Step 1: Update Your Facebook App
Before anything else, make sure your Facebook app is fully updated. Open your phone’s app store. If you’re using Android, go to the Google Play Store. For iPhone users, open the Apple App Store.
Search for Facebook and tap Update if available. Without the latest version, the Dating feature might not appear. After updating, close the store and restart your phone.
Step 2: Confirm Your Age and Location
Facebook Dating is not available to everyone. You must be 18 years or older. Your date of birth on Facebook must reflect this. Also, Dating is only available in selected countries. If the feature hasn’t been launched in your region, it won’t show up, no matter what steps you take.
Make sure you’ve turned on your Location Services. Facebook Dating uses your area to find potential matches nearby.
Step 3: Open Facebook and Access the Menu
Launch the Facebook app. Look at the top or bottom right corner of your screen. You’ll see three horizontal lines (menu icon). Tap on that.
Scroll through the options in the menu. Look for Dating among the listed tools. Sometimes it’s placed near Marketplace, Watch, or Events.
If you don’t see it there, type “Facebook Dating” into the app’s search bar at the top of your screen. This often helps you locate the feature faster.
Step 4: Tap and Start Setting Up
Once you find and tap on Dating, a welcome screen will appear. Facebook will briefly explain what the feature does. Tap Get Started to continue.
Now you’ll begin creating your Dating profile. This profile is completely separate from your regular Facebook profile. Your Facebook friends won’t be notified that you joined Dating, and they won’t see your profile unless they’re also using the feature and are shown to you as a match.
Step 5: Fill in Your Dating Profile
You’ll be asked to add important details:
Your gender and the gender(s) you’re interested in
Your height, job, and education (optional)
Your current city
A short bio or a few fun answers to prompts
Clear, friendly photos
You can choose photos from your existing Facebook albums or upload new ones. It’s always best to use pictures where your face is visible and you’re smiling.
Step 6: Explore and Start Matching
Once your profile is ready, Facebook will start showing you potential matches. These suggestions are based on shared interests, location, and profile information.
You can like someone or skip them by tapping X. If someone you like also likes you back, you’ll be notified of a match, and you can start a conversation right away.
Step 7: Use Secret Crush (Optional)
A special feature within Facebook Dating is Secret Crush. You can select up to nine people from your Facebook friends or Instagram followers who you secretly admire. If they also add you, both of you will be notified of the mutual crush.
This allows you to explore real possibilities without any awkwardness.
Conclusion
Activating Facebook Dating on your phone is simple. Just update your app, make sure you meet the requirements, and follow the steps above. Within minutes, you can build your profile and begin connecting with people who share your values and interests.
No extra downloads. No complicated setups. Just you, your phone, and a chance at something meaningful.