Are read receipts finally coming to Bumble? If you google for answers or scan forums in 2025, you’ll find this question everywhere. Online daters are increasingly familiar with the feature—those little checkmarks or “seen” labels that tell you if your message was read or ignored. So, what’s the real story for Bumble users this year?
What Are Read Receipts, and Why Do People Want Them?
Read receipts are a messaging feature found in platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and even some dating apps. They indicate if the recipient opened a message (through blue ticks, “seen” stamps, or similar cues). Why does this matter on dating apps?
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Certainty: Know if your message was viewed or just ignored.
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Closure: Avoid ambiguity (did they ghost you, or are they just busy?).
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Pressure: Sometimes, users feel forced to reply immediately once their read status is visible.
Does Bumble Have Read Receipts in 2025?
No, Bumble does NOT have read receipts as of July 2025—and there are no confirmed plans to introduce them. This is true for all modes (Date, BFF, Bizz), and applies to free users, Boost, and even paying Premium subscribers.
Key Takeaways:
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There is no checkmark, “seen” label, timestamp, or notification to indicate message reads in Bumble chat.
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You cannot enable read receipts via settings, nor is there a hidden toggle or upgrade path.
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This applies to all messages: text, images, audio, or video.
Where Do the Read Receipt Rumors Come From?
Several misleading articles or forum discussions claim:
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Bumble lets you “see” message reads via blue ticks or the “Last Seen”/“Beeline” feature.
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A Bumble Premium subscription unlocks read receipts.
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You can turn on read receipts in app settings.
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Third-party tools or browser hacks reveal read status.
All these claims are false or misunderstandings:
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The “Last Seen” feature only suggests when a user was last active—not if your message was viewed.
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The “Beeline” shows who liked you, but not if they read your message.
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No paid tier—Premium, Boost, or otherwise—unlocks read receipts on Bumble.
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“Blue checkmarks” or similar icons do not appear in Bumble chats.
Some confusion may stem from security research revealing hidden API features that theoretically track message status. However, these are not user-facing, are patched by the company, and accessing them is both technically complex and a violation of Bumble’s terms.
Why Hasn’t Bumble Added Read Receipts?
Bumble’s policy is intentional and part of their brand philosophy:
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Protecting user privacy: Users should feel free to read messages and reply when ready without system pressure or confrontation.
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Reducing social anxiety: No “Why did you leave me on read?” drama.
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Encouraging authentic conversations: Without the pressure of receipts, users are more likely to interact naturally.
This approach is widely supported by privacy advocates and is a major reason many users prefer Bumble over other apps.
Can You Tell If Someone Read Your Message on Bumble?
There is no surefire way to know if someone read your message. However, a few indirect signs might provide clues:
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Typing Indicator: If you see three dots (“…”) in a chat, it means your match is composing a reply. This strongly suggests they’ve seen your message, but it’s not confirmation they’ve read it word-for-word.
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Profile Activity: Changes to bio/photos or recent activity hint the person is online, but do not confirm your message was viewed.
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Actual Reply: The only way to know for certain is through the person replying to your message.
Remember: these are only clues, not features!
How Does Bumble Compare to Other Dating Apps in 2025?
App | Read Receipts? | Premium Option? | Notes |
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Bumble | No | No | Strict privacy, no receipts in any mode |
Tinder | Yes | Yes (“Read Packs”) | Paid extra, not default |
OkCupid | Yes | Yes | Premium/paid feature |
eHarmony | Yes | No | Included for all users |
Hinge | No | N/A | Privacy-first, similar to Bumble |
Bumble is among the most privacy-conscious apps—most rivals either include receipts as a paid feature or by default for everyone.
Why Rumors of “Read Receipts Coming Soon”?
Rumors about read receipts coming to Bumble surface every year. They are often triggered by:
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User requests: Some want explicit status for closure or to reduce ambiguity.
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Competitor news: Tinder or OkCupid promoting paid read receipts creates buzz.
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Viral posts: Social media/memes repeatedly claim “read receipts are coming this update!”—but the claims never pan out.
The Reality:
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No official statement or road map from Bumble signals a read receipts update is coming.
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Bumble support and help documentation are explicit: “Bumble does not offer any sort of read receipt feature, either by default or as part of a premium upgrade”.
Best Practices: Messaging on Bumble Without Read Receipts
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Don’t panic over a lack of reply: Many users check dating apps infrequently.
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Craft engaging openers: Personalize your message for better response rates.
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Be patient: Wait at least 24–48 hours before following up (politely).
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Move on gracefully: If someone doesn’t reply, don’t dwell or double-message excessively.
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Switch to another platform: If both parties prefer, moving to a different messaging app (like WhatsApp) with read receipts is possible—if mutual comfort exists.
Digital Privacy and Read Receipts
Wonder why leading platforms skip read receipts?
For globally respected advice on why privacy-forward design (like Bumble’s) is good for users, learn from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). They are the world’s leading authority on online privacy best practices:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Bumble add read receipts in the future?
A: There’s currently no indication. The privacy-first approach is part of Bumble’s culture.
Q: Can Premium/Boost subscribers see message reads?
A: No. No paid tier enables read receipts.
Q: Are third-party tools or browser hacks reliable?
A: No—and using them risks your account and privacy.
Q: What does indicate activity?
A: Only the typing indicator, recent profile updates, or a reply—none confirm a specific message was read.
Read More: Why Are There No Read Receipts on Bumble? Company’s Official Reason and User Impact in 2025
Conclusion: Are Read Receipts Coming to Bumble Soon? Probably Not.
As of July 2025, there are still no read receipts on Bumble—and no evidence they’re coming soon. The lack of receipts, while sometimes frustrating for those wanting closure, is by design. It aligns with a powerful movement toward privacy, user agency, and respectful communication. For now, the best way to know if your Bumble match saw your message is still the oldest: wait for a reply.
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