Whether you’ve just moved to a new city or are simply hoping to expand your social circle, making friends as an adult can be tricky. If you’re not keen on team sports or joining a book club, the options for finding new pals can seem limited. That’s where apps to make friends come in. Ditch the awkward introductions and enjoy the swipe-right approach to friendship as we clue you into the best apps to make friends and meet a new selection of people.

Bumble For Friends

The first app on our list is Bumble For Friends. Much like its dating counterpart, this platform allows you to swipe left or right to connect with potential pals. But unlike the dating version of the app, anyone can start the conversation, regardless of gender identity. Just make sure you within 24 hours to keep the match alive.

Meetup

If you’re looking for a friends app that will help you meet like-minded people, Meetup is the go-to. The app lets you browse for meetups based on shared interests and activities, helping you to forge connections in a group setting. You can even tailor your search by demographic to find people within your age group or create a meetup yourself if you’re feeling adventurous.

Nextdoor

Nextdoor, the most localised app on this list, connects you with people within your area. It simplifies connections, allowing you to interact with nearby users, share interests, ask for neighbourhood advice and stay updated on local events effortlessly.

Hey! VINA

Hey! VINA is specifically for people who identify as female or non-binary, offering a platform to create profiles and match with potential friends. On top of being able to privately message new connections, you can also initiate "plans" within the app to form meetup groups.

Skout

Skout is another app to make friends that utilises preferences and proximity, much like a dating app. The app lets you connect with new people and discover who’s interested in matching with you, whether you're a local or just visiting the area.

Peanut

A little more niche than the other apps on this list, Peanut is designed to connect mothers by emphasising community-building. The app allows you to seek parenting guidance and chat with nearby women of similar-age children. Peanut also caters to those navigating fertility and menopause, fostering connections across all life stages.

MeetMe

The last on our list of apps to meet people is MeetMe, which connects you with people nearby for one-on-one chats and friendshipbuilding. With a social media-like interface, you can post status updates or like and comment on others' posts.

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Beyond the convenience of friendship apps, the digital landscape is full of applications designed to improve nearly every facet of our lives. Discover the other ways you can enrich your day-to-day with our range of lifestyle blogs, covering everything from handy apps for Valentine’s Day to apps to help you sleep.