Bumble Releases New Features to Help People Through Quarantine

Dating app Bumble has released new features to help people connect better over the app as most of us around the world stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

One of the new features is the in-app audio/voice note ability, so you can leave a voice message for a match without having to exchange phone numbers, according to The Verge. This is a way to personalize messages with your matches, as texting can feel kind of generic after a while. It’s also another way to filter matches ahead of agreeing to a video chat.

Bumble already offers in-app live video and voice chat capabilities, which have seen a 93% increase in use between March 13 and 27, according to Mashable. Plenty of Fish just rolled out a new version of its video call feature, but most other dating apps including Tinder and Hinge do not offer in-app video or livestream capabilities. Hinge however, is offering an option over messaging to let your match know you’d be interested in a virtual date, which could be done over a third-party video chat service.

How to Virtual Date on Bumble

Image: Bumble

Another notable new feature Bumble has released is the “Virtual Dating Badge” – an option users can add to their profiles to let matches know they are willing to go on video chat dates. And for each new sign-up, Bumble is donating $1 to the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Fund (up to $10,000 total). Bumble users can also filter their searches to match with only those using the badge.

The female-driven dating app is also offering “nation-wide” searches to connect with other users who live more than 100 miles away, expanding its location parameters so users can connect with anyone in their country. This feature is available in all countries in which Bumble is operating. 

Since people are restricted to only virtual dating right now, many apps are loosening distance limitations so members can connect with more people. Tinder is offering its Passport feature free to all users for a limited time, which allows them to date people from other countries. And new dating app OkZoomer is matching college students across the country for blind Zoom dates.

Apps like Zoom and Facetime have been lifelines for people looking to connect while we can’t meet in person. So it makes sense that self-isolating singles are looking for distraction and connection over dating apps, too.