Bumble has announced the relaunch of its Bumble For Friends app as friendship apps continue to gain popularity. With younger generations actively seeking to expand their social circles, the revamped app is designed to help users connect with new friends beyond its traditional one-on-one matching.
The new app is built on Geneva, the community-focused social platform that Bumble acquired last year. As a result of this integration, the Geneva app will be shutting down. This move was anticipated, as Bumble had previously informed investors that Geneva had not generated any revenue as of June 30. Existing Geneva members will be automatically upgraded to Bumble BFF without losing any of their groups or messages.
Bumble BFF will continue to offer its core features of one-on-one matching and private direct messaging, allowing users to swipe through profiles and chat individually. However, the new focus is on the introduction of a Groups tab. This addition enables users to engage in chat rooms, plan hangouts with new friends, and utilize an in-app calendar to create and track upcoming events. It is designed for communities of all sizes, from small groups to thousands of members.
The Groups tab is now live, allowing users to create or join groups immediately. The discovery function for finding new groups, however, will not be available until February 2026.
This update arrives during a surge in apps designed for finding genuine friendships, such as Clockout, Clyx, Les Amis, Timeleft, and 222. While Bumble BFF has been established in the market longer than many of these emerging apps, this relaunch is focused on maintaining its competitive edge.
The shift also reflects a change in user behavior. The company reports that young adults are actively seeking to expand their social networks, with 47% expressing a desire for more friends to engage in activities with. A similar percentage is eager for an online platform that allows them to build a community within their local areas.
A heightened focus on the social aspect of its business has been part of Bumble’s plan for some time. This strategy was previously discussed during its fourth quarter 2023 earnings call.
Additionally, the revamped app launches as Bumble faces financial difficulties. In the second quarter, the company experienced a 7.6% decrease in revenue year-over-year, falling from $268.6 million to $248.2 million.