Quick Start Guide

Buy Nothing is where we Give away what we no longer need, Ask for what we want, and share our Gratitude for what we've received.

Steps to Sign Up

Choose Your Sign-Up Method: You can create an account using your email address or link an existing Google, Facebook, or Apple account for a faster login.
Enter Your Details: Provide your name, email, and date of birth.
Note: You must be 18 or older to create an account.
Verify Your Email: If you signed up via email, enter the 6-digit verification code sent to your inbox to secure your account.
Set Your Location: Enter your home address or use your current location.
- Why? This allows the app to show you posts from neighbors nearest to you while keeping your exact address private.
  Choose Your Viewing Radius: Select how far from your home you would like to see posts (e.g., <1 mile, <6 miles, etc.).
- Why? This helps you customize your feed to be as hyper-local or as broad as you prefer.
Complete Your Profile (Optional):
- Add a Photo: A friendly face helps build trust within your local community.
- Enable Notifications: Stay updated when neighbors message you or engage with your posts.
Choose from Membership Options

Standard Membership: Always free. You can Give, Ask, and share Gratitude with neighbors immediately.
Sustaining Membership: An optional paid subscription that supports app development and unlocks extra features like creating Private Communities, bookmarking posts, and expanded viewing radii.

Steps to Start Using Buy Nothing

Set up your profile
- Tap on your avatar in the top right of the screen to edit your photo and add information about you by tapping the edit button.
Browse posts on your Buy Nothing home feed or explore page
- If you’re interested in an item, tap the “I’m Interested” button and leave a comment to let the poster know why.
- If you see an Ask post and have something to offer, tap “Fulfill this Ask” and share what you’re able to give.
- You can also leave comments and “heart” posts to show support!
Post a Give or Ask of your own
- Tap on the "+" button in the mobile app, or the “+ Create a Post” button on web and select your desired post type.
- Give your post a title, photo and description and continue to preview your post and complete the post settings listed.
- Tap on the green "Post" button in the upper right hand corner of your screen to share it with the Buy Nothing Community.
- Make sure to keep your notifications on to see who interacts with your post, send them a direct message to coordinate giving the item, and mark your posts as fulfilled once a successful hand-off has taken place.
 Invite your friends, family, and coworkers to join!
- You can also find private communities to join based on your location or interests, or create your own if you’re a paid subscriber - Just tap the Communities button in the app or website navigation.