Set up your phone for nearby discovery

On Android

Bluetooth and Nearby devices access let Beside discover nearby phones. The location permissions requested by the app support discovery, including when Beside is in the background.

1. Turn on Bluetooth in your phone’s Settings.
2. Open Beside and allow the discovery permissions it requests. If you previously declined, open Settings → Apps → Beside → Permissions.
3. Allow Nearby devices or Bluetooth and the location access requested by Beside. When the app asks for background location, choose the option that allows access all the time.
4. Return to Beside and enable discovery using the Beside logo. For discovery with the screen off, follow the background setup guide.

• Set up Android background discovery →

On iPhone

Bluetooth access lets Beside discover other participating phones nearby. You can enable it in a few steps; no manual pairing is needed.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
2. Open Beside and allow Bluetooth access when prompted. If access was declined earlier, open Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth and enable Beside.
3. Return to Beside and enable discovery using the Beside logo. Reopen the app after changing permissions.

• Use discovery with your iPhone screen off →

Understand the access you enable

Permission names vary by phone and operating-system version. Beside explains the access it requests in the app. For details about profile visibility and how your information is used, visit our Privacy Policy.

• Read about data and permissions →

Ready to head out

Keep Bluetooth and discovery on, then take Beside to a busy café, campus or event. Check the nearby view while you are there and your encounter history afterward. If the list stays empty, follow the nearby-discovery checklist.

• Check your discovery setup →