Reasons Why You Don’t Have Facebook Dating and How to Get It

Facebook Dating is a feature that many singles are eager to explore. It promises a unique way to connect with potential partners by leveraging the vast network and data of Facebook itself. However, some users find themselves perplexed because the option isn’t available to them. If you’ve been wondering why you can’t access Facebook Dating, you’re not alone. This article will delve into the possible reasons behind the issue and guide you on how to unlock this feature. Let’s break it down step by step.

What is Facebook Dating?

Before diving into the reasons why you might not have Facebook Dating, let’s quickly cover what it is. Facebook Dating is an in-app feature within Facebook that allows users to create a separate dating profile and connect with others interested in finding romantic partners. It was introduced in 2019 and is available in many countries, offering a more personalized experience by using Facebook’s data to suggest matches. The feature is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing Facebook account while keeping your dating profile separate from your main profile, so your friends and family won’t see your dating activity unless you choose to share it.

Why You Don’t Have Facebook Dating 

1. Facebook Dating Isn’t Available in Your Country

One of the most straightforward reasons you might not have Facebook Dating is simply because it isn’t available in your country yet. Facebook Dating started rolling out in specific regions and has gradually expanded to more locations over time. However, as of now, it is still not available worldwide.

How to Check If It’s Available in Your Country

• Go to the Facebook Help Center and search for “Facebook Dating Availability.”

• Alternatively, you can try to update your Facebook app, as sometimes new features become available through updates.

If it turns out that Facebook Dating isn’t available in your country, you might have to wait until it rolls out in your region. Facebook continues to expand its services, so it’s worth checking periodically if you’re keen on using this feature.

2. You’re Under 18 Years Old

Facebook Dating is only available to users who are 18 years or older. If you’re under the age of 18, you won’t be able to access Facebook Dating at all. This is part of Facebook’s effort to protect minors and ensure a safe environment for all users.

How to Resolve This Issue

• If you’re over 18 and still can’t access Facebook Dating, ensure your birthdate is correctly listed on your Facebook profile.

• If your birthdate is incorrect, you can change it by going to your profile settings, but be aware that you may be asked to provide verification to make this change.

3. You Haven’t Updated Your Facebook App

Another common reason why you might not see Facebook Dating is that your app isn’t up to date. Facebook frequently updates its app to introduce new features, fix bugs, and improve security. If you’re using an outdated version, you may be missing out on Facebook Dating.

How to Update Your Facebook App

• On iOS: Go to the App Store, tap on your profile icon at the top right, and scroll down to see if an update is available for Facebook.

• On Android: Open the Google Play Store, tap on the menu icon, and go to “My apps & games.” If Facebook is listed under updates, tap “Update.”

After updating, check if Facebook Dating appears in the app. If it does, you should be able to set up your dating profile right away.

4. Facebook Dating Isn’t Available on the Desktop

Another reason why you might not see Facebook Dating is that you’re using Facebook on a desktop or laptop computer. Facebook Dating is only available on the Facebook mobile app, not on the desktop site.

How to Access Facebook Dating

• Download the Facebook app from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android).

• Log in to your account on the mobile app.

• Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and scroll down until you see “Dating.”

If you’re exclusively using Facebook on a desktop or laptop, it’s time to switch to the mobile app if you want to access the dating feature.

5. Your Facebook Account is Too New

Facebook Dating might not be available if your account is relatively new. This is likely a security measure to prevent spam or fraudulent accounts from abusing the feature. Facebook typically requires that your account be established for a certain period before enabling certain features, including Facebook Dating.

What to Do If Your Account is Too New

• Wait for a few weeks to see if the feature becomes available after your account matures.

• Meanwhile, ensure your account is fully set up, with a profile picture, friends, and activity, to help build credibility.

6. Facebook Dating is Disabled by Facebook

Sometimes, Facebook may disable features, including Facebook Dating, on your account due to a violation of community standards or other issues. If you’ve had any recent infractions, this could be the reason why you don’t see the option.

How to Check If Your Account Is Restricted

• Go to the Facebook Help Center and search for “Disabled Account” or “Restricted Features.”

• Review your account settings to see if you’ve received any notifications about infractions.

If your account has been restricted, you may need to appeal the decision or wait until the restriction is lifted to access Facebook Dating.

7. You’re Not Using Your Real Identity

Facebook Dating requires that you use your real identity on your Facebook account. If you’re using a fake name or pseudonym, you won’t be able to access this feature. Facebook’s policies require all users to use the name they go by in everyday life, and this extends to Facebook Dating.

How to Resolve Identity Issues

• If you’re using a fake name, update your profile to reflect your real name.

• If Facebook asks for verification, you may need to submit an ID to confirm your identity.

Once your account is verified with your real name, you should be able to access Facebook Dating if all other conditions are met.

8. Facebook Dating is Glitching

Technical glitches can also be a reason why you don’t have Facebook Dating. Sometimes, even when all other conditions are met, bugs in the app can prevent features from appearing.

How to Troubleshoot Glitches

• Log out and log back into the app.

• Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app.

• Clear your app cache by going to your device’s settings and finding the Facebook app under “Apps.”

If you’ve tried these steps and still can’t access Facebook Dating, you might need to wait for Facebook to release a fix in a future update.

9. You’ve Disabled Facebook Notifications

If you’ve disabled notifications for Facebook or specifically for new features, you might not have been alerted to the availability of Facebook Dating. Sometimes, the feature is there, but because you didn’t receive a notification, you might not have realized it.

How to Re-enable Notifications

• On iOS: Go to Settings > Notifications > Facebook and ensure that notifications are enabled.

• On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Notifications and toggle on notifications.

After enabling notifications, you should be alerted to new features like Facebook Dating.

10. Your Facebook App Doesn’t Have Location Services Enabled

Facebook Dating requires access to your location to suggest potential matches nearby. If your location services are turned off, Facebook Dating may not appear as an option.

How to Enable Location Services

• On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and toggle on location services for Facebook.

• On Android: Go to Settings > Location > App permissions and allow location access for Facebook.

With location services enabled, you should be able to see Facebook Dating as an option in your app.

11. Your Facebook App is Restricted by Parental Controls

If your device has parental controls enabled, it might block access to certain features, including Facebook Dating. This can happen if your device is set up to restrict content based on age or if certain apps and features are restricted.

How to Check Parental Controls

• On iOS: Go to Settings > Screen Time and see if any restrictions are applied to Facebook.

• On Android: Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls and check the restrictions.

If parental controls are blocking Facebook Dating, you may need to adjust the settings or disable them to access the feature.

12. You’ve Deleted and Reinstalled the Facebook App

In some cases, deleting and reinstalling the Facebook app can temporarily remove features, including Facebook Dating. When you reinstall the app, it might not immediately restore all features, especially if your backup settings aren’t fully synced.

How to Restore Facebook Features

• Ensure that you’re logging back into the same Facebook account.

• Give the app some time to sync all features after reinstallation.

If Facebook Dating doesn’t reappear, you may need to wait or contact Facebook support for further assistance.

13. Facebook Dating Isn’t Available in Your Age Group

While Facebook Dating is available to users 18 and older, certain features or match suggestions might be restricted for specific age groups. This could be due to Facebook’s efforts to provide a safer environment for different demographics.

How to Navigate Age Restrictions

• Ensure your age is correctly entered in your profile.

• If you’re over 18 and still facing issues, consider that some features might be phased in gradually for different age groups.

Age group restrictions are less common but could explain why Facebook Dating isn’t showing up for you.

14. Facebook Dating is Not Available in Your Language

Facebook Dating may not be available in all languages supported by Facebook. If your account is set to a language that isn’t supported by Facebook Dating, the feature might not appear.

How to Change Your Language Settings

• Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Language and Region.

• Select a language that supports Facebook Dating (usually English or another widely spoken language).

Switching languages might immediately unlock the dating feature if this was the issue.

How to Get Facebook Dating

Now that we’ve covered why you might not have Facebook Dating, let’s discuss how to get it if it’s available.

Step 1: Ensure Your Account Is Set Up Correctly

• Double-check your age, location, and identity.

• Make sure your Facebook account is in good standing with no recent infractions.

Step 2: Update Your Facebook App

• Regularly check for updates in the App Store or Google Play Store.

• Ensure that you’re using the latest version of Facebook.

Step 3: Access Facebook Dating

• Open the Facebook app and tap on the menu icon.

• Scroll down to find “Dating” and tap to begin setting up your profile.

Step 4: Troubleshoot if Necessary

• If Facebook Dating still doesn’t appear, try the troubleshooting tips mentioned above, like logging out and back in, or reinstalling the app.

Conclusion

Facebook Dating is a great tool for those looking to meet new people within the comfort of their existing social network. If you’re not seeing the feature, it’s likely due to one of the reasons outlined above. By following the steps provided, you should be able to troubleshoot the issue and get started with Facebook Dating if it’s available in your region. 

Remember, new features can take time to roll out, so if you don’t have access yet, it might just be a matter of waiting. Keep your app updated and stay tuned for when Facebook Dating becomes available to you.