Facebook Dating is a free dating section inside the Facebook app. You build a separate Dating profile, Facebook suggests people based on your preferences, your location and the groups or events you share, and when two people like each other they match and can chat. Your Facebook friends can’t see your Dating profile.
- It lives inside the Facebook app for Android and iPhone. There is no separate download and no desktop version.
- You need to be 18 or older, have a Facebook account at least 30 days old, and live in one of 52 countries or four US territories where Dating runs.
- Your Dating profile, likes and chats stay out of your Feed and out of Messenger.
How to start using Facebook Dating
- Open the Facebook app and tap Menu, then Dating. If you don’t see it in the list, tap See more.
- Tap Get started and follow the prompts to build your profile: photos, a few details, and answers to profile prompts.
- Allow Location Services when the app asks. Dating uses it to confirm your primary Dating location, and you can’t see or match with anyone until it does.
- Set your preferences. Tap Profile in the top right, then Dating preferences, and choose age range, gender identity, distance and the rest.
- Start browsing. Send a like or a message to anyone you’re interested in.
Your primary Dating location is wherever you signed up. It does not move when you travel, which is the most common reason Dating stops showing new people. If that happens, see our Facebook Dating not working fixes.
How the matching works
Meta says suggested matches come from three places: the preferences you set, what’s on your Dating and Facebook profile (hometown, schools), and the groups and events you have in common with other daters, including past events you attended or marked interest in. Meta adds that it “may use other signals from Facebook”.
A match happens when two people like each other. Until then you can like and message anyone suggested to you, but the conversation only opens up properly once the interest is mutual.
Friends of your Facebook friends can show up as suggestions. That setting is on by default; you can switch it off under Settings > Privacy settings > Suggest friends of friends.
The extra features
| Feature | What it does | Who has it |
|---|---|---|
| Secret Crush | You pick Facebook friends, or friends of friends, you’re interested in. Meta’s help page says they can then see that you liked them in Dating, in their Liked You tab. | Everyone with a Dating profile (the Crush tab at the bottom) |
| Meet Cute | Facebook picks one surprise match for you each week. You can chat or unmatch, and you can opt out at any time. | Announced September 2025; still reaching accounts in waves |
| Dating assistant | An AI chat in the Matches tab that finds profiles from a typed request and gives profile or date ideas. | Rolling out gradually in the US and Canada |
| Match Anywhere | Adds up to two extra places to look for matches beyond your home area. Each can be changed once a week. | Some accounts only; not new profiles |
What stays private
- Your current Facebook friends and anyone not on Dating can’t see your Dating profile.
- Dating activity never appears in your Facebook Feed.
- Dating chats are separate from Messenger.
- Anyone you’ve blocked on Facebook is blocked in Dating automatically.
One catch: if you become Facebook friends with someone you’ve matched with, they can still see your Dating profile.
Gotchas before you start
- Meta may ask for a video selfie to verify your profile. You can’t use Dating until you send one, and it must match a photo on your profile.
- Deleting your Dating profile wipes your matches and conversations, and you can’t make a new one for seven days.
- A VPN can make your Dating location and your real location disagree, which blocks new matches.
FAQ
Is Facebook Dating free?
Yes. Meta describes it as a free dating experience inside the Facebook app, and its help pages list no paid upgrade for Dating.
Can my Facebook friends see I’m on Facebook Dating?
No. Meta says current friends can’t see your Dating profile and your Dating activity doesn’t appear on Facebook. The exception is a match you later add as a friend.
Do I need a separate app?
No. Dating is a section of the main Facebook app for Android and iPhone. It isn’t on the desktop website.
Is Facebook Dating available in my country?
Meta’s list covers the US and its territories, Canada, the UK, most of the EU, Mexico, most of South America, and the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos. It does not include Australia, India or any African country.
Steps checked against Meta’s Help Centre for the Facebook app on Android and iPhone, October 2026. Sources: Who can use Facebook Dating (Meta), Where suggested matches come from (Meta), Meta Newsroom, September 2025.