Hily Dating App Opens 2017 Time Capsule for Its Birthday

Get nostalgic for the launch-year era that started it all

Las Vegas, August 18, 2026 – For its August Birthday, Hily is gifting today’s daters a 2017 Time Capsule. It’s an interactive online experience that takes them back to where it all began, with the trends, rituals and slightly chaotic internet energy that shaped dating in Hily’s launch year. Think fidget spinners. Avocado toast. “Shape of My Heart” and other hits. Photo filters with zero shame. And dating app conversations that may make you ask: “Wait … did we really text like this?” 

“Today we celebrate 2017—the year we matched our very first couple. Millions of matches, conversations, love stories, and, yes, broken hearts later, we still celebrate every ‘Hey, I found my person on Hily’ message we get. From the skinny jeans of yesterday to the baggy jeans of today, we passionately work to deliver on what we promise to daters: real connection, built on authenticity and openness,” says Julia Kolesnyk, Head of Brand and Communications at Hily.

Crack Hily’s 2017 Time Capsule open and experience 2017 to the fullest. Spin a fidget spinner to get a random 2017 dating fact. Find out how much things cost in avocado toasts—from a fancy dress to a house. 

Take a quick quiz to reveal just how 2017 you are. Vote on what to bring back from the era and what to leave behind for good. And, of course, try your hand at guessing whether a dating app chat is from 2017 or 2026. Results will reveal just how much of an online dating veteran you are. 

“Hily launched in 2017 with a small group of users and one belief: dating shouldn’t get more complicated as the app gets bigger. Hily has grown up alongside its users because we protected them from the complication of tons of features nobody asked for. The best experience is always about holding on to what’s human: being yourself, having fun and remembering there’s a real person on the other side of the screen,” says Alex Pasykov, Hily founder and CEO. 

Explore Hily’s 2017 Time Capsule and don’t forget to wish Hily a happy birthday. Date as you are!

About Hily

Hily (pronounced “high-ly”) is the app to date as you are. Short for “Hey, I Like You,” Hily helps daters embrace their true selves, make genuine connections and enjoy dating without the pressure of chasing a perfect image.

Features like Icks & Click compatibility check, Discover tab and Consent Guard give daters confidence to express who they are and connect with people who get them.

Since launching in 2017, Hily has grown into one of the top 5 dating apps in US app stores, with more than 43 million downloads worldwide.