If you've accidentally deleted your Facebook Dating account or changed your mind after taking a break, you're not alone. Many users find themselves wanting to return to the platform after deactivating or deleting their dating profile. Fortunately, restoring your Facebook Dating account is often possible, especially if the deletion was recent.
Whether you're looking to reconnect with matches, continue conversations, or just start fresh, here’s how you can easily restore or reactivate your Facebook Dating profile.
Understanding What Happens When You Delete Facebook Dating
First, it's important to understand the difference between deleting your Facebook Dating profile and deactivating your main Facebook account.
Deleting only your Dating profile removes your matches, messages, and preferences from the Dating section. Your main Facebook profile remains unaffected.
Deleting or deactivating your entire Facebook account will also remove access to Facebook Dating until your main profile is restored.
If you deleted your Dating profile intentionally, Facebook will wipe all dating-related data, and restoring it may not bring back your previous matches or messages. However, you can always create a new Dating profile from scratch.
Step 1: Reopen the Facebook App
Facebook Dating is only accessible through the mobile Facebook app. If you’ve deleted the app or haven’t used it in a while, reinstall it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Once installed, log in to your existing Facebook account.
Make sure you’re using the same account where the Dating profile was previously created. Facebook Dating is tied to your personal profile and doesn’t work across multiple accounts.
Step 2: Navigate to the Dating Section
Once inside the Facebook app:
Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner (Android) or bottom-right corner (iPhone).
Scroll down and tap on “Dating”. If you don’t see it, try using the search bar at the top of the menu and type “Dating.”
Tap on the Dating option to open the feature.
If your profile was recently deleted, Facebook may prompt you with an option to recreate or restore your profile. This option is more likely to appear if your profile was deleted within the past few days.
Step 3: Recreate Your Profile (If Needed)
If the system does not give you the option to restore your previous Dating profile, you can manually set up a new one.
Here’s how:
Tap Get Started
Choose your photos (either from your Facebook gallery or phone)
Fill in basic details like gender, preferences, age range, and location
Add a short bio and answer a few profile prompts to make your profile more engaging
It may take a few minutes to complete, but once done, your profile will be live and visible to other users in your area.
Step 4: Reconnect with Matches
If your previous profile and matches were permanently deleted, you may not be able to retrieve old conversations. However, by using similar preferences and profile details, the algorithm may still suggest similar matches, especially if both parties are still active.
To boost your chances:
Rejoin any groups or events you were part of (Facebook Dating can suggest people with shared interests)
Use the “Secret Crush” feature if you’re hoping to reconnect with someone specific
Additional Tip: Avoid Losing Your Profile Again
To prevent accidental deletion in the future, always double-check before confirming any delete or deactivate action. If you simply want to take a break, consider pausing your Dating profile instead. This option hides your profile from others while keeping your data and matches safe.
You can find the pause option in the Dating settings under the gear icon on your profile page.
Final Thoughts
Restoring a deleted Facebook Dating account isn’t complicated, especially if you act quickly. Whether you’re returning after a short break or starting over completely, Facebook Dating still offers a simple and free way to connect with new people.
If your old profile can’t be restored, don’t worry. A fresh start might be just what you need to find the connection you’ve been looking for.