Quick Answer: Download rec'd, sign up with Apple or Google, then complete a quick setup to tell us your name, dining style, and dietary preferences. The whole process takes about 2 minutes.
Overview
Creating a rec'd account is quick and free. During signup, you'll set up your profile and tell us about your taste preferences so we can show you restaurants you'll actually love.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Download the app
Get rec'd from your app store:
- iPhone: Download from the App Store
- Android: Coming soon
Step 2: Open rec'd and choose how to sign up
Launch the app and you'll see the welcome screen. You have two options:
- Create Account with Apple — Fastest if you're on iPhone. Uses Face ID or Touch ID.
- Create Account with Google — Signs you in with your Google account.
Tap whichever you prefer.
Step 3: Enter your details
After signing in with Apple or Google, you'll be asked to complete your profile:
- First Name — Your first name
- Last Name — Your surname
- Username — Your unique @handle that others use to find you (e.g., @beneats). This can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
Tap "Next" when you're done.
Step 4: Add a profile photo
Tap the + button to add a profile photo. You can:
- Take a photo using your camera
- Choose from library to use an existing photo
Your photo helps friends recognise you. You can skip this for now and add one later if you prefer — just tap "Next".
Step 5: Choose your flavour
This is where it gets fun. "What's your Flavour?" asks about the kind of dining experiences you enjoy. Select up to 3 that best describe you:
Option | What it means |
🤙 Tried 'n Tested | Locals' favourites, best in the neighbourhood — places that never miss |
🔥 The Trend Chaser | You like to be first to know about trending spots and new openings |
😎 The Aesthetics | Think dimly-lit interiors, vinyl bars — the city's sexiest spots |
💰 Cheap Eats | Big on flavour with minimal impact on the wallet |
🌱 Plant Loving | Highlighting the best plant-based or veggie-forward restaurants |
🍪 Sweet Tooth | Chasing the most decadent and indulgent treats |
🦉 The Night Owl | Finding the most reliable spots for late night bites |
🎩 Fine Dining | Exclusive seating for multi-course, intimate culinary journeys |
🍷 Natural Wine and Small Plates | Impress those Hinge dates with these hard hitters |
☀️ Summer Lover | Spots with perfect patios, for endless sun soaking |
Tap your choices, then tap "Next".
Step 6: Set your dietary preferences
"What's your Palate?" lets you tell us about any dietary requirements. Select as many as apply:
- Veggie
- Vegan
- Pescatarian
- Halal
- Kosher
- Gluten-Free
- Nut-Free
- Dairy-Free
Don't have any dietary requirements? No problem — just tap "Next" to skip.
Step 7: Speed Round — rate some restaurants
Now for the Speed Round! We'll show you a few restaurants to help populate your map. For each one:
If you haven't been:
- Skip — Move to the next one
- To Try — Save it to your list
If you have been:
- rec’d — One of your favourites
- Liked It — It was good
- Not a Fan — Not for you
Don't worry about getting it perfect — this just helps us understand your taste. You can rate as many as you like, but must do at least 5 then tap "Next".
Step 8: Follow some creators
Nearly there! "Let's get rec'd" suggests some creators to start to understand whose taste closely matches yours. These are people who share recommendations you're likely to love.
You'll see their:
- Profile photo
- Username
- Number of recs (recommendations they've shared)
- Number of followers
Tap "Follow" on any creators that look interesting. Following at least a few people will make your home feed much more useful. You can always unfollow them after onboarding and follow others.
Tap "Next" when you're done.
📸 SCREENSHOT: Onboarding_8.png — Let's get rec'd screen showing suggested creators
Step 9: You're in!
That's it — you're all set up and ready to discover your new favourite spots. You'll be taken to the home screen where you can start exploring.
📸 SCREENSHOT: Home screen after completing onboarding
Tips for getting the best recommendations
- Be honest in the Speed Round — The more restaurants you rate, the better we understand your taste
- Follow creators whose vibe matches yours — Your feed is built from the people you follow
- Update your preferences any time — Go to Profile → Settings if your taste changes
Common issues
Problem: "Sign in with Apple/Google isn't working" Solution: Make sure you're signed into your Apple ID or Google account on your phone. Try restarting the app if the button doesn't respond.
Problem: "My username is already taken" Solution: Try adding a number, underscore, or your location (e.g., @ben_ldn or @beneats23).
Problem: "I accidentally skipped adding a photo" Solution: No problem — go to Profile → Edit Profile after setup to add one.
Problem: "I want to change my flavour or dietary preferences" Solution: Go to Profile → Settings → Taste Preferences any time to update these.
Problem: "I didn't follow any creators and my feed is empty" Solution: Go to the Discover tab and browse suggested creators, or search for specific food accounts you know.
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