AskIRL
in developmentLet your phone do the awkward part. Approach someone, respectfully.
coming to the play store & app store · ios · android
AskIRL is the app for the ten seconds you always lose. You notice someone, you freeze, you leave, and everyone does it. Pick a vibe, hold your phone out, and let them read it: no accounts, no swiping, no strangers in your DMs, just one real moment, handled well.
Pick an approach: every one is three short lines, written to be read at arm's length in about ten seconds. Turn your phone around, and a countdown gives you a beat to hand it over. They read it and answer with two equally sized buttons, yes or no, and a no ends it kindly and immediately, with no retry.
If it's a yes, they choose how to connect, Instagram, Snapchat, a number, a message typed right here, or just "let's say hi," typing it themselves in front of you. Nothing is pulled from contacts, photos, or accounts on either side.
the problem
Why it exists
Approaching someone in person is a small, real moment most people lose to hesitation. AskIRL hands over the opening line and lets the other person answer on their own terms, with a no that costs nothing and a yes that's entirely theirs to shape.
features
What it does
Six vibes, 33 approaches
Cute, Funny, Shy, Bold, Friendly, and Networking, each written to be read in about ten seconds.
A handoff built for the moment
A countdown gives you a beat to turn the phone around, with haptics and a paced reveal.
They stay in control
Every option says exactly what's about to be shared before they type a thing, and "just say hi" never asks for any data.
Yes and no, equally easy
Distinguished by emoji, word, shape, and colour, with the no button exactly as prominent as the yes.
Saved connections, on your phone only
Favourites and saved connections stay in local storage and are never uploaded.
No accounts, no directory
No sign-up, no profiles, and no way to contact anyone who hasn't personally handed you a way to reach them.
what's inside
6 vibes
- Cute
- Funny
- Shy
- Bold
- Friendly
- Networking
pricing
Free, with an upgrade
Free
3 approaches a week, 10 saved connections, and 3 favourites, with no custom builder.
AskIRL+ Monthly
auto-renewing
AskIRL+ Annual
auto-renewing
faq
Questions
Do I need an account?
No. There's no sign-up, no email, and no phone number. AskIRL works the moment you open it.
What happens if someone says no?
It ends kindly and immediately. There's no retry, no second attempt, and no way to see who declined.
What does the other person actually share?
Whatever they choose to type themselves, in front of you: Instagram, Snapchat, a number, a typed message, or nothing at all with "just say hi." The app states exactly what's about to be shared before they type anything.
Does AskIRL know my location?
No. AskIRL never requests location access, foreground or background, and has no idea where you are.
What's free and what needs AskIRL+?
3 approaches a week, 10 saved connections, and 3 favourites are free. AskIRL+ removes the weekly limit, unlocks the full library and a custom approach builder, and adds unlimited saves and on-device insights into which vibes work for you.
How do I delete my data?
Settings → Delete all my data removes everything permanently, or just uninstall the app. Nothing is stored on our servers to begin with.
Can I turn off analytics?
Yes, in Settings → Anonymous usage stats. Turning it off deletes your random on-device identifier and any queued events immediately.
please note
Before you start
AskIRL is built around consent: one approach is enough, and a no ends it immediately. Don't approach anyone who has already declined, anyone who can't freely walk away from you (including staff working a shift), or anyone who appears to be under 18 if you are not. AskIRL displays text on a screen; it does not supervise, verify, or take part in the interaction that follows, and you're solely responsible for your conduct and for respecting the answer you're given.
stay in the loop
Want to know when it ships?
Drop me an email and I'll let you know when AskIRL is out.
Keep me posted