Facebook Dating often raises simple questions from iPhone users. What exactly is it, where do you find it, and how does it work once you are inside? Many people hear about it from friends or online but struggle to understand how it fits into the regular Facebook app on iOS.
This guide explains, in clear terms, what Facebook Dating is, where it appears on iPhone, and how matching, likes, notifications, and messages work from start to finish.
What Is Facebook Dating?
Facebook Dating is a built-in dating feature inside the Facebook app. It allows users to create a separate dating profile and connect with singles based on shared interests, preferences, and location.
Unlike traditional dating apps, Facebook Dating does not require a new download. It uses your existing Facebook account but keeps your dating activity separate from your main profile. Friends do not see your Dating profile, and Dating messages stay inside the Dating section, not Facebook Messenger.
In simple terms, Facebook Dating helps you meet new people without leaving the Facebook app, using information you already share with the platform.
Where Facebook Dating Appears on iPhone
One reason many users ask what is Facebook Dating is because it feels hidden on iPhone.
On iOS, Facebook Dating appears inside the main Facebook app. To find it:
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Open the Facebook app on your iPhone
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Tap the menu icon in the bottom-right corner
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Scroll through the shortcuts
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Look for “Dating” or tap “See more” if it is not visible
If Facebook Dating is available for your account and region, it will open a setup screen the first time you tap it.
Facebook frequently changes its menu layout, so Dating may not always appear in the same place. Some users find it faster by using the search bar within the app and typing “Facebook Dating.”
Setting Up Facebook Dating on iPhone
Before matching begins, iPhone users must set up a Dating profile. This profile is separate from your main Facebook profile, though some details like name and age are shared.
During setup, you will:
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Choose photos for your Dating profile
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Answer prompts about interests and values
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Set preferences for age range, distance, and gender
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Decide whether mutual friends can be suggested
The setup process usually takes a few minutes. A complete profile improves match quality and visibility.
How Matching Works on Facebook Dating iPhone
Understanding how Facebook Dating works on iPhone helps reduce confusion and frustration.
Facebook Dating does not use endless swiping. Instead, it presents suggested profiles one at a time based on:
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Location and distance preferences
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Age range and gender settings
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Shared interests, groups, or events
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Activity and engagement patterns
You can either express interest or pass on each suggested profile. There is no public “like count,” and profiles are shown gradually rather than in large batches.
Matching only happens when both users show interest in each other. Until then, interest remains private.
How iPhone Users Send Likes
On Facebook Dating iPhone, sending a like is simple and more intentional than on many dating apps.
You can:
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Like someone’s entire profile
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Like a specific photo
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Like a written prompt response
This allows you to signal interest in something specific rather than the profile as a whole. It also gives the other person context when they see your interest.
There is no visible swipe motion. Actions are done through on-screen buttons and taps.
How Matches Work
A match occurs when two users like each other. Once this happens:
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Both users receive a match notification inside Facebook Dating
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A private conversation space opens automatically
Matches do not appear on your main Facebook profile. They exist only within the Dating interface.
Facebook Dating does not show matches to your Facebook friends unless you both choose to use the “Secret Crush” feature.
How iPhone Users Receive Likes and Match Notifications
Notifications on Facebook Dating iPhone are subtle by design.
When someone likes your profile:
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You may see a notification inside the Dating section
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Some users receive a general Facebook notification, depending on settings
When you get a match:
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A Dating notification appears
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The match shows up in your Dating inbox
These alerts do not reveal personal details on your lock screen unless notifications are fully enabled in iOS settings.
How Messaging Works Inside Facebook Dating
Messaging on Facebook Dating works separately from Facebook Messenger.
Key points to understand:
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Messages stay inside the Dating section
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You cannot send photos, videos, or links immediately
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Conversations begin with text only
This design reduces spam and scams, especially for new matches.
Messages are organized in a simple inbox where you can see all active conversations. If a conversation goes quiet, Facebook may stop showing the match as active after some time.
What Makes Facebook Dating Different on iPhone
On iPhone, Facebook Dating follows iOS privacy rules closely. This affects:
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Location permissions
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Notification behavior
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Background activity
As a result, iPhone users may notice fewer alerts or slower refresh rates if permissions are limited. Allowing Facebook to access location while using the app improves match relevance.
Common Questions iPhone Users Have
Many users wonder if Facebook Dating iPhone works differently from Android. In practice, the core features are the same. The main differences are menu layout, notification handling, and system permissions.
Another common concern is whether Facebook Dating uses your posts or messages. It does not read private messages. It only uses selected profile details and activity signals allowed under Facebook’s policies.
Final Thoughts
Facebook Dating is a built-in dating feature designed for people who already use Facebook and want a quieter, more profile-based way to meet others. For iPhone users, the main challenge is finding the feature and understanding how it operates within the app.
Once you know where it appears and how matching, likes, and messages work, the experience becomes straightforward. If you have ever wondered what is Facebook Dating or how Facebook Dating works on iPhone, the answer is simple. It is Facebook’s way of turning everyday social connections into potential relationships, without leaving the app you already use.
