Making friends as an adult is hard. Like, really hard.
You can't just walk up to someone at the grocery store and say "Want to be friends?" (Well, you could, but it would be weird.)
That's where Bumble BFF comes in. It's Bumble's friend-finding feature that uses the same swiping mechanic as dating, but for platonic friendships.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using Bumble BFF to make real friends.
What Is Bumble BFF?
Bumble BFF is a mode within the Bumble app specifically for making friends.
How it's different from Bumble Date:
- No romantic intentions
- Either person can message first (no gender rules)
- No 24-hour time limit on messages
- Focus on shared interests and activities
- Same-gender matches only (usually)
Who uses it:
- People new to a city
- Those looking for activity partners
- Anyone wanting to expand their social circle
- People whose friends moved away
- Those seeking specific hobby buddies
How to Switch to Bumble BFF
Step 1: Open Bumble
If you already have Bumble for dating, you don't need a separate app.
Step 2: Switch Modes
- Tap your profile icon (bottom left)
- Tap the mode selector at the top
- Choose "Bumble BFF"
- Confirm the switch
Pro tip: You can switch between Date, BFF, and Bizz modes anytime. Your profiles are separate.
Step 3: Set Up Your BFF Profile
Your dating profile doesn't carry over. You'll create a new profile specifically for making friends.
Creating Your Bumble BFF Profile
Photos (6 Required)
What works for BFF:
- Clear face shots (people want to see who you are)
- Doing activities you enjoy
- With other friends (shows you're social)
- At places you like to hang out
- Hobbies and interests
- Travel photos
What doesn't work:
- Overly posed or filtered photos
- All party photos (can seem intimidating)
- No photos showing your interests
- Dark or blurry photos
Pro tip: Show your personality and interests. People want to know what you'd do together.
Bio (300 Characters)
Be specific about what kind of friend you're looking for.
Good BFF bio:
"New to Seattle! Looking for hiking buddies, brunch friends, and someone to explore the city with. Love trying new restaurants, board game nights, and terrible reality TV. Dog mom to a golden retriever who needs friends too 🐕"
Bad BFF bio:
"Looking for friends. I like to have fun and hang out."
Tips:
- Mention your interests and hobbies
- Say what you're looking for (hiking buddy, coffee friend, etc.)
- Show your personality
- Be specific, not generic
- Mention if you're new to the area
Interests
Select interests that matter for friendships:
- Fitness activities
- Food and dining
- Hobbies
- Entertainment preferences
- Lifestyle choices
Pro tip: Choose interests you actually want to do with friends, not just things you like.
Advanced Info
Fill out:
- What you're looking for (activity partner, new to city, etc.)
- Your lifestyle (exercise habits, drinking, etc.)
- Your schedule (weekends, evenings, etc.)
How Bumble BFF Works
Swiping
Swipe right — Want to be friends Swipe left — Pass
What you'll see:
- People of the same gender (usually)
- In your age range and location
- With similar interests
Matching
When you both swipe right, you match.
Key differences from dating:
- Either person can message first
- No 24-hour time limit
- Less pressure overall
Messaging
Once you match, start a conversation.
Good first messages:
- Reference something from their profile
- Suggest a specific activity
- Ask about shared interests
- Be friendly and genuine
Examples:
- "I saw you're into hiking! Have you done [trail name]? I've been wanting to check it out"
- "Another board game fan! What's your favorite game? I'm always looking for new ones to try"
- "You mentioned you're new to the city too! Want to explore some coffee shops together?"
Tips for Success on Bumble BFF
1. Be Specific About What You Want
Don't just say "looking for friends." Say what kind of friend.
Examples:
- "Looking for a gym buddy to keep me accountable"
- "Need someone to try new restaurants with"
- "Seeking fellow dog owners for park hangs"
- "Want a friend for weekend adventures"
2. Show Your Interests
People want to know what you'd do together.
In your profile:
- Photos of you doing activities
- Mention specific hobbies
- Talk about your routine
- Share what you're into
3. Be Active
Like dating, you need to put in effort.
How to be active:
- Swipe regularly (a few times a week)
- Respond to messages quickly
- Suggest meeting up
- Follow through on plans
4. Suggest Specific Activities
Don't just say "we should hang out sometime."
Good suggestions:
- "Want to check out that new coffee shop on Saturday?"
- "I'm going to [event] this weekend. Want to join?"
- "There's a great hiking trail I've been wanting to try. Interested?"
- "I'm planning a game night next Friday. Want to come?"
5. Start with Low-Pressure Hangouts
First friend-dates should be casual and easy to leave.
Good first hangouts:
- Coffee (30 minutes, easy exit)
- Walk in a park
- Lunch
- Checking out a new place together
Avoid for first hangouts:
- Your place or theirs
- All-day activities
- Expensive events
- Group hangouts (too overwhelming)
6. Be Patient
Making friends takes time. Don't get discouraged.
Reality check:
- You'll match with lots of people
- Most won't lead to actual friendships
- That's normal and okay
- Keep trying
Common Bumble BFF Challenges
"I'm Getting Matches But No One Messages"
The problem: People swipe but don't follow through
The solution:
- Message first (don't wait for them)
- Send engaging first messages
- Reference their profile
- Suggest a specific activity
"Conversations Die Quickly"
The problem: Small talk goes nowhere
The solution:
- Skip the small talk
- Suggest meeting up after 3-5 messages
- Be specific about plans
- Show genuine interest
"People Flake on Plans"
The problem: They agree to hang out but cancel
The solution:
- Start with low-commitment activities
- Confirm plans the day before
- Be understanding (life happens)
- Don't take it personally
- Keep trying with other people
"I Feel Awkward Making the First Move"
The problem: Feels weird to ask someone to be your friend
The solution:
- Remember they're on BFF too (they want friends)
- Frame it as an activity, not "being friends"
- Start casual ("Want to check out X?")
- Everyone feels awkward at first
"I'm Not Finding People I Click With"
The problem: Matches don't feel like friend material
The solution:
- Expand your age range
- Increase your distance
- Be more open-minded
- Give people a chance (one hangout minimum)
- Update your profile to attract your type
Bumble BFF vs. Other Friend-Making Apps
Bumble BFF vs. Meetup
Bumble BFF:
- One-on-one connections
- Swipe-based matching
- More like dating apps
- Easier for introverts
Meetup:
- Group activities
- Interest-based events
- More structured
- Better for extroverts
Bumble BFF vs. Facebook Groups
Bumble BFF:
- Designed for making friends
- Profile-based matching
- Private and safe
- Active user base
Facebook Groups:
- Community-based
- Event-focused
- Less structured
- Varies by group
Best Approach
Use multiple methods:
- Bumble BFF for one-on-one friends
- Meetup for group activities
- Facebook groups for community
- Real-life opportunities (classes, gym, etc.)
Does Bumble BFF Actually Work?
The honest answer: Yes, but it takes effort.
Success stories:
- People finding best friends
- Activity partners for hobbies
- Support systems in new cities
- Long-term friendships
Reality check:
- Takes time (months, not weeks)
- Requires active effort
- Many matches won't work out
- Need to be open-minded
- Have to actually meet up
Who it works best for:
- New to a city
- Willing to put in effort
- Open to different types of people
- Actually follows through on plans
- Patient and persistent
Safety Tips for Bumble BFF
Meeting in Person
Always:
- Meet in public places
- Tell someone where you're going
- Trust your instincts
- Have your own transportation
- Keep first hangouts short
Never:
- Go to their place first time
- Share too much personal info immediately
- Feel pressured to continue if uncomfortable
- Ignore red flags
Red Flags
Watch out for:
- Pushing to meet at their place
- Asking for money
- Being overly personal too fast
- Inconsistent stories
- Making you uncomfortable
If something feels off, trust your gut and move on.
Bumble BFF Success Stories
"Found My Best Friend"
"I moved to a new city for work and didn't know anyone. Used Bumble BFF and found my now-best friend. We've been friends for 2 years and hang out multiple times a week."
"Built a Whole Friend Group"
"Started with one friend from Bumble BFF. She introduced me to her friends, and now I have a whole social circle. Best decision ever."
"Found My Running Buddy"
"I wanted someone to run with. Found a girl on Bumble BFF who was training for the same race. We've been running partners for a year now."
Alternatives to Bumble BFF
If Bumble BFF isn't working, try:
Other apps:
- Friender
- Meetup
- Nextdoor
- Facebook Groups
Real-life options:
- Join a gym or fitness class
- Take a class (cooking, art, etc.)
- Volunteer
- Join a sports league
- Attend local events
- Go to meetups
Work/school:
- Coworkers
- Classmates
- Alumni groups
- Professional organizations
The Bottom Line
Bumble BFF works if you:
- Put in consistent effort
- Have a good profile
- Actually message people
- Suggest specific activities
- Follow through on plans
- Are patient and persistent
It won't work if you:
- Just swipe and don't message
- Wait for others to make all the effort
- Flake on plans
- Give up after a few tries
- Aren't open to different types of people
Our take: Bumble BFF is one of the best tools for making friends as an adult, especially if you're new to a city or your friends have moved away. But it's a tool, not a magic solution. You still need to put in effort.
Ready to Make New Friends?
Want conversation help? Try Rizz AI — works for friend conversations too!
More friendship resources:
Related Articles: