Quick Answer
The Facebook Dating app is not a standalone app that you can download. Facebook Dating is integrated directly into the Facebook mobile app. If you can’t find the Facebook Dating feature, here are some possible reasons:
- Facebook Dating isn’t available in your country yet. It’s currently only available in certain countries.
- Your Facebook app may need to be updated to the latest version.
- You don’t meet the eligibility requirements for Facebook Dating. You need to be at least 18 years old and have a full Facebook profile.
- Facebook Dating hasn’t rolled out to your account yet. Facebook is slowly rolling out the feature.
To access Facebook Dating, make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app. Then go to the menu tab in Facebook and look for the Dating option. If it’s not there, you may not have access to the feature yet. Be patient as Facebook continues the rollout.
The Facebook Dating Feature
Facebook Dating is an integrated feature within the Facebook mobile app – there is not a separate Facebook Dating app that you can download. Facebook began testing its dating feature back in 2018 in Colombia, and after refinement and gathering user feedback, Facebook Dating was eventually launched in the United States in 2019.
The idea behind Facebook Dating is to facilitate romantic connections between Facebook users based on their interests, events, groups, and other information found on their Facebook profiles. With over 2.5 billion monthly active users, Facebook saw an opportunity to use its massive social media platform to also connect people looking for potential romantic partners.
Other social media and tech companies like Match Group which owns Tinder, OKCupid and other dating apps, were initially critical of Facebook’s move into the online dating space. However, since its launch, Facebook Dating has grown in popularity as more users gain access to the opt-in feature. The integration directly within the Facebook app makes it convenient for Facebook users to try out Facebook Dating.
Facebook Dating Eligibility Requirements
To access Facebook Dating, there are some requirements you must meet:
- You need to be at least 18 years old.
- You need to have a full Facebook profile, not just a basic one.
- Your Facebook account must have been active for at least one day.
- You need to download the latest version of the Facebook mobile app.
Additionally, Facebook Dating is currently only available in certain countries and regions at this time, including:
| Countries | Regions |
|---|---|
| Argentina | Canada |
| Bolivia | Chile |
| Brazil | Colombia |
| Ecuador | Mexico |
| Guyana | Paraguay |
| Laos | Peru |
| Malaysia | Philippines |
| Singapore | Suriname |
| Thailand | Uruguay |
| Vietnam | United States |
So if you live outside of one of those supported countries or regions, you will not yet have access to Facebook Dating. Facebook has stated they plan to expand the availability of Facebook Dating in the future.
How to Find Facebook Dating
If you meet the eligibility criteria for Facebook Dating, here are the steps to try and locate the feature within the Facebook mobile app:
- Make sure you have updated your Facebook app to the latest version. You can check for app updates in the App Store on iOS or Google Play Store on Android.
- Open the Facebook app and tap on the menu tab in the top right corner (the three horizontal lines icon).
- Scroll down and see if there is a “Dating” option. If you see it, tap on it to begin setting up your Dating profile.
- If the Dating option is not there, then the feature has likely not rolled out to your account yet. Keep checking back as Facebook continues the gradual rollout.
Still Can’t Find Facebook Dating?
If you’ve followed those steps and still don’t see the Dating option, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure your Facebook account is fully set up with your profile information. Facebook Dating requires a completed profile.
- Go to your Facebook settings and make sure that you have allowed the latest updates to the Facebook app and granted the necessary permissions.
- Log out of Facebook and log back in. Sometimes refreshing your login can help trigger Facebook Dating.
- Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app. Re-downloading the app can also help if there are issues.
- Be patient. The rollout of Facebook Dating is gradual. Keep checking back regularly to see if it shows up!
Using Facebook Dating
Once you gain access to Facebook Dating, here is a quick overview of how the feature works:
- Set up your Dating profile – Indicate your dating preferences like gender, age range, location, etc. You can also choose to display your Instagram posts.
- Browse potentials matches – Facebook will suggest possible matches from others who have opted-into Dating in your area. You can like or pass on each suggestion.
- Explore Events and Groups – Browse upcoming events and group meetups and see which of your matches are interested in attending.
- Chat with matches – When you and another person both like each other, you’ll be matched and can start chatting in the dating inbox.
- Set preferences – Tailor your preferences at any time on who you are interested in and how you would like to be messaged.
Some key things to note about Facebook Dating:
- It does not match you with your existing Facebook friends, only potential matches outside your friend circle.
- Your dating profile and chats will not be shared to your regular Facebook profile or News Feed.
- You can delete your dating profile and data any time you want.
Overall, Facebook Dating provides an opt-in experience that allows you to dip your toes into dating directly within the Facebook platform you may already be familiar with. As long as you meet the requirements, be patient and the option should roll out soon. Happy swiping!
Conclusion
The Facebook Dating feature is integrated within the main Facebook app – there is no separate Dating app to download. If you are 18+, have a complete Facebook profile, and live in an eligible country, be sure you have updated to the latest version of the Facebook app. Go to the menu and look for the Dating option. If it’s not there yet, continue checking back as Facebook rolls out the feature. When available, you can set up a Dating profile to match and chat with other singles who have opted into using Facebook Dating. With over 2 billion monthly Facebook users, there is significant potential to make connections through Facebook Dating!