Survey: Here’s Where People Swipe Most

Dating apps have officially left the couch and are on the move. From office desks to airplane seats (and yes, even the bathroom), Gen Z and Millennials are swiping wherever they can find a moment of privacy—or not.

To find out where people are really using dating apps, Hily surveyed 1,700 Gen Z and Millennial Americans. The results reveal when, where, and how dating apps sneak into daily life and what modern daters consider a dealbreaker.

At-Home Habits — Privacy Optional

1 in 4 Gen Z and 1 in 5 Millennial American daters use dating apps on the toilet

As it turns out, home isn’t just a private sanctuary, it’s also a multitasking zone. 1 in 4 Gen Z and 1 in 5 Millennial American daters admit they use dating apps while sitting on the toilet. While it might sound like too much information for some, it’s proof that modern dating fits into even the most unfiltered parts of daily life.

86% of Gen Z and 33% of Millennial American daters wouldn’t be turned-off by someone who uses a dating app while sitting on the toilet

But apparently, most people aren’t phased by a little multitasking. 86% of Gen Z and 33% of Millennials say they wouldn’t be turned off by someone who swipes from the bathroom. The verdict? Romance may start in unexpected places, but judgment isn’t part of the equation. Who knows, maybe it was their first moment of solitude that day?

Out and About — Swiping on the Go

Outside of home, the workplace is the most popular place to use dating apps among both Gen Z (74%) and Millennials (92%)

The workplace tops the list for public swiping. 74% of Gen Z and a striking 92% of Millennial daters admit to using dating apps while at work. Whether it’s during lunch breaks or your post-meeting scrolls, dating has officially become part of the modern workday routine (just don’t let your boss find out).

67% of Gen Z and 61% of Millennial American daters are likely to use dating apps while traveling or on vacation

Dating doesn’t take a holiday, it books one. Over half (67%) of Gen Z and (61%) Millennial daters say they’re more likely to use dating apps while traveling or on vacation. A new location can make swiping feel like an adventure, proving that love (or flirtation) really can be global.

58% of Gen Z and 46% of Millennial American daters worry about others seeing their screen when they use dating apps in public

Still, not everyone’s comfortable being caught in the act. 58% of Gen Z and 46% of Millennials say they worry about others seeing their screen when they use dating apps in public. Even in a world of open-book dating, a little privacy is still important when it goes down in the DMs.

Swiping Etiquette — What Crosses the Line?

14% of Gen Z and 18% Millennial American daters have checked a message from a dating app match while they’re on a date with someone else

Some lines are blurrier than others. 14% of Gen Z and 18% of Millennials admit they’ve checked a dating app message while on a date with someone else. Digital temptation is real—but it can make in-person chemistry feel less meaningful when attention splits between your date and your screens.

Roughly 60% of Gen Z and Millennial American daters would leave if they noticed their match using a dating app during a date

Boundaries are so back, though. About 60% of Gen Z and Millennial daters say they’d walk out if their date started swiping mid-date. Respect is the new romance, because no one wants (or deserves) to compete with a notification.

Conclusions

Modern dating is officially mobile (literally). Gen Z and Millennials are swiping from the bathroom, the boardroom, and beyond. But while dating apps fit seamlessly into daily life, one thing hasn’t changed: people still value presence, attention, and respect from a potential partner.

Dating may be digital, but the desire for real connection is still timeless. Whether at work, on vacation, or waiting for a flight, the perfect match might be one swipe away… just maybe not from the toilet.

The methodology

Hily’s research team surveyed 1,700 Millennial and Gen Z Americans to explore where they use dating apps and whether daters are okay with their potential matches’ swiping cribs.

About Hily

Hily (pronounced like ‘highly’) is a dating app designed to connect singles with new people while supporting them in remaining authentic. Short for “Hey, I Like You,” it invites users to have fun and not look for a perfect match.

By encouraging everyone to date as they are, Hily is breaking one of the biggest curses of online dating—feeling pressured to hide your true self. Praising self-exploration, self-acceptance, open-mindedness, and inclusivity, the app helps people put real connections first and keep competition at bay by unlocking their unique, fabulous selves. With features like icebreakers, compatibility checks, messaging, Major Crush, and zodiac synastry, Hily helps users express who they really are and connect in genuine ways.

Launched in 2017, Hily has become one of the top 10 dating apps in US app stores, with over 39 million users worldwide.