Is Upward still a Christian dating app? Not in the way it used to be. In September 2026, Match Group relaunched Upward as “the home of modern courtship”. It now welcomes singles of any faith who want marriage and family.

Upward still names Christianity as part of its roots. But you no longer need to be a Christian to join. If you want to date someone who shares your faith, that change matters.

This guide explains what changed, what the new features mean, and where Christians can still date faith-first.

TL;DR

• Upward relaunched on 22 September 2026 as a marriage-focused app for all faiths.
• Members no longer need to identify as Christian.
• New features include Chivalry Mode, a Marriage Timeline and Core Values.
• The Social tab is being removed, so Upward is now dating only.
• If shared faith matters to you, a Christian-only app like SALT is the closer fit.

What changed at Upward in 2026?

Upward moved from Christian dating to marriage-focused dating for everyone. Match Group announced the relaunch on 22 September 2026.

Upward first launched in March 2020 under the name FTH, short for Faith. It was renamed Upward later that year and built around Christian dating. Six years on, its focus has shifted from shared faith to shared goals: marriage, family and commitment.

The main changes are:

• Open to all faiths. Members no longer need to identify as Christian.
• A new positioning. Upward now calls itself “the home of modern courtship”.
• New features. Chivalry Mode, a Marriage Timeline and Core Values badges.
• No more Social tab. The app is going back to dating only.
• A new look. The relaunch came with a new visual identity and ad campaign.

Match says Christian singles remain at the core of Upward. The difference is that faith is now one value among several, not the thing every member shares.

In short: Upward hasn’t shut Christians out. But it is no longer a Christian-only space.

Do you have to be Christian to use Upward now?

No. Since the relaunch, people of all faiths can join Upward. The common ground is wanting marriage, family and a committed relationship.

Match says users are now more focused on family and future goals than on religion itself. Most Upward users are under 35, and nearly all of them want children.

So you may still meet Christians on Upward. But you can’t assume that someone you match with shares your faith. You’ll need to ask, and you may need to filter more carefully.

In short: Upward is now for marriage-minded singles of any faith, not just Christians.

What is Upward’s Chivalry Mode?

Chivalry Mode is an opt-in feature that encourages the man to send the first message. The other person then has 72 hours to reply.

Upward also added two other features with the relaunch:

• Marriage Timeline shows how soon someone hopes to marry.
• Core Values lets members highlight priorities such as family, integrity and community.

Chivalry Mode has had plenty of media attention. Some people love the clarity it gives. Others feel it leans too far into fixed gender roles. Christians hold a range of views here too.

Whatever you think of it, it’s an optional setting. It tells you how Upward wants people to date, not who you’ll meet there.

In short: Chivalry Mode is optional and about who messages first. It doesn’t tell you anything about a match’s faith.

Want to explore the bigger question? Read First Move: Should Guys Make the First Move? and Gender Roles in Christian Dating.

Does it matter if a dating app is Christian-only?

For many Christians, yes. Wanting marriage and sharing a faith are not the same thing.

A values-first app brings together people who want similar outcomes. A faith-first app brings together people who follow Jesus. That changes the conversations you have from the start.

On a Christian-only app, you don’t have to work out whether faith is a dealbreaker on every profile. You can talk about church, prayer and what keeping God at the centre looks like for you. And you can do it without feeling awkward about bringing it up.

That doesn’t make other apps wrong. It just means the right app depends on what you’re looking for.

In short: If shared faith is your starting point, a Christian-only app saves time and makes faith part of the conversation from day one.

What is the best Christian alternative to Upward?

If you want a dating app where everyone shares your faith, SALT is built for that. It’s the largest independent Christian dating app in the world, made by Christians for every single Christian.

Here’s what SALT offers:

• Christian-only. Every member signs up to the SALT Values when they join.
• Global. Over a million members across more than 60 countries, in 20 languages.
• Free to meet, match and chat. SALT Premium is optional.
• Safety first. Selfie verification for every member and human moderators who review profiles.
• More than dating. SALT Social, our community feed, and Table, our live audio events, help you build friendships as well as find a date.

SALT welcomes Christians from every denomination, whether you’re Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal or non-denominational.

In short: SALT is a faith-first alternative to Upward, with community features alongside dating.

Comparing the two? Read SALT is the Christian alternative to Upward for a side-by-side look.

FAQs

Is Upward still a Christian dating app?

Not exclusively. Upward relaunched in September 2026 as a marriage-focused app for all faiths. It still names Christianity as part of its roots.

When did Upward change?

Match Group announced the relaunch on 22 September 2026.

Who owns Upward?

Upward is owned by Match Group, the company behind Tinder and Hinge.

Does Upward still have a Social tab?

No. The Social tab is being removed as part of the relaunch, so Upward is now dating only.

What is the Marriage Timeline on Upward?

It’s a profile feature that shows how soon someone hopes to get married.

Is SALT only for Christians?

Yes. SALT is a Christian dating app, and every member signs up to the SALT Values when they join.

Is SALT free?

Yes. You can download SALT, meet people, match and chat for free. SALT Premium is an optional upgrade.

Can I use SALT outside the US?

Yes. SALT is available in more than 50 countries and 20 languages.

Ready to date faith-first?

If you’re looking for a place where everyone shares your faith, SALT is free to download on iOS and Android. Create your profile, meet single Christians near you and around the world, and keep God at the centre as you date.