An online dating application is an online dating service presented through a mobile phone application (app), often taking advantage of a smartphone's GPS location capabilities, always on-hand presence, easy access to digital photo galleries and mobile wallets to enhance the traditional nature of online dating. These apps aim to simplify and speed up the process of sifting through potential dating partners, chatting, flirting, and potentially meeting or becoming romantically involved over traditional online dating services.
The launch of the Tinder dating app in 2012 led to a growth of online dating applications, by both new providers and traditional online dating services that expanded into the mobile app market. Online dating apps are now mainstream in the U.S. As of 2017, online dating is the number one method by which new couples in the U.S. meet. The percentage of couples meeting online is predicted to increase to 70% by 2040.