Online dating has taken the world by storm, and Facebook — the social giant we all know — has entered the scene with its own integrated dating service. Facebook Dating is designed to help you find meaningful relationships through things you have in common, like interests, events, and groups. It’s secure, easy to use, and conveniently located inside the Facebook app.
If you’ve heard about Facebook Dating but aren’t quite sure how to access or use it, this quick and thorough guide will walk you through every step — from setting it up to navigating its features.
📲 What Is Facebook Dating?
Facebook Dating is a free feature inside the Facebook mobile app (not a separate app) that allows you to create a dating profile and connect with potential matches.
It is available in many countries, including the U.S., Canada, UK, and parts of Europe and Asia. You must be 18 years or older to use it.
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🔍 Step 1: Check If Facebook Dating Is Available
Not all regions or devices support Facebook Dating yet. Before you go searching, make sure:
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You're using the latest version of the Facebook app.
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You're in a supported country.
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You're at least 18 years old.
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You're using Facebook on a mobile device (iOS or Android), not a desktop.
Note: Facebook Dating is not available on desktop browsers.
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📁 Step 2: How to Find Facebook Dating in Your App
Once your app is up to date, here’s how to locate the Dating feature:
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Open the Facebook app.
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Tap the menu icon (☰) in the lower right (iPhone) or upper right (Android).
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Scroll down and look for "Dating" — it’s usually under “All Shortcuts” or "See More."
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Tip: If you can’t find the Dating shortcut, tap “See More” or use the search bar at the top of the menu to type “Dating.”
👤 Step 3: Set Up Your Dating Profile
Facebook Dating doesn’t just pull your regular profile into dating. You need to create a separate dating profile, though it does use your first name and age from your Facebook account.
To set up:
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Tap on “Dating” from the menu.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to create your dating profile.
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Add photos (Facebook will suggest some, but you can upload new ones).
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Answer prompts and write a short bio to help matches get to know you.
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Privacy Note: Your dating profile won’t be visible to your Facebook friends, and it won’t post anything to your timeline.
💘 Step 4: Start Matching and Messaging
Once your profile is set, Facebook Dating will show you potential matches based on your preferences, interests, mutual friends, and other data.
Key Features:
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Like or Pass: Tap the heart icon to like or the X icon to pass.
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Second Look: Go back and revisit profiles you’ve passed on.
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Secret Crush: Select up to 9 Facebook friends or Instagram followers you're interested in. If they add you back, it’s a match!
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Matches & Messages: Once someone likes you back, you can start chatting in the Dating section (not Messenger).
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⚙️ Customize Your Dating Experience
Inside Facebook Dating, you can fine-tune your experience:
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Match Preferences: Choose age range, distance, height, religion, and more.
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Pause Matching: Taking a break? Temporarily stop new matches without deleting your profile.
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Block People: Block anyone you don’t want to interact with (even if they’re not a match yet).
To access these settings, go to the gear icon (⚙️) in the Dating section.
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🔒 Privacy & Safety Tips
Facebook Dating is built with security in mind, but here are a few good practices:
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Keep conversations within the app — avoid moving to other platforms too quickly.
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Use video chat to verify who you're speaking with (a feature available after matching).
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Report suspicious profiles or behavior by tapping the three-dot menu on someone’s profile.
Image Direction: Show a mock screen of the video chat or report function inside the dating section.
📎 Link Your Instagram
Want to show more of your personality? You can link your Instagram account to your Facebook Dating profile. This allows matches to see your latest posts without leaving the app.
To link Instagram:
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Go to your Dating profile.
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Tap "Edit".
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Scroll down to "Instagram" and tap "Connect".
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Follow the prompts to log in and authorize.
Image Direction: Show a visual of the Instagram linking screen inside Facebook Dating.
🧹 Delete or Pause Facebook Dating
If you’re done with dating — either because you found someone or want a break — you can pause or delete your profile:
To Pause:
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Open Dating > Settings > Toggle on “Pause Matching.”
To Delete:
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Open Dating > Settings > “General” > Tap “Delete Profile.”
Note: Deleting your Facebook Dating profile does not delete your main Facebook account.
Image Direction: Screenshot of the pause/delete options in the settings menu.
🛠 Troubleshooting Tips
Can’t find Facebook Dating? Try these:
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Reinstall the Facebook app.
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Clear cache (on Android).
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Switch to a different mobile device.
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Check your age and region restrictions.
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Log out and back in.
Still not working? Contact Facebook Support via the Help Center in the app.
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💬 Final Thoughts
Facebook Dating is a surprisingly robust and secure platform that makes it easy to meet new people using the social ecosystem you're already part of. Whether you're seeking something casual or a serious relationship, it gives you a fresh way to connect without downloading a new app.
So why not give it a try? The love of your life might just be a scroll and a tap away.
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