How To Turn On Facebook Dating In Your Messenger App
One easy method for users to start their road towards meaningful connections is by activating Facebook dating through Facebook Messenger, which they currently use on a daily basis.
There’s a quiet kind of magic in stumbling upon connection—true connection—in a place you least expect it. Maybe you’re sipping late-night coffee, phone in hand, scrolling through a familiar app, when suddenly, something new catches your eye. A different kind of message. Not the usual ping from group chats or that endless thread with your cousin.
This one feels… different.
That’s what Facebook Dating is meant to be. A quiet nudge toward connection in a world that often shouts. If you’ve seen whispers about it inside your Messenger app but haven’t quite figured out how to unlock it—don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Let’s sit down, take a breath, and walk through it together.
What Is Facebook Dating, Really?
Facebook Dating isn’t just another dating app crammed with filters and swipes. It’s woven into the fabric of your existing social world—where your memories already live, where your friends tag you in throwbacks, and where your laughter echoes through comment threads.
It’s not about matching with total strangers in a digital void. Instead, Facebook Dating pulls from shared interests, mutual friends (if you want it to), and the personality you’ve already poured into your profile over the years.
And yes—it’s completely separate from your public Facebook profile. No, your Aunt Linda won’t be liking your dating photos. Breathe easy.
Why Use Facebook Dating Through Messenger?
Let’s be honest.
You already live in Messenger. You chat there. Laugh there. Maybe you’ve even cried there.
So, using Messenger to access Facebook Dating makes the experience feel less like downloading another app, and more like finding a new door inside a house you already know.
And for those of us who don’t want to bounce between a million apps—this is a soft, seamless way to meet someone.
Before You Start: Is Facebook Dating Available In Your Area?
Before we go flipping switches and hunting down icons, let’s check the basics.
Facebook Dating is not available everywhere just yet. If you’re in the United States, Canada, or most countries in Latin America, you’re good. But availability can vary.
Here’s how to check:
- Update the Facebook app on your phone from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the main Facebook app, not Messenger.
- Tap the menu (three horizontal lines).
- Look for “Dating” in the list. If it’s not there, it may not be available in your country—or you may need to update your app.
How to Set Up Facebook Dating (The First Time)
Facebook Dating doesn’t come pre-installed like a weather widget. You need to turn it on, intentionally. That’s part of what makes it beautiful—it’s opt-in. You choose to show up.
Here’s how:
1. Open Your Facebook App, Not Messenger Yet
Yes, we’ll get to Messenger. But first, you need to go through the front door.
- Open the Facebook app on your iPhone or Android.
- Tap the menu icon (three lines—top right for Android, bottom right for iPhone).
- Scroll until you see “Dating.”
- Tap it. You’ve found the entryway.
2. Create Your Facebook Dating Profile
This is where things get intimate. Not in the cringey way—more like quietly personal.
- Facebook will prompt you to create a dating profile separate from your main Facebook timeline.
- You’ll have the option to customize photos, interests, and a short bio.
- It pulls basic info like your first name and age, but lets you decide the rest.
Here’s where you bring your real self. Not your résumé. Not your highlight reel. Just you.
Take your time here.
3. Set Your Preferences
This part matters. Don’t rush.
- Who are you hoping to meet? Set your gender preferences, age range, distance, and more.
- You can also choose whether to match with people who share mutual friends or events you’ve attended.
Think of this like setting the stage. You’re inviting the right kind of energy into your space.
Turning On Facebook Dating in Messenger
Now, let’s bring Messenger into the picture.
You might be wondering, “Why isn’t there just a button in Messenger for dating?”
Well, Facebook didn’t want to clutter Messenger with dating features for people who weren’t interested. But once you’ve created your profile—Messenger knows.
Here’s what to do next.
1. Start a Conversation From the Facebook Dating Section
Once you’ve matched with someone:
- Tap their profile.
- Hit “Send a Message”—this doesn’t go to your main Messenger inbox just yet. It stays inside the Facebook Dating chat area, separate from your other conversations.
BUT—if the conversation continues and you both want to keep it going?
That’s when Messenger wakes up.
2. Conversations Can Move to Messenger (With Consent)
Once you’ve chatted for a bit inside the Facebook Dating tab, you and your match can mutually agree to move the chat into Messenger.
This is where things start feeling real.
When that happens:
- Your conversation appears in Messenger.
- It’s labeled as a “Dating Chat” so you know where it came from.
- You can now use Messenger’s full range of features: voice notes, GIFs, video calls—even location sharing if you’re meeting up.
No swiping anymore. Just talking.
Tips To Get The Most Out Of Facebook Dating
Now that you’re in—fully in—let’s make sure you’re making it count.
1. Be Honest, Not Perfect
Perfection is boring.
Let your profile reflect your quirks, your rhythm, your voice. The way you talk when you’re nervous. The books you don’t finish. The music you play on repeat.
That’s where love lives—in the texture.
2. Use the “Secret Crush” Feature Thoughtfully
Facebook Dating has this feature called Secret Crush. You can select up to nine Facebook friends or Instagram followers you’re interested in.
If they’ve also added you to their Secret Crush list—boom. You’ll both be notified.
But don’t treat this like a popularity contest. Use it like a whisper. A gentle one.
3. Don’t Rush the Move to Messenger
It’s tempting to jump straight into Messenger. But Facebook Dating gives you that space—those quiet early days—to talk without distractions.
Let things simmer. Don’t skip the prelude.
Safety, Boundaries, and Control
Let’s talk safety.
Facebook Dating has built-in features to help keep you safe:
- Block or report anyone who makes you uncomfortable.
- Location sharing is optional—never feel pressured.
- You control who sees your profile. Your Facebook friends won’t see your dating profile unless you want them to.
In short: You’re in control here.