Dating apps are well-known, but there’s also a great selection of apps that can help boost your social life with new friendships. Whether you're looking for new people to chat with online or some friends to meet up for coffee in real life, making connections can be as easy as hitting the download button and setting up a profile with these apps.
1. Meetup
When it comes to meeting like-minded people both online and in person, Meetup is the go-to resource for plenty of folks.
When you first get started with the app, you'll choose from a huge selection of categories that interest you. Arts, dancing, health & wellbeing, games, hobbies, music, sports & outdoors, travel, and more are all available. Next, you'll see the list of available events. You can grab drinks, attend networking events, discuss philosophy, join a bike ride, or participate in just about anything else you can imagine.
Whatever you're into, there's probably a Meetup for it. And you're always welcome to start a new Meetup group to find friends with similar interests.
Download: Meetup for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Wink
Make new friends from the world over with the Wink app. After entering your birthday, first name, country, and profile pic, you're ready to get started. Next, select the genders and age range of people you're looking to meet. Once everything is set up, you can scroll through photos of other users on the first tab and start interacting.
You can also connect the app to your Snapchat account. While you're at it, use Snapchat's shared stories feature to liven up your online social presence even more. The Friend Requests tab shows any pending requests, which disappear after 24 hours. Meanwhile, messages will appear in the Inbox.
You can update your bio under the final tab by adding information about your interests in music, movies, hobbies, and sports. There's also the option to add a voice intro for a more personalized touch. Getting verified can increase the number of friends you make on the app, and you can do this by taking a selfie that resembles your profile pic.
In addition, you can earn gemstones by checking in daily, maintaining a chat streak, or purchasing them outright. The gemstones can purchase different profile themes in the shop and determine the number of swipes you get per day.
As YouTuber Michael Reagan Vlogs demonstrates, it's easy to meet a lot of new people quickly with the Wink app.
Download: Wink for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. Hey! VINA
An app designed to help women find friends, Hey! VINA makes growing your social circle easier.
Start by answering a few questions about yourself, such as whether you identify as an introvert or extrovert, and whether you prefer coffee or wine. There's also a section where you note the communities you belong to, whether you're a cat owner, athlete, DIY fan (or all of the above). You do need to verify your profile with a selfie, too.
Once your profile is set up, you simply swipe right on photos of people who seem like potential buddies.
An inbox keeps a record of your conversations, and there's also a live chat function. Lastly, the Plans section makes it easy to invite one or more of your matches to join you for lunch, coffee, a Peloton ride, or just about any activity. Overall, the app provides a simple, no-pressure way to make new connections in your area.
Download: Hey! VINA for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Yubo
If you're into live-streaming, then the Yubo app is a fun choice. To get started on Yubo, set up a username and password and select your interests from a giant list. Once you're set up, the app has a Live feature for streaming, a Chat function, a Friends list, and a Swipe section (similar to Tinder).
The real-time interaction is what sets the app apart from similar services. You can also purchase a Boost to push your stream to the top of other users' live feeds.
As YouTuber Top 10 Buys demonstrates, live-streaming from the app is quick and easy. Simply go to the Live screen, tap the Plus button, and start your video.
There are separate communities for 13–18 year-olds and adults, so you'll interact with people in your age range, according to Yubo support. Note that the app's users tend to skew toward teens, so if you cut your teeth on AOL Instant Messenger, then a different app might be a better fit for you.
Download: Yubo for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Friended
The Friended app makes connecting with others super easy. Sign up, fill out a few icebreaker questions, and start chatting. Your replies are just between you and the person you message. You can also fill out a personality quiz and create posts in order to spruce up your profile.
The app is free to use, but an optional Premium subscription allows you to use unlimited messages, see who checked out your profile, and use one-on-one video chat.
Download: Friended for iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
6. LMK
Select an avatar, list a few interests, and you'll soon start getting suggestions about whom to follow. On the Home tab, you have the options to chat or voice call with other users. Audio rooms are another option, where you can discuss everything from investing tips to music. Click the Mic icon to start chatting.
The Swipe tab, meanwhile, lets you select some new friends, while the Feed shows what your friends have posted recently. Lastly, the Chat tab shows your conversations with others on the app. Overall, the LMK app is a straightforward and simple way to connect with people who share your interests.
Download: LMK for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
Boost Your Social Life Online and IRL With Apps
Connecting with others is a fantastic way to boost your mood, and these apps can help facilitate your social life in no time. Apps and virtual meetup tools like Gather and Zoom have become a part of everyday life, after all. Whether you're looking for more online conversations or real-life buddies, these apps are excellent options.