How Coffee Meets Bagel Works in 2025 (And Why It’s Not Like Tinder)
Swiping apps can burn you out. That’s where Coffee Meets Bagel comes in — with a slower, curated dating experience that’s still going strong in 2025.
If you’re asking, how does Coffee Meets Bagel work? — this guide breaks it down step-by-step so you know what to expect before diving in.
What Is Coffee Meets Bagel?
It’s a dating app built for people who are tired of endless swiping. You get a limited number of matches per day — called “bagels” — based on your preferences and behavior.
Unlike Tinder, you don’t swipe right on hundreds of profiles. You slow down and get real matches one day at a time.
Step 1: Create Your Profile
Download the app and create your profile using either your phone number or Facebook account.
You’ll be asked for:
- Photos (at least 3 recommended)
- Basic info: age, height, education, religion, etc.
- Prompts like “I’m looking for…” or “A fun fact about me”
The more complete your profile, the better your matches.
Step 2: Set Your Preferences
CMB lets you set filters like:
- Age range
- Distance
- Ethnicity
- Religion
- Height
You can also select dealbreakers — the app won’t show you users outside those lines.
Step 3: Get Your Daily “Bagels”
Every day at noon, CMB sends you a batch of curated matches.
They’re chosen based on mutual interest, your preferences, and your activity. You’ll usually get 3 to 6 matches per day.
These expire in 24 hours if you don’t respond — so it’s low volume, but high intent.
Mid-Article Boost: Tired of Swipe Culture?
Step 4: Like or Pass
- Like: If they like you back, the chat opens.
- Pass: That match disappears forever.
No swiping left/right. Just a single, focused choice.
Step 5: Start a Chat
If both of you like each other, you’ll unlock a private chat. You have 7 days to message before the chat expires. This keeps things moving forward.
What Makes CMB Different?
- No endless swiping — just 1 batch per day
- More in-depth profiles — people write more
- Focus on quality — fewer matches, more effort
This app is for people who want something intentional, not just attention.
Does Coffee Meets Bagel Cost Money?
- See who liked you
- Get more daily bagels
- Read receipts
- Boost your profile
Tips to Get Better Matches on CMB
- Use clear, friendly, recent photos
- Answer prompts with personality
- Be active — reply to chats daily
- Don’t ghost — just unmatch if needed
Common Complaints (And Truth Bombs)
- "Not enough matches." Yep, that’s the point. Fewer matches = less burnout.
- "It’s slow." Intentional dating usually is.
- "I forgot to check my bagels." Turn on notifications. CMB only works if you show up daily.
Is CMB Good for Serious Dating?
So how does Coffee Meets Bagel work?