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Let’s face it — dating today looks a whole lot different than it did even five years ago. Whether you’re new to the online dating scene or you’re giving it another shot, you’ve probably heard of Facebook Dating and might be wondering: “Where the heck is the Dating icon?” or “Why can’t I find it?”
You’re not alone — a lot of people struggle to find and activate the Facebook Dating feature, especially if it’s their first time. But don’t worry — in this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to find the dating icon, enable it, and set up your dating profile from scratch. No fluff. Just clear steps and a few insider tips to get you rolling.
Let’s dive in!
What is the Facebook Dating Feature Anyway?
In case you’re brand new to this, Facebook Dating is a feature built directly into the Facebook mobile app (yep, no separate download needed). It’s totally free to use — no hidden fees, subscriptions, or “premium boosts” like you’ll find on other apps. It’s designed to help you find meaningful relationships based on things like shared interests, events, mutual friends, and more.
But here’s the kicker: you have to activate it first — it’s not enabled by default. And that’s where most people get stuck.
Why You Might Not See the Dating Icon
Before we jump into the how-to, it’s important to know why some people can’t find the dating icon in the first place. Here are a few common reasons:
📱 You’re using an outdated version of the Facebook app
🧑🍼 You’re under 18 (the minimum age requirement)
🌍 It’s not available in your region or country
🔒 You’re using Facebook Lite or the desktop site (yep, dating only works in the regular mobile app)
🧩 You just haven’t set it up yet
So if you're not seeing the icon, don't panic — there's a fix in most cases. Now let's get into the step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Update Your Facebook App
First things first — make sure your Facebook app is up to date. This is crucial. Older versions might not support the Dating feature.
Here’s how to update:
On Android:
Open the Google Play Store
Tap the search bar and type in “Facebook”
If you see an Update button — tap it!
Once it updates, restart the app
On iPhone (iOS):
Go to the App Store
Tap your profile icon in the top right
Scroll down to find Facebook
If it says “Update,” tap it and wait for it to finish
Once that’s done, open Facebook again. If the Dating icon still isn’t showing, go to the next step.
Step 2: Navigate to the Dating Icon
Now that your app is updated, it’s time to find the icon.
Here’s how to find the Facebook Dating icon:
Open the Facebook app
Tap the menu icon (that’s the three horizontal lines, usually at the bottom-right on iPhone or top-right on Android)
Scroll down and look for “Dating” in the menu
Tip: You might need to tap “See More” to find it.
Found it? Awesome! Tap it and jump ahead to the profile creation part.
Still can’t find it? Keep going.
Step 3: Enable Facebook Dating (If the Icon Isn’t Showing)
If the Dating icon isn’t visible, Facebook might need a little nudge. Here’s what you can try:
Try searching for it manually:
Tap the search bar at the top of the app
Type in “Facebook Dating”
Look for the official Dating feature — not a group or page!
Tap on it, and it should take you to the Dating landing page
If that doesn’t work…
Clear your app cache (Android only):
Go to your phone settings
Tap Apps > Facebook
Tap Storage > then tap Clear Cache
Then relaunch the app.
Still no luck? It’s possible Facebook Dating hasn’t launched in your country yet. You can check availability or wait for the feature to roll out.
Step 4: Set Up Your Facebook Dating Profile
Alright — you’ve made it to the Dating section. Now comes the fun part: setting up your profile!
Don't worry — this is separate from your regular Facebook profile. None of your Facebook friends will see your dating activity (unless you both opt into “Secret Crush,” which we’ll get to in a bit).
Follow these steps to create your profile:
Tap Get Started on the Dating screen
Confirm your location (this helps match you with local people)
Add your profile pictures (you can use ones from Facebook or your phone)
Write a short bio about yourself
Fill in details like:
Height
Religion
Education
Work
Kids
Pets
Smoking/Drinking preferences
The more honest and detailed you are, the better your matches will be.
Step 5: Adjust Your Preferences
Facebook Dating lets you fine-tune what you’re looking for. Want someone within 10 miles? Looking for people over 30? Prefer a certain religion? You can set all that up.
Here’s how:
Tap the gear icon ⚙️ on your Dating profile
Adjust your match preferences:
Age range
Gender
Distance
Height
Languages
Kids/Family plans
And more
Feel free to experiment — you can change these anytime.
Step 6: Start Matching and Messaging
Once your profile’s set up and preferences are locked in, Facebook Dating will start showing you potential matches.
Here’s how it works:
You “Like” someone by tapping the heart ❤️
You pass on someone by tapping the “X”
If they like you back — it’s a match!
You can then message them directly (no swiping required)
And remember — these matches aren’t based on your existing Facebook friends, unless you opt-in to Secret Crush.
Bonus Tip: What’s the Secret Crush Feature?
Secret Crush is a fun little twist on the traditional dating experience. You can select up to nine Facebook friends or Instagram followers you’re secretly into. If they’ve also added you as a crush — boom! You’ll both be notified of the match.
If they haven’t added you... no harm, no foul. They won’t know unless it’s mutual.
To add a secret crush:
Go to the Dating section
Tap “Secret Crush”
Select names from your friend list or Instagram followers
Sit back and wait!
Quick Troubleshooting Tips
Still having issues? Here’s a quick recap of what to check:
Issue Solution
Dating icon missing Update the app, use regular Facebook (not Lite), check your age & country
Feature not working Clear cache, try search bar, wait for rollout
App crashing Uninstall and reinstall Facebook app
Dating profile deleted You can only create one profile, and once deleted, there’s a 7-day wait to start over
Is Facebook Dating Safe?
Good question. Facebook Dating actually has some pretty solid privacy and safety features, such as:
You can block people easily
Your regular friends can’t see your dating activity
You can share live location with a trusted friend before a real-life meetup
No need to exchange phone numbers unless you want to
Still, always use common sense when chatting or meeting up with someone new. If it feels off, trust your gut.
Final Thoughts: Is Facebook Dating Worth Trying?
If you’re already on Facebook and want a dating experience that doesn’t come with endless swiping or premium paywalls, then yes — Facebook Dating is definitely worth trying.
It’s easy to set up, free to use, and pretty private. Plus, with features like Secret Crush, event-based matching, and shared interest filters, it feels a bit more natural than some of the other apps out there.
Just remember: not seeing the dating icon doesn’t mean it’s gone. It just means it needs to be activated or updated. And once it’s up and running, you’ll be all set to dive into the dating pool.
🚀 Ready to Find the Dating Icon and Set Up Your Profile?
Follow the guide above, and you’ll be matched up in no time. Want a shortcut to start right away?
👉 Click here to access the Facebook Dating icon and get started now
Good luck out there — and may the matches be ever in your favor!
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