Bumble says it will remove swiping from its dating app

In short: Bumble plans to phase out the swipe feature and replace it with new ways to match and plan dates, with a full redesign expected in Q4 2026.

What happened

Bumble, the dating app founded in 2014, says it is getting rid of swiping, the simple left or right motion many people use to like or pass on someone. CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd confirmed the change in May 2026 interviews. Bumble says users will still be able to swipe until the redesigned app rolls out in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Bumble is making this change as it tries to address what it calls dating app fatigue. Wolfe Herd said people feel worn out by endless swiping and that it can lead to low quality conversations instead of real connections. The company has also reported declines in paid users, including a drop to 3.2 million paid subscribers in Q1 2026, down from 4 million a year earlier.

The company says the replacement will lean more on built-in AI (software that can suggest things based on patterns, like a smart assistant). Bumble has already been testing and rolling out tools such as profile guidance and photo feedback, which aim to help people present themselves clearly and authentically. It has also tested a “Suggest a Date” feature to help move from chatting to meeting in real life.

Why it matters

Swiping is one of the main habits modern dating apps taught people, like flipping quickly through a deck of cards. If Bumble succeeds with a different approach, other apps may copy it. For users, the change could mean fewer split-second choices and more prompts that encourage clearer intentions, safer interactions, and actual plans to meet.

Source: NYTimes