In a Nutshell
pros
- Meet local singles only
- You can be picky with filters by profession
- Super easy signup
cons
- Can’t chat with another user without mutual liking
- Less matches outside of cities
Signup Process
The signup process for Happn is similar to Tinder in the way it uses Facebook to create your dating profile. It’s similarly simple and quick to get started. The advantage of using Facebook is that the integration helps build a strong user base of authentic profiles. Since Facebook information is required, ie. profile, first name, and age, fake profiles are easier to spot. Nothing related to the dating app will ever appear on your Facebook profile or feed.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll have a few basic photos from Facebook and you can fill out your profession, education and a short bio (500 characters). You’ll also get the option to connect to your Instagram (max 30 photos) and Spotify accounts and add songs to your profile—music is a great way to bring people together, after all. Then all you do is select the gender/s you want to date and the age range.
Matchmaking & Search Functions
Happn uses GPS to track members and presents a list of users who you’ve crossed paths with and how many times this serendipitous occurrence has taken place. It will also give you a map of where it happened, and their photo, age and profession. If you think you’ve walked past prince/princess charming go ahead and hit ‘like’ on their profile using the heart, but if you rather not go on a date with your local barista hit the X and he/she will never know. If you both ‘heart’ each other Happn will issue a crush notification and you can get chatting using the messaging feature.
Happn has no option to search for users manually. Matching will only occur when users have crossed paths. You can however use your preferences to filter potential suitors and also decide if you don’t want a specific user to appear on your radar ever again. If you’ve liked someone on the app, but don’t get notified of a crush, you’ll continue seeing their ‘liked’ profile appear can assume that they saw you and weren’t interested (or feel a stab-like wound to the heart).
Features & Communication Tools
Happn has a bunch of tools and features to help enhance your experience. If you’ve got your eye on someone you keep crossing paths with and you’d like to woo them, you can purchase a ‘charm.’ A ‘charm’ will appear on your love interests notifications and they can decide to either ignore or reciprocate. Another way to get your profile noticed is to purchase a ‘say hi’ which does just that—your potential love interest can choose whether to respond or ignore.
The ‘See You There’ feature is one of the newer features to be rolled out. It lets users say whether they are free in the next few hours. To use the feature, members can click on the [+] button on the bottom of the home screen and add which activities they are free to do. There are 6 options to choose from which range from ‘go for a walk’ to ‘go for a drink’ or ‘catch a movie’—you get the picture. This feature encourages real-life encounters so your potential suitor doesn’t just sit idle behind a virtual screen.
Another new perk to be introduced is a feature that lets members send voice messages. This is another bid to kick-off real-life communication via the app. For those brave enough to use this feature, you’ll be able to send 1-minute voice message to those you’ve matched with. This can also help put a voice to a photo and forge real relationships.
Safety & Security
There are those who see Happn as a ‘stalker’ app since its location-dependent. However, Happn guides you to people within a 800 feet radius but never reveals your exact location. It will also never track the movements or itinerary of its members. This is an important safety feature as it means no creeps will really know where you are at any exact moment.
Happn recommends its members who wish to arrange real-life meetups be vigilant and guarded. Similar to all free dating apps, where you are arranging a meet up with a stranger, never reveal too much information via messaging, always arrange your date in a public, in a busy location and inform a friend or relative of your plans. Happn lists a long contractual terms and conditions page which sets out what you can and can’t do on the app.
Pricing
Help & Support
Happn has an easy to use help center with a search option and simple icons. Although the app is fairly simple to use, the help center can take you through the first steps with possible FAQ’s that you’ll likely want answered as you go through the process. For additional questions, you can easily contact customer service via your Facebook profile.
Connect on Happn
Happn is a refreshing alternative to Tinder and other swiping apps. It gives you the same fun user interface but with a more intimate feeling as you’ve likely seen or passed by members on your daily grind. Using the app might definitely come with a fair share of awkward neighbor encounters, but it’s still a great way to meet people in your immediate vicinity.
