What to Know
- The top reason Dating is missing is location: it is only in 50-plus countries, and most of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia are not covered as of July 2026.
- Quick fixes: update the Facebook app, turn on location permission for Facebook, and use a standard personal account (not a Page or professional mode).
- Dating is 18+ and mobile-only — it never appears on the desktop site.
If the Dating heart is missing from your Facebook menu, work through the checks below in order. Most cases are either an unsupported country or a setting you can fix in a minute. This follows Facebook’s documented flow on the Facebook app for Android and iPhone, July 2026. We are not affiliated with Meta.
Why Facebook Dating is not showing up
Dating can be hidden for a few common reasons:
- Your country is not supported (the most common cause).
- You are under 18.
- You are on a Page or a professional-mode profile instead of a standard personal account.
- Location permission for Facebook is turned off.
- The Facebook app is out of date, or its cache is corrupted.
- Facebook is having a temporary server outage.
Check your country first
Facebook Dating runs in 50-plus countries — the US, Canada, most of Europe, and parts of South America and Southeast Asia — but not across most of Africa. If Dating has never appeared for you, an unsupported country is the likely reason, and no in-app fix will add it until Meta expands there. Confirm current eligibility on Facebook’s Who can use Facebook Dating page.
Fixes to try
Update the Facebook app
- Open the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone).
- Search Facebook and tap Update if it is offered.
- Fully close and reopen Facebook, then check the menu again.
Turn on location permission
Dating needs your location to suggest nearby matches. If it is off, the shortcut can disappear.
- On Android: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions > Location > Allow only while using the app.
- On iPhone: Settings > Facebook > Location > While Using the App.
Use a standard personal account
Dating only works on a normal personal profile. If you have professional mode on, or you are managing a Page, switch back to your personal profile before looking for the Dating heart.
Clear the Facebook cache (Android)
A corrupted cache can stop the menu from refreshing. Go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear cache. This does not delete your account or messages. On iPhone, offload and reinstall the app instead.
Rule out a Facebook outage
If a friend in the same country also can’t reach Dating at that moment, Facebook may be down. Wait an hour and try again. If only you are affected, the problem is on your device or account.
Contact Facebook support
If nothing works, report it in-app: tap Menu > Help & Support > Report a Problem, and describe the missing Dating feature.
How to delete your Dating profile
To remove Dating without touching your main account: open Dating, tap the Settings gear, choose Delete Profile, pick a reason (or skip), and confirm. You can create a new Dating profile again later.
FAQ
Why did Facebook Dating disappear after I had it?
Usually a temporary outage, an app that needs updating, traveling to an unsupported country, or an account restriction. Update the app and check your location first.
Does Facebook Dating work on a laptop or PC?
No. Dating is only in the Facebook mobile app. It will never show on the desktop site, so use your phone.
I’m in Africa — why can’t I get Facebook Dating?
As of July 2026, Dating has not rolled out to most of Africa. Until Meta expands there, it will not appear regardless of app version or settings.
Do I have to be 18 to use Facebook Dating?
Yes. Facebook Dating is limited to users aged 18 and over.
Still stuck on setup? See our guide to opening and setting up Facebook Dating.
