Smartphone applications are constantly getting updates, to keep the user experience as fresh as possible. One of the biggest app niches revolves around dating. Online dating has been around since the dawn of the internet, and thanks to trendy smartphone apps, they're more plentiful than ever. Tinder is the go-to choice for most people. Hinge markets itself as an app that's 'designed to be deleted.' Bumble lets women make the first move.
And then there's Raya. The app launched in March 2015 exclusively for the iPhone — and has remained that way ever since. And unlike other dating apps, the Raya app can only be used by people with approved memberships. While Raya isn't anything new, it was brought to people's attention in April 2022 following reports of Ben Affleck trying to contact Selling Sunset's Emma Hernan on the app.
Raya is just like any other dating app. You can view people's profiles, like/dislike potential matches, video chat with others, and use a virtual map to see other Raya users in your area. You can also use it for professional networking or making friends. From that perspective, it's not much different from Tinder or Bumble.
But some features make Raya starkly different from other dating apps. While anyone with an iPhone can download the Raya app, using it requires a membership. After downloading the app, users need to tap 'Apply for membership,' confirm their phone number, enter their basic personal info, and then submit their application to Raya for review. Anyone's also welcome to apply, though the acceptance rate is reported as low as 8 percent. On the off chance that you get into the Raya app, you need to pay a minimum of $9.99/month to use it.
The best way to think of the Raya app is like Tinder for celebrities. It's not exclusively for Hollywood A-listers, but it's also not something the Average Joe can use. If you're some kind of celebrity/influencer, the Raya app could be worth checking out. But for everyone else, it's just something you'll have to keep reading about from the sidelines.