What to Know
- Facebook Dating lives inside the main Facebook app on Android and iPhone. Tap Menu ☰, then Dating (the heart icon). It is not on desktop, Messenger, or Facebook Lite.
- You must be 18 or older and in a supported country. Dating runs in about 50 countries, including the US, UK, and Canada. Nigeria is not on the list as of July 2026.
- No Dating option? Update the app, confirm your age and country, then wait a day or two, Facebook turns it on gradually.
The Facebook Dating icon is a heart tucked inside the app’s main menu, not a separate app you download. If you can’t see it, the fix is almost always your app version, your age setting, or your country. This guide covers Facebook’s documented flow to turn it on, and what to do when it won’t appear. Instructions apply to the Facebook mobile app as of July 2026.
How to Turn On the Dating Icon
- Update the Facebook app. Open the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone), search Facebook, and tap Update if it shows. An old version often hides Dating.
- Open the menu. On Android, tap Menu ☰ in the top right. On iPhone, tap Menu ☰ in the bottom right.
- Tap Dating. Scroll the menu until you see Dating with a heart icon, then tap it.
- Set up your profile. Follow the prompts to add photos, a short bio, and your match preferences. Your Dating profile is separate from your main profile, and friends are not shown to you unless they also use Dating.
Can’t See the Dating Icon? Fixes That Work
Work through these in order. Most missing-icon cases are one of the first three.
- Check your country. Dating runs in about 50 countries. If you are outside them, the icon will not appear, and a VPN does not reliably add it.
- Check your age. Go to Menu ☰ > Settings & privacy > Settings > Personal details and confirm your birthday shows you as 18 or older.
- Use the main app, not Lite or desktop. Dating is missing by design on Facebook Lite, the desktop site, Messenger, and Instagram.
- Clear the app cache (Android). Go to your phone’s Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear cache, then reopen Facebook.
- Wait it out. Even when you qualify, the rollout can take a few days to reach your account.
A Quick Safety Note
Keep chats inside Facebook Dating until you trust the person. Don’t send money, share your home address, or move to a private app early. Meet first in a public place and tell a friend where you’ll be. You can block or report anyone from their Dating profile.
FAQ
Why is the Dating icon missing even though I’m 18 and in the US?
Update the app first, then clear the cache and wait a day. If it still won’t show, log out and back in. See our guide on fixing Facebook Dating when it won’t show up.
Can I use Facebook Dating on a computer?
No. Dating works only in the Facebook app on Android or iPhone, not on the desktop or mobile website.
Is Facebook Dating free?
Yes. There is no charge to turn it on or use it. For a fuller walkthrough, see how Facebook Dating works.
Will my friends know I’m using it?
No. Your Dating profile is separate, and your activity does not appear on your timeline or news feed.
