approach can influence how quickly BeReal drains the battery.

How to identify the main culprits on your device

To tackle BeReal battery drain effectively, start by diagnosing which aspects of the app contribute most on your device. Modern phones provide built-in tools to help you see where power is going.

• Check battery usage by app: On most smartphones, you can view battery usage by app in Settings. Look for BeReal and note whether it has a higher than average share of power consumption.
• Review screen-on time: If BeReal’s moments are prompting longer screen-on sessions, you’ll see a direct impact on battery life. Shorter viewing sessions and fewer high-refresh interactions can help.
• Assess location permissions: If BeReal is allowed to access location all the time, consider restricting it to while using the app or turning it off when not needed.
• Evaluate background activity: Some phones show background network usage per app. If BeReal is frequently waking in the background, you may benefit from adjusting permissions or background activity settings.

In many cases, users will find a mix of camera usage and location services plus background notifications driving the drain. By identifying which combination applies to your usage, you can apply targeted fixes without sacrificing the BeReal experience.

Practical fixes to reduce BeReal battery drain

Below are actionable steps you can take to curb BeReal battery drain. The goal is to minimize unnecessary wakeups and keep energy use aligned with how you actually use the app.

1. Keep the app and OS up to date: Updates often include efficiency improvements and bug fixes. Running the latest BeReal version plus the latest device OS can reduce unnecessary power consumption and improve overall stability.
2. Limit or tailor push notifications: If BeReal notifications wake your device too often, consider reducing their frequency or muting certain alerts. Fewer wakeups mean less battery drain without losing the core posting rhythm.
3. Control location access: Change location permissions to “While Using the App” or “Only This App While In Use” rather than “Always.” If you don’t need geotagging for daily posts, disabling background location can have a noticeable impact.
4. Disable background activity for BeReal: On iOS, turn off Background App Refresh for BeReal. On Android, restrict background activity or set “Limit background data” where available. This helps prevent the app from waking up the device for no reason between posts.
5. Use Wi-Fi when possible: BeReal can consume more energy on cellular networks due to weaker signal and more radio activity. When you’re near a reliable Wi‑Fi network, switch to it for posting and syncing.
6. Shorten posting sessions and limit camera usage: If your goal is to minimize drain, you don’t need to keep the camera open longer than necessary. Capture quickly and exit the app as soon as the moment is saved.
7. Manage data syncing and uploads: If you have a slow connection, be mindful of large uploads. When on mobile data, consider pausing or delaying large media transfers until you’re on Wi‑Fi or have more time to spare.
8. Turn off unnecessary features within BeReal: If there are features you rarely use (for example, additional filters or effects), disable them. Fewer processing steps reduce CPU usage and energy draw.
9. Optimize battery saver modes: Enabling a system battery saver mode can help, but test to ensure BeReal still functions smoothly. Some battery savers restrict background tasks in ways that affect app performance; adjust accordingly.
10. Monitor and adjust gradually: After applying one change, monitor how it affects BeReal battery drain over a few days. Small, steady adjustments can yield better long-term results than sweeping changes.

Device-specific notes and best practices

Android and iOS handle background processes differently. While the overarching ideas stay the same, a few tips are worth tailoring to your device:

• On iPhone: Prioritize location permission as “While Using the App” and disable Background App Refresh for BeReal. Review the App Privacy settings to ensure network access is optimized for energy efficiency.
• On Android: Use the Battery or App Optimization settings to restrict background activity for BeReal. If you notice a spike in drain after an update, you may benefit from temporarily turning off ambient display features or limiting notifications during low-battery days.

Rethinking routine use to balance experience and battery life

BeReal thrives on spontaneity. You don’t want to miss moments, but you can shape how you experience the app without compromising battery life. Consider these perspectives:

• Batch your engagement: If you tend to check BeReal multiple times a day, try a single daily window for posting. This can reduce wakeups while still keeping you in the loop with friends.
• Be selective with location sharing: If you’re comfortable, share fewer location details. This not only preserves privacy but also conserves energy that would be spent on location services.
• Love the moment, not the metrics: If your device shows a tight battery margin, it’s reasonable to pause BeReal posting for a while to stretch the day. The app’s value isn’t solely measured by how many posts you make, but by the genuine moments you capture.

Frequently asked questions

Does BeReal battery drain vary by device?

Yes. Battery capacity, processor efficiency, and OS power management all influence how BeReal affects battery life. Newer devices with efficient hardware and up-to-date software generally manage power more gracefully.

Can I disable BeReal notifications completely?

Yes. You can mute or customize notifications in the app or through system settings. This can significantly reduce wakeups and battery use, especially if you’re not active on BeReal most days.

Should I delete BeReal to save battery?

Not necessarily. If you enjoy the app, try the settings adjustments described here first. BeReal battery drain is usually manageable with targeted changes rather than removing the app entirely.

Conclusion

BeReal battery drain is a common experience for users who want a responsive, real-time social app. By understanding how BeReal uses camera, location, and background connectivity, you can tailor your settings to your day. Small changes—such as limiting location access, reducing background activity, and relying on Wi‑Fi when possible—can add up to meaningful energy savings. The goal isn’t to strip away the BeReal experience, but to strike a practical balance between enjoying the app and maintaining healthy battery life. With a thoughtful approach, you can keep BeReal battery drain under control while still sharing moments that matter.