Making male friends off apps can be complicated like Im actually only looking for regular friendship nothing else with dudes who like similar activities (hike, bike, outdoors, play guitar, sports, happy hour).

I've used Bumble For Friends since 2020 and have met 10 to 15 dudes for regular platonic friendship but 12.5 wanted more (sex, dating). So only 2.5 were looking for regular platonic male friendship ... the half one was with a guy who was bi and he never crossed the line until he did (year & half later) and that was that.

Luckily last year I found a new good normal (normal like growing up when you just made regular non-sexual friendships) dude friend and travel buddy and he has connected me to other dudes who just want normal regular dude friendships. All good if you aren't straight but unfortunately our male minds the majority think apps are to connect people for more then friendship. Which is a bummer!

With that in mind others have said use friendster for a way for people to come together in real life. Don't do AI stuff unless your using it to verify people. People indeed want real/genuine and the best way to do that is create local groups for people to meet to create friendships organically. Its a normal way to make friends for all sexes as we do and have done via work and while in/thru school. What im and everyone else is describing sounds like meetup.com but one that is free and for a younger generation.

They should have just named it something else and I think that would have made a difference in audience. The name "Bumble" is synonymous with dating, and calling it "Bumble For Friends" is like saying "friends and maybe more" on a psychological level.

There's a looming question you haven't answered: Are you OK with having a platonic friend that happens to be interested in you sexually? You haven't answered this question, but you seem to have strongly implied the answer, "no".

If that's the case, then maybe this is a good opportunity to reconsider. I for one have had many great platonic relationships with women that I am interested in sexually. Interest is not pursuit. If I had avoided every platonic relationship that could feel like a failed sexual pursuit, I would have missed out on a lot of great friends.