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Everything you need to know about using Birln

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📍 How to Check In at Venues

What is a check-in?

A check-in lets people on Birln know you're at a venue and earns you Bux rewards! It's simple: when you arrive at a bar, club, or restaurant, open Birln and tap the check-in button. Your location is verified automatically, and boom - you're checked in!

How to check in (step-by-step)

  1. Open the Birln app and make sure location services are enabled
  2. Find your venue on the map or use the search bar
  3. When you're physically at the venue, tap the venue card
  4. Tap the "Check In" button
  5. Confirm your check-in and watch the Bux roll in! 💰

Pro tip: You must be within range of the venue to check in. We use your GPS location to verify you're actually there - no fake check-ins!

Why can't I check in?

If you're having trouble checking in, make sure:

  • Location services are enabled for Birln in your phone settings
  • You're physically at the venue (within 100-200 feet)
  • You have a stable internet connection
  • You haven't already checked in at this venue recently (there's a cooldown period to prevent spam)

How often can I check in?

You can check in at different venues as many times as you want! However, there's a cooldown period before you can check in again at the same venue. This prevents abuse and keeps things fair for everyone.

💰 Understanding Bux Rewards

What are Birln Bux?

Birln Bux (or just "Bux") are in-app reward points you earn by being active on Birln. The more you use Birln, the more you earn. Bux are spent inside Birln, on things like venue rewards and the gift card store. They are not money, they have no cash value, and they cannot be exchanged for cash.

How do I earn Bux?

There are several ways to stack up those Bux:

  • Check in at venues - Earn Bux every time you check in
  • Create posts - Share your night out and earn Bux
  • Engage with content - Like, comment, and share posts
  • Complete challenges - Special promotions and venue-specific challenges
  • Refer friends - Get Bux when friends join and check in
  • Daily bonuses - Log in daily for streak rewards

What can I spend Bux on?

Bux are spent inside Birln:

  1. Rewards and free items at participating venues
  2. The gift card store, where each gift card has a Bux cost

Note: There is no cash-out. Bux cannot be converted to cash, withdrawn, or transferred out of Birln. Separately, approved members of Birln Agency are paid for promotional work through the Agency, which is its own program with its own terms and is not a way to convert a standard Bux balance.

Do Bux expire?

Bux don't expire as long as your account remains active! However, if your account is inactive for an extended period (typically 12+ months), we may apply an inactivity policy. Keep checking in and you'll be fine!

📝 Creating Posts

How do I create a post?

Share your night out! Here's how:

  1. Tap the camera button on the bottom bar
  2. Take a photo
  3. Post it

Photos and videos posted this way can be seen by anyone. You can also add a photo right after you check in, from the Check-in tab, and choose a smaller audience for it in the feed.

What makes a good post?

Posts that get more engagement earn you more Bux! Here are some tips:

  • Use good lighting and clear photos
  • Tag the venue and friends to increase visibility
  • Write engaging captions with emojis and hashtags
  • Post during peak hours when more people are active
  • Be authentic - show the real vibe of the venue!

Can I edit or delete a post?

Yes! Tap the three dots on your post and select "Edit" to update the caption or tags, or "Delete" to remove it entirely. Note: Bux earned from a deleted post may be recalculated.

Post guidelines

Keep Birln fun and safe for everyone! Posts that violate our community guidelines (harassment, hate speech, spam, illegal content, etc.) will be removed and may result in account suspension. Be cool, be respectful, and have fun!

🚀 Rocket Fuel, Boosts & Rocket Rewards

What is Rocket Fuel?

Rocket Fuel is an optional in-app purchase that lets venues and supporters add extra Bux into a venue’s Rocket Pool. That pool is what funds bonus Bux for people who actually show up there – through check-ins, posts, and other in‑person activity. Rocket Fuel never adds to your personal Birln Bux wallet and is not withdrawable; it simply increases how generous a venue’s rewards can be.

What are Rocket Rewards?

Rocket Rewards is the system that decides how that extra pool of Bux is used. When a venue has an active Rocket Rewards campaign, Birln can offer higher Bux rewards for going there, showing up with friends, or sharing the real vibe of the spot. The more Fuel and contributions in a venue’s Rocket Pool, the more those rewards can show up in Spots and in the People area for the right crowd.

How do Boosts work?

Boosts are short bursts that temporarily turn Rocket Rewards up for a specific venue. When your Boosts are active for a place, Birln can:

  • Show that venue higher in the Spots list for people it’s a good fit for
  • Highlight it more in the People area when nearby people are out
  • Offer stronger Bux rewards during the Boost window, funded from the venue’s Rocket Pool and Rocket Fuel

You can manage whether your Boosts are on or paused from the Rocket Rewards screen in the app. Turning Boosts on does not spend from your own wallet Bux – it uses the budget the venue has already set aside.

How does this show up in the People area?

The People area is where you see who’s nearby and who’s actually out. Rocket Rewards and Boosts help make sure the people you see – and the venues they’re at – are connected to real rewards:

  • Venues with active Rocket Rewards can be surfaced more when you browse people who are out there
  • Showing up at Boosted venues can unlock higher Bux rewards, especially when you go with friends
  • Everything stays focused on real‑world visits – no rewards for staying home and scrolling

🔒 Privacy & Data Usage

What data does Birln collect?

We collect only what we need to make Birln awesome for you:

  • Location data - To verify check-ins and show nearby venues (only when you use the app)
  • Profile info - Your name, email, phone, and profile photo
  • Activity data - Check-ins, posts, likes, and interactions to personalize your experience
  • Device info - Device type, OS version, and app version for technical support

We NEVER sell your personal data to third parties. Your privacy matters to us.

How is my location used?

Your location is used to:

  • Verify you're at a venue when checking in
  • Show you nearby venues on the map
  • Provide location-based recommendations
  • Check you in automatically, if you set up automatic check-in

Birln uses your location in the background when you set up automatic check-in, which asks for your phone's Always location permission. You can turn location off anytime in your phone settings.

Who can see my check-ins and posts?

Check-ins and posts have separate settings.

Check-ins. When you check in from the Check-in tab, you choose Public check-in or Private check-in. Check-ins made any other way, like the Here? button, voice, or automatic check-in, are public for now.

  • Public - anyone on Birln can see you're there, not just your friends
  • Private - we're still improving private check-ins and they are not fully hidden yet, so please don't rely on one to keep where you are private

Posts. Photos you post from the camera button, and all videos, can be seen by anyone. When you add a photo from the Check-in tab right after checking in, you can choose a smaller audience for it in the feed. The photo may still appear in other places on Birln, like the venue's photos, so only post what you're comfortable with anyone seeing.

How do I delete my data?

You own your data. To delete your account and all associated data:

  1. Go to Settings → Account → Delete Account
  2. Confirm your decision
  3. Your account and data will be permanently deleted within 30 days

You can also email us at support@birln.com to request account deletion.

Learn more

For complete details on how we handle your data, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

🔍 Finding Venues

How do I find venues near me?

The Birln map shows all venues around you! You can also:

  • Use the search bar to find specific venues
  • Filter by venue type (bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.)
  • Browse the "Trending" tab to see hot spots right now
  • Check out "Friends' Favorites" to see where your crew hangs out

What are Discovery Credits?

Discovery Credits (or "Spots") help you explore new venues! Each credit lets you unlock details about a venue that's not yet on your regular feed. Free users get limited credits; premium users get more. Use them wisely to discover hidden gems!

What if my favorite venue isn't on Birln?

Help us grow! You can suggest a venue by tapping "Add Venue" on the map. We'll review it and add it to Birln. You might even earn bonus Bux for suggesting popular spots!

How do I hide a venue from my feed?

If you want to clean up your feed and hide venues you're not interested in (for example, places you're personally unlikely to check in to or get checked in to), you can hide them:

  • In the Places area (Spots) of the app, press and hold on the venue's name on its profile card.
  • You'll see an option to hide that venue from your feed.

To add a hidden venue back to your feed, simply search for the venue by name in the app. That turns off the hide for that venue and it will show up in your feed again.

👤 Managing Your Account

How do I create an account?

Download Birln from the App Store or Google Play, then sign up with your email or phone number. You can also sign in with Apple or Google for faster registration.

How do I reset my password?

On the login screen, tap "Forgot Password?" Enter your email or phone number, and we'll send you a reset link. Follow the instructions to create a new password.

How do I update my profile?

Go to your profile, tap "Edit Profile," and update your name, bio, profile photo, or other details. Don't forget to save your changes!

Can I have multiple accounts?

Each person should have only one account to maintain fairness in the Bux rewards system. Multiple accounts may be flagged and suspended.

👥 Friends & Social Features

How do I add friends?

Tap the "Friends" tab, then use the search bar to find people by name or username. You can also sync your contacts to find friends who are already on Birln, or share your profile link on social media.

How do I see where my friends are?

Check the "Friends" feed to see recent check-ins from your crew. You can also view their profiles to see their favorite venues and recent activity.

Can I block or report someone?

Yes! If someone is harassing you or violating community guidelines, go to their profile, tap the three dots, and select "Block" or "Report." We take safety seriously and will review all reports promptly.

⭐ Premium Features

What is Birln Premium?

Birln Premium unlocks enhanced features like:

  • More Discovery Credits to explore new venues
  • Boosted Bux earnings on check-ins and posts
  • Priority support
  • Exclusive badges and profile customization
  • Ad-free experience

How much does Premium cost?

Pricing varies by region and subscription plan. Check the app for current pricing and available plans (monthly, yearly, etc.).

How do I cancel my subscription?

Go to Settings → Subscription → Manage Subscription. You can cancel anytime, and you'll retain Premium benefits until the end of your current billing period.

🏢 For Venue Owners

How do I claim my venue?

If you own or manage a bar, club, or restaurant, you can claim your venue on Birln to access analytics, run promotions, and engage with customers. Visit the venue page in the app and tap "Claim This Venue," or contact us at support@birln.com.

What are venue marketing tools?

Once you've claimed your venue, you can use our marketing dashboard to:

  • See analytics on check-ins, engagement, and customer demographics
  • Create promotions and challenges to attract customers
  • Boost your venue's visibility on the map
  • Respond to reviews and engage with your community

Interested in Birln for Business?

Learn more at Birln Agency or contact our business team at hello@birln.com.

📧 Contact Support

Need more help?

We're here for you! If you can't find the answer you're looking for, reach out to our support team:

Email: support@birln.com

We typically respond within 24-48 hours. For faster help, include your username and a detailed description of the issue.

Report a bug

Found a bug? Help us fix it! Email us at support@birln.com with:

  • Description of the issue
  • Device type and OS version
  • App version (found in Settings → About)
  • Screenshots or screen recordings if possible

Feedback & suggestions

We love hearing from our community! Have an idea to make Birln better? Send it to hello@birln.com - we read every message!

Phlout LLC (d/b/a Birln™)
331 2nd Ave S, Ste 400 PMB 3016
Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA

Still have questions? Contact our support team

Or visit our Support page for additional resources.