How to change gender preference on Bumble date

You can find a date on Bumble, but that’s not all! Bumble also gives you the option to search for potential partners. If you’re not in the mood for romance, you can also search for friends through the app.

In a few seconds, you can set your preferences and start searching for new people to add to your social circle. Here’s how to change your settings and get the most out of this app.

Who do you want to meet?

Bumble has three search modes, whereas typical dating apps only let you search for potential romantic partners. With Bumble, you can also search for people for networking opportunities, a suitable morning jog company, or someone you can grab a coffee with after work.

Regardless of your gender and why you use Bumble, you may change your mind at some point. If you decide that you are no longer looking for potential dates or business partners, you can easily switch to looking for friends.

There are three modes available: BumbleDate, BumbleBFF, and BumbleBizz. Here’s how you can change your preferences and have the app show you new interests.

1. Launch the Bumble app on your device.
2. Tap the Bumble app logo that appears on the scrolling screen.
3. Scroll through the modes to find the one you want and tap on it.

You have now selected a new mode and are ready to browse. Note that you can change the modes as many times as you want and use all three in the same profile. Bumble doesn’t give you a choice as your needs may change over time. However, all three modes require you to contact a match within one day of being matched. After that, the match is over.

Also, if you’re a woman looking for friends, remember that you can only connect with other women through BFF mode. The same goes for men. Currently, it is not possible to establish male-female friendships.

How to Send a Message to Your Match?

Sending a message to your match on Bumble can be slightly different depending on the mode. The rule of thumb that applies to all three says: You can only message someone if you’ve both swiped right and confirmed to create the match.

In Date Mode

When you pair with someone, the “Boom” screen appears on your device. If you have the First Move privilege, you can send a message to the other person. The other way is:

1. Tap the gray Bumble logo. It’s in the upper right corner of your screen.
2. Review your links to see your matches.
3. Tap the person you want to message and start typing an awesome icebreaker!

Note that if you haven’t received the First Move privilege, you cannot be the conversation starter.

In BFF Mode

While this mode is also time sensitive and you only have 24 hours to reply to a message or start a conversation, you are paired with a person of the same gender. So you can both send the first message.

In Bizz Mode

Bizz Mode gives you a little more freedom. Here you have a week to start talking to your partner or replying to their messages. However, you can only do this if you are privileged with the First Action option.

Find Your Perfect Match

Bumble has decided to do more for its users by enabling them to find new friendships or someone to work with. Switching between the three modes is a breeze, so you can easily adjust your preferences to suit your mood. When you match someone whose interests match yours, you’re ready to start a conversation and maybe even start a great relationship.

Are you using Bumble? Which is your favorite mod? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

Bumble expanded its gender options to be more inclusive of nonbinary users this month. But some users said the app's move, while meant to be more inclusive, left them feeling frustrated after they realized they can't message new matches first.

The dating app, which now lists “nonbinary” as a separate gender identity category, has long sought to subvert gender norms by allowing only women to make the first move. Before the update, users could select only the umbrella categories “man” or “woman,” both of which included the option “nonbinary.”

But some users said that they said tried to change their gender identities to “nonbinary woman,” which is still an option on Bumble, they still couldn’t message people who primarily use “she” and “her” pronouns unless they sent the first message.

“This feels validating and also like a hate crime,” a user named Kay, whose pronouns are “they” and “she,” captioned in a video posted to TikTok.

In an interview, Kay, 23, who wanted to be referred to using only their first name for privacy reasons, said that at first they were thrilled by Bumble's app change.

But Kay said that after they updated their gender identity to the new nonbinary option, they couldn’t message matches who identify as women. They recently matched with someone who uses “she” and “her” pronouns,” as well as someone who uses “she” and “they” pronouns. Kay said that when they tried to message either match, Bumble wouldn’t allow it. Instead, they received a message that reads “Women make the first move.”

“I applaud them for trying to be inclusive, but they’re just completely missing the point,” Kay continued. “I get that their whole shtick is women message first. But if that’s the case, don’t add the gender inclusive options if you’re going to make nonbinary people feel like they are being squished into a woman or man category.”

Bumble didn’t respond to NBC News’ repeated request for comment.

But on Friday, the app announced that nonbinary users will be able to message other users regardless of gender on the dating platform, and that users of all genders will be able to match with each other on the friend finding app Bumble BFF. The news was first reported by Mashable on Thursday.

“We were founded with the intention of empowering women, and we want to create an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves,” Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd said in a statement. “As part of that mission, it’s important that we continue to update our platform to help create an inclusive community where everyone can feel comfortable.”

Kay did not respond to request for follow-up comment after the news was announced.

Bumble was hailed as a “feminist” dating app when it launched — Wolfe, founded the app when she left Tinder, which she also co-founded.

The app was created to “challenge the antiquated rules of dating,” according to the company’s site. When men and women matched on the app, only women could send the first message. The app has since expanded to include LGBTQ users, but it is still criticized for reinforcing heteronormative dating practices instead of subverting them.

Not everyone has to wait for matches to make the first move, Bumble’s website says.

The app’s new feature allows users, both new and old, to select the umbrella categories “man,” “woman” or “nonbinary.” After they select a category, they can further specify their gender identities with options like “cis woman” or “transmasculine.” The “nonbinary” umbrella includes options like “agender,” “genderfluid” and “gender nonconforming.”

When users of the same gender match, such as two women or two nonbinary users, either party can message the other first. Men and nonbinary users can also message each other first. When the new gender options initially launched, nonbinary users were unable to message women first.

Others echoed Kay's frustration with the new feature on social media.

"Being nonbinary is all fun and games until you can’t message cute women first on Bumble," Twitter user skyaking_ wrote.

Comedian and podcaster Gerrie Lim described the feature as the "most white feminist thing" they've ever seen.

Kay said they feel the feature that allows only women to make the first move is “outdated and just for the bit at this point.”

Bumble could have been more inclusive, Kay said, while maintaining its original ethos by allowing users who aren’t cis men to message one another.

"I get the intent that it's somehow 'safer' for women," Kay said. "But women still get abused from Bumble matches, and Bumble has refused to acknowledge it or remove the accounts of male abusers."

"Literally all they needed to do was say non-men message first," Kay added. "Dating isn't just between men and women."

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