Bumble, the popular dating and networking app, has launched a new app called Bumble For Friends, dedicated solely to finding friends in your area. This move comes seven years after the company introduced Bumble BFF, a feature within the main Bumble app that allows users to make friends. Bumble For Friends has been in testing since earlier this year in the United Kingdom and select regions of Asia, and is now available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Bumble For Friends functions much like Bumble BFF, which currently makes up 15 percent of Bumble’s monthly active users, according to a spokesperson for the company. However, unlike Bumble BFF, users do not need to download the dating app to access the friend-finding feature. Similar to a dating app, users create a profile with a mix of photos, information about themselves, and responses to prompts. This includes details such as drinking preferences, political affiliation, relationship status, and reasons for wanting to make friends. The profile also provides space for users to share their interests, such as dogs or dancing, which helps the app match them with potential friends based on shared hobbies or activities.
One new feature on Bumble For Friends is the option to create group chats. If users believe that some of their matches would get along well, they can add two or more of them to a group chat. To use this option, users can go to the conversations tab and select a suggested activity or create their own. Users can also give the group chat a name, which can be edited later on. Invited matches will receive a notification about the chat, showing them the chosen title or potential activity, and they can join the conversation and start talking.
Bumble For Friends is free to download and can be accessed through either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Users can create a new account for the app or log into their existing Bumble account and have their profile and matches transferred over. Once this is done, their Bumble BFF account will disappear from the original app, but users can still use the Date or Bizz modes if they prefer. However, it seems that Bumble is not forcing users to switch to the new app, allowing them to keep all their accounts in one place if they wish.
The introduction of Bumble For Friends expands the company’s mission of providing a platform for meaningful connections beyond traditional romantic relationships. It recognizes the importance of friendship and companionship in people’s lives and aims to facilitate new friendships in a safe and inclusive environment. The app’s profile and matching system, along with the added feature of group chats, offer users more options and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and build new social circles.
With its user-friendly interface and established user base, Bumble For Friends has the potential to become a go-to app for those seeking new friendships. Whether users are new to an area, looking to expand their social circle, or simply wanting to meet like-minded individuals, Bumble For Friends provides an accessible and engaging platform to connect with others. By focusing solely on friendship, the app creates a space where users can be themselves and form meaningful connections based on shared interests, values, and goals.
In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected digitally, the need for genuine human connections remains paramount. Bumble For Friends acknowledges this need and strives to provide a solution that transcends traditional dating apps. By giving users the opportunity to make friends with the same ease and convenience as finding a romantic partner, Bumble For Friends revolutionizes the way we approach friendship and community-building in the digital age.
The launch of Bumble For Friends signifies the company’s commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of its users. As the app continues to gain traction and expand its user base, it has the potential to reshape the way we view and cultivate friendships. Whether it’s connecting with someone over a shared love for dogs or finding a group of individuals who enjoy the same activities, Bumble For Friends offers a platform to forge genuine and lasting friendships.
