Why Does Bumble Show Location But Not Distance

by J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young Updated On Oct 11, 2023 Published On May 27, 2022 Tips

Bumble is the second most popular dating app after Tinder. It shows matches according to the distance and age criteria set up by the user.

However, in some cases, the Bumble app will not show distance under a profile. How do you fix this? What are the benefits of knowing how far away a potential match is from your location?

Well, knowing the distance can be helpful for users who want to meet someone close to their area.

In this post, we will tell you the reasons why Bumble shows location but not distance and how you can fix the problem.

Bumble shows location but not distance

How Bumble Shows Distance Of Other Users

When a user logs into his Bumble account and starts using it, the app uses geolocation to show the distance of other users in their radius.

Geolocation is a feature used in smartphones or other devices with GPS to pinpoint a user's location, which is rendered on a map. Bumble app uses the point on the map to highlight an area.

After the user selects the distance area to cover, Bumble will find all the potential matches within that radius and only show the distance of others when they are close enough to you to match the distance range you set.

How Bumble Shows Distance Of Other Users

Why Bumble Shows Location But Not Distance Of Other Users

When you're swiping on Bumble and you come across a profile without a displayed distance, there are a few possible reasons:

Snooze mode:

If someone's profile is in snooze mode, Bumble won't show their distance. Snooze mode is used when users want a break from the app, often because they're getting too many matches or not finding the right one.

Women tend to use this feature more, especially if they have a lot of matches. Snooze mode temporarily hides the profile, but you'll see the distance again when they're back.

Snooze Mode

Out of range:

If the user is outside your selected distance range, their distance won't be shown as well. For instance, if you've set a 30-mile range, profiles beyond that won't display a distance.

You may be wondering why you are seeing people from areas other than my own. Because Bumble does not want you to run out of people to swipe, it will bring out users that do not exactly meet your preferred criteria. Know more details by reading Bumble's FAQ.

Bumble Showing Distance Of Other Users

Inactive users:

Another reason could be that someone has not opened the app for a while and their profile may be hidden. As a result, you may find their profile shown a city but no miles specified.

This can happen when they're busy with work or travel. If they travel from one location to another without opening the app, their previous location might still be displayed. This can affect the accuracy of the distance shown.

The location permission is off:

Remember that the app's location settings play a role too. If a user selects 'only when using the app' for location permission, you'll only see their distance when they're actively using Bumble. If they've chosen 'always' or 'never,' without providing Bumble with access to location services, it will also affect how the distance is displayed.

Tech bugs:

Sometimes, technical glitches can be the culprit. If Bumble's servers are having a bad day or there's an issue with a user's device or internet connection, distance information might go MIA.

How to Fix Bumble Show Location But Not Distance

In case you have been troubled with this same problem, here's what you need to check!

Make Sure the Location Service Is Turned On:

If you have turned off location services on your device, Bumble won't be able to calculate and display their distance. It's like trying to play hide and seek with the app.

So when setting up Bumble, make sure to enable location service from your device:

For Android device:

  • Go to Settings > Location Services.
  • Select "Personal" from the drop-down menu.
  • Look for the "Location Services" symbol.
  • Toggle the switch from "off" to "on".

For iPhone device:

  • Go to Settings > Location Services.
  • Select "Bumble" from the drop-down menu.
  • Locate the "Location" option and choose "While Using the App" or "Always".

Turn Off Snooze Mode:

You will also need to make sure that the Snooze mode is turned off. Here are the steps:

  • Open the Bumble app.
  • Navigate to the Profile tab in the lower left corner.
  • Tap the gear-shaped Settings button in the upper right corner.
  • Select Snooze.
  • Choose Cancel Snooze mode.

When you disable snooze mode, your matches receive a notification that you have returned.

Why Bumble Distance Shows ~ Next To It

The "~" symbol next to a user's location indicates that their location is approximate. In other words, Bumble can't pinpoint their exact location, so it offers a general estimate instead.

Now, why might this happen? There are a couple of reasons. One possibility is that the user's GPS reception might be a bit wonky, making it hard to determine where they are precisely. Another reason could be that users value their privacy and want to keep their location private from everyone on the app.

But here's the big question: What does this mean for you as a Bumble user? Well, that depends on your perspective and what you're looking for. If you match with someone sporting that "~" symbol, their actual location could be anywhere within a certain radius.

On the bright side, this could be fantastic if you want to broaden your horizons and meet people from various parts of your city or town. It's like casting a wider net in the dating sea. 

On the flip side, it could also mean that you might end up swiping right on someone who is quite far away. And that might lead to disappointment if you were hoping for someone nearby.

So, whether you decide to swipe left or right on someone with a "~" symbol next to their location is entirely up to you and your dating preferences. It's all about what you're comfortable with and what you're hoping to find on your Bumble journey.

Wrap Up

Bumble is a great app for dating, but sometimes it does not show the distance of other users. The major reasons for not showing distances are that the user is on snooze mode, out of the selected range, or their profile is hidden due to inactivity.

So don't get discouraged if you match a profile that does not have a distance displayed. Just swipe and wait for the match. Then, you can ask them if they've taken a break from the app recently or if they're traveling.

Let us know in the comments below which dating app you use the most. Is it Tinder or Bumble? Have you encountered the distance not showing up on other users for any of the apps?

J. Robertson Macaulay D. Young

Mako is a technical writer with a passion for all things tech. Whether you're wondering about how to fix your iPhone or Android device or trying to get something to work in your settings, Mako is your go-to for professional help. He loves writing, testing solutions, and most of all, making sure his research is factually accurate.

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