Our journey

1. Sep 2026

   The idea

   FOB started to fill an important need: helping newcomers meet people like them and settle comfortably into their community.

2. Late Sep 2026

   joinfob.com goes live

   In 60+ languages.

3. Sep 29

   Tester sign-ups open

4. Oct 5

   First tester feedback shipped the same day

   Real country and city pickers, a name filter, and photo screening.

   From tester feedback

   See what changed7 changes

   New

   • Pick your home country from a list of 200 countries, with flags.
   • Pick your city from a real list for your country and province.
   • Hobbies on your profile, with "You both like…" on cards.

   Improved

   • Names now follow simple rules so profiles stay friendly.
   • Uploaded profile, group and event photos are checked automatically for harmful content.

   Fixed

   • Made-up places can no longer be entered as a location. From tester feedback
   • Offensive names are blocked. From tester feedback
5. Oct 6

   Password reset by email and live chat updates

   Plus gentle sound effects and fixes to the match screen.

   From tester feedback

   See what changed10 changes

   New

   • Reset your password by email from the login screen.
   • Gentle sound effects for likes, matches and messages, with an off switch in Settings.
   • The chats list updates live and unread chats stand out.
   • Our journey page and What's coming.

   Improved

   • The website is now friends-only; dating lives in the phone apps.
   • Photos you send keep their quality.
   • The language menu works properly on iPhone. From tester feedback

   Fixed

   • "It's a match!" could appear cut off on some phones. From tester feedback
   • A "Just a moment…" message could stay on screen. From tester feedback
   • Signing up after logging out could show the previous person's details.
6. Oct 6

   Android test version live on Google Play

7. Oct 7

   Closed testing begins

   Every bug report gets actioned.

   See what changed7 changes

   New

   • Testers go straight into the app, with no waiting screen.
   • Testers see a few demo profiles in their own city, clearly labelled, so there is always something to try.
   • A "What's new" note after each update.

   Improved

   • Login messages now appear in your language.
   • Android testers get clear join steps right after signing up.

   Fixed

   • Tapping a photo in a chat now opens it inside the app. From tester feedback
   • Tapping a new-message pop-up now opens the chat. From tester feedback
8. Oct 8

   Open for everyone

   No more waiting screen for anyone who signed up.

9. Oct 9

   FOB Forum launched

   Community Q&A: ask newcomer questions and get answers from people near you.

   See what changed28 changes

   New

   • FOB Forum (Community Q&A): ask questions and get answers from people near you or anywhere, with Global, Country and City filters, search and replies. Open it from the Forum button at the top.
   • Take a second look at people you passed on, once a day.
   • Undo your last swipe.
   • Choose who you'd like to meet with an age range and "Show me".
   • Pick a city or use your location when listing an event, and change it later.
   • An "update available" message when a new version of FOB is out.
   • Demo and test profiles are now clearly marked stick figures.

   Improved

   • The app is open to everyone who signed up, with no countdown wall.
   • The app shows as "FOB" on your home screen.
   • Faster opening: FOB starts instantly from your last visit, and your chats are loaded ahead of time.
   • Events without a saved location now show up for people nearby.
   • Calendar events are readable on small screens, with "+N" when a day is busy.
   • Website notifications show the sender's photo.
   • Forum notifications open the right place.
   • Photos in chats open full screen inside the app. From tester feedback
   • Login messages show in your language. From tester feedback
   • Clearer messages if turning on location doesn't work. From tester feedback

   Fixed

   • The match pop-up now shows properly on Android.
   • The stuck "Just a moment" bar is gone.
   • Tapping a message pop-up or notification now opens the chat. From tester feedback
   • The forum now follows your current location.
   • Fixed a gap in the bottom bar.
   • Chat pictures now match each person's profile photo.
   • Password reset by email works.

   Safety

   • Sign-up now asks for your full date of birth to confirm you're 18 or older.
   • Names and messages are checked for offensive language.
   • Photos are screened before other people see them.
   • Country and city are picked from real lists, so locations are genuine.
10. Oct 10

    Early access opens

    For everyone who signed up.

11. Oct 21

    Closed testing ends

12. We are hereOct 24

    Grand opening

    On the App Store and Google Play.

After launch