Bumble BFF Review: I Made 3 Friends in a Year, BUT…
It’s been quite some time since I joined Bumble BFF and started making friends through the app.
Reading helpful reviews about the app really influenced my decision to give it a try, so now I want to share my honest thoughts and experiences with Bumble BFF.
I’ll walk you through the whole process—from setting up my profile to swiping through potential friends, starting conversations, and finally meeting up in person.
Plus, I’ll share 5 lessons I’ve learned along the way that can help make your Bumble BFF experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Let’s dive in!
What is Bumble BFF?
Bumble BFF is a fun and easy way to make new friends.
Think of it like a dating app, but instead of looking for romantic partners, you’re connecting with people who share your interests and hobbies.
Here’s how it works: First, you set up your profile by uploading up to 6 photos and writing a little about yourself.
You’ll also choose your age, location, and gender preferences.
Once your profile is ready, you can start swiping through profiles of others nearby who are also looking for friends.
If you find someone who seems like a good match, just swipe right to show your interest.
If they swipe right on you too, it’s a match!
Then you can start chatting and getting to know each other better.
Why I Decided to Try Bumble BFF
I decided to join Bumble BFF because I realized just how lonely I had become.
My old friendships had faded away to almost nothing.
As my long-time friends and I moved, started new careers, and built families, we gradually lost touch.
I really wanted a fresh start and the chance to connect with new female friends in my area—women I could hang out with regularly and do fun activities together.
But there was a catch.
I had been living as a super introverted hermit for the past ten years, and I had no clue how to meet other women in their 30s who were also looking for new friendships.
Then I came across some positive Bumble BFF reviews, and I felt a spark of hope.
It seemed convenient, fun, and just right for me.
I was excited to give it a try!
Setting Up My Bumble BFF Profile
Creating my Bumble BFF profile was super easy.
The layout felt familiar, just like other dating apps I’ve used, which made it a breeze to navigate.
The app even had a handy “Complete My Profile” prompt that helped me along the way.
I followed the steps and added some fun photos, then filled out the “My Life” and “My Interests” sections.
I took a moment to answer a few personality prompts to give potential friends a peek into who I am.
When it came to my bio, I kept it simple and honest, sharing the kind of friendships I was looking for and the activities I enjoy.
To make it more personal, I linked my Spotify account.
Music is a huge part of my life, and I think having similar tastes can be helpful in finding friends who vibe with me.
Sometimes, I hesitated before connecting with certain profiles, but seeing their music preferences made me swipe right, hoping we could bond over our favorite artists.
On the flip side, there were definitely profiles where the music choices made me say, “Nope,” and I swiped left.
Looking for Friends Nearby
Living in a pretty large city, I’m thankful for the diverse pool of potential friends on Bumble BFF.
To make sure my matches are nearby, I’ve set my distance filters to within 15 miles and a bit further.
Of course, there are times when I run out of matches, and that can be a little disappointing.
But I’ve learned that patience is really important in this process.
Instead of giving up, I keep the app on my phone and check back after a few weeks, giving more women a chance to pop up as potential matches.
I’ve come to accept that finding friends on Bumble BFF takes time.
Not every swipe will lead to a great match, and that’s totally normal.
There are moments when I scroll through profiles without feeling a real connection, but I know that’s just part of the experience.
The good news is that new users are always joining the app, so it’s worth checking back and giving it another try.
This mindset has made the whole experience feel more manageable and positive, knowing that the next great connection could be just around the corner.
Swiping on Bumble BFF
Using Bumble BFF is a lot like swiping on dating apps.
If you want to pass on someone, you swipe left, and if you’re interested, you swipe right.
I’m pretty selective about who I swipe right on because I want to match with people I genuinely think could be good friends.
I often skip over women who seem nice but don’t share many of my interests.
I also avoid profiles that only have great pictures but don’t give much info about themselves.
And if a profile gives me the creeps or raises any red flags, it’s definitely a left swipe.
I always swipe with the goal of finding friends who have similar hobbies, interests, and lifestyles, or who share similar goals.
I look for signs that someone could be supportive, fun, and creative—qualities that make for a solid friendship.
By being a bit picky, I save time and keep my peace by steering clear of incompatible or weird people, as well as friendships that might come from desperation.
Making Matches
I’ve had pretty good luck finding matches on Bumble BFF.
It’s important to note that not every woman I like ends up liking me back, and that’s totally okay.
I’ve learned that creating a profile that truly reflects who I am and what I want in a friend really helps me connect with women who share my interests and values.
So even if not every right swipe leads to a match, being genuine and clear about what I’m looking for has helped me match with people who are better suited as friends.
Starting Conversations
Once you match with someone on Bumble BFF, you have 72 hours to start chatting.
I think the person who completed the match should send the first message to show they’re interested.
But if I’m really excited about a match, I’m totally fine with making the first move myself.
In my experience, conversations on Bumble BFF can sometimes feel a bit awkward.
While I’ve had a few good chats, most don’t go very far.
It seems like a lot of users struggle with socializing, often not contributing much or asking follow-up questions.
When I find myself doing most of the talking, I usually just end the conversation politely and move on.
But if the chat is flowing and we seem to click, I’ve found that suggesting a quick in-person meetup within a few days works really well.
This way, we can keep the conversation going face-to-face instead of letting it fizzle out over text.
Overall, most matches have responded positively to this approach.
Meeting My Bumble BFF Matches
Meeting up with Bumble BFF matches has been a pretty positive experience for me overall.
I’ve had brunch with a couple of women and met another at a cozy coffee shop, and those first meetups were really enjoyable.
At first, meeting a stranger felt a bit awkward, but after about 10 or 15 minutes, we all started to relax and have fun together.
We could be ourselves, which led to some great times and hangouts over a couple of years.
That said, I have to be honest: these interactions didn’t turn into lasting friendships.
They were fun, but more like temporary companions rather than real besties.
Disappointingly, over time, each of those friendships gradually faded away.
If you want to know more about what happened, check out my article on Bumble BFF horror stories.
My Complete Bumble BFF Review
My experience with Bumble BFF has been generally positive, and I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
However, it’s important to know that the app works a lot like a dating app, with many users using it out of boredom, for an ego boost, or to find dates, which can affect the overall experience.
Some people don’t take friendship seriously and end it for small reasons because there are so many options.
Plus, some people pretend to be someone they’re not to gain approval, and it can take time for their true selves to show, which can be shocking or reveal huge incompatibilities.
Still, I believe there’s a chance to find real friends on the app, especially if you live in a big, diverse city.
It does take time and effort, though.
It can also be a great way to meet interesting people and find companions for fun activities.
So, if you’re looking to expand your social circle, I recommend giving Bumble BFF a shot.
Just be ready to put in some effort and patience to find friendships that last.
Bonus: What I Learned from Using Bumble BFF
If you want to make the most of your time on Bumble BFF, I’ve put together a handy cheat sheet based on my own experiences with the app.
These tips are designed to help you find your new best friend in no time.
1. Take the Initiative
Just like in dating, being proactive on Bumble BFF is key.
Don’t hesitate to start the conversation and suggest hangouts.
Also, be open to others who want to get to know you!
2. It’s Okay to Be Selective
Being picky with your swipes can actually help you meet friends who share your interests and values.
By being selective, you can avoid wasting time on people who aren’t a good fit, like timewasters or those who seem off.
3. Don’t Be Surprised if Some Chats Fade
It’s normal for conversations to fizzle out, even if they started off well.
Don’t let it get you down.
Life happens, and people have their reasons for going quiet.
Just try not to take it personally.
4. Patience is Important
Finding the right friend might take some time.
Be patient and don’t rush things.
Keep checking out different profiles and chatting with people to boost your chances of finding your new bestie.
Take breaks when you need to, but keep at it!
5. Make Plans Early
Since Bumble BFF is all about platonic friendships, it can be tough to keep text conversations going for too long.
To keep the momentum up and really see how you click as friends, try to make plans early on.
Once you find some common interests, set up a hangout right away.
This will help you gauge your friendship and keep the conversation flowing.
You can also check out my article with 18 Bumble BFF Tips for more advice on how to use Bumble BFF to make friends as an adult.
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