How to build a dating app for iOS
What a dating app needs
- Profiles with photos and prompts
- A discovery feed and a matching mechanic, like or pass
- Real-time chat between matches
- Block, report, and content moderation, which Apple requires for user content
- Location for nearby matches, with privacy controls
- Accounts and a backend that scales (Supabase)
This is a large build. Apple Guideline 1.2 requires a way to filter objectionable content, block and report users, and a moderation process. The MVP slice is profiles, a simple match feed, and chat with block and report working. Verification, advanced matching, and video come later.
Core screens and data
A dating app needs an onboarding and profile screen, a discovery feed, a matches list, chat, and safety controls. Here is how those screens map to the data each one stores.
| Screen | What it does | What it stores |
|---|---|---|
| Profile setup | Builds a profile with photos and prompts | Photos, bio, prompts, age, and match preferences |
| Discovery feed | Shows nearby people to like or pass | Candidate profiles and your like or pass actions |
| Matches | Lists mutual likes that opened a conversation | Match records linking two users with a timestamp |
| Chat | Real-time messaging between matched users | Messages with sender, timestamp, and read state |
| Block and report | Lets a user block or report anyone, as Apple requires | Block lists and report records for moderation |
| Location and filters | Sets distance and preference filters for the feed | Approximate location and filter settings, with privacy controls |
| Settings and paywall | Handles account, privacy, and subscriptions | Account (Supabase), privacy choices, subscription and boost status |
How to build it with AppFlight
Describe it, for example: "A dating app where users build a profile, swipe through nearby people, match when both like each other, chat, and can block or report anyone." AppFlight plans the screens, generates native SwiftUI, and runs it in a live simulator. Use the Supabase connector for accounts, profiles, matches, and chat. Make sure block, report, and a content filter are in place, since Apple reviews these closely. You iterate by asking for changes in plain language.
Starter prompt
This is the exact plain-English prompt you can paste into AppFlight to start a dating app. It names the profile, the feed, matches, chat, the safety controls Apple requires, Supabase, and a RevenueCat paywall, so the first build covers the core loop and the moderation basics.
Build a dating app for iPhone. Let users sign up, build a profile with photos and short prompts, and set an age range and distance preference. Show a discovery feed of nearby people where they swipe to like or pass, and create a match when two people like each other. Give matched users real-time chat, and put a clear block and report control on every profile and conversation, backed by a content filter, since Apple requires moderation for user content. Use Supabase for accounts, profiles, matches, and messages. Add a RevenueCat paywall for a subscription that unlocks seeing who liked you and unlimited likes, plus consumable boosts, all through in-app purchase since Stripe is not allowed for these.
Monetization for a dating app
Dating apps sell subscriptions, see who liked you, unlimited likes, and consumable boosts. These are digital services used inside the app, so Apple requires in-app purchase. You cannot use Stripe for them, because there is no real-world good or service. RevenueCat manages the subscriptions and boosts, and Superwall lets you test paywall designs without shipping an update.
Shipping it to the App Store
When it works in the simulator, AppFlight signs the build, uploads to TestFlight so you can test matching and chat on real devices, then submits to the App Store with metadata and screenshots. Because it has user content, Apple reviews moderation, block, and report features closely, so confirm they work before you submit. If Apple rejects the build, AppFlight reads the reason, fixes it, and resubmits. Apple reviews every app, so a submission is not the same as an approval.
FAQ
Can a dating app use Stripe for subscriptions?
No. Premium features and boosts are digital services used in the app, so Apple requires in-app purchase. Stripe is only for real-world goods and services.
What does Apple require for safety?
Guideline 1.2 requires content filtering, the ability to block and report users, and a moderation process. Build these before submitting; AppFlight can include block and report.
Is a dating app a big project?
Yes. Matching, real-time chat, moderation, and safety make it a large build. Start with profiles, a match feed, and chat, then expand.