Temptr
GPS-driven dating mobile app for iOS and Android
A social discovery app that combines dating & social features. Location-based matching, real-time chat, rich bios, and photo/video upload.
"I've been really impressed with not only Codevate's professionalism but also how hard working they are, it's great to see and gives me real confidence."
Building a complex software system where others had failed
Temptr set out to combine the most engaging aspects of Tinder, Twitter, and Instagram into one seamless mobile experience. The vision was a social discovery platform where users could swipe to match, post-updates, share photos, check in at locations, and chat instantly. By launching as native apps for both iOS and Android from day one, Temptr maximised its potential user base — a crucial factor for any platform where success depends on active, local engagement.
Where Tinder at the time offered limited, superficial profiles, Temptr aimed to build more personality and depth into user interactions. With richer profiles, improved UI design, and familiar swipe-based matching, the app promised a more authentic connection experience. Our iterative development approach allowed us to refine features based on real user feedback, evolving towards market fit without overengineering upfront.
Behind the scenes, we built a robust, scalable cloud architecture designed to handle viral growth from day one. This ensured that Temptr’s marketing push and anticipated press coverage wouldn’t be undermined by performance issues. Since launch, the platform has evolved to include innovative features like background location tracking to show users who they’ve crossed paths with, plus revenue-driving in-app purchases that boost visibility and matching potential.
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Services delivered
Technologies used
- Native Android
- Native iOS
- TypeScript - NodeJS
- Realtime web sockets
- MongoDB database
- AWS cloud infrastructure
- Facebook sign-in integration
- Google API integrations (maps, sign-in)
Highlights of the Temptr mobile app
Monetisation through in-app purchases
- Frictionless payment flow, integrated with native iOS and Android payment systems for quick, secure transactions
- Encourages repeat engagement - Tempts give users a reason to return to the app frequently
- Recurring revenue stream without limiting free users, increasing the number of profiles in the app - crucial for growing a userbase
Realtime chat
- Low-latency websocket-based messaging, delivering messages instantly
- Push notification integration, utilising native iOS and Android push services for immediate message alerts
- Image and video uploads, using media processing pipeline to compress images for optimal delivery
- Facebook API integration to allow users to select photos they already have, reducing friction
Social media profile with status updates
- Facebook sign-in integration, simplifies onboarding while securely importing user profile data
- Facebook location integration, allowing checking-in to places to share location-based updates with other users
- Background location tracking to enabled "crossed paths" feature where users can see when they have been in the same location at the same time as another user, increasing engagement
- Facebook profile linking allow fast bootstrapping of a profile, resulting in more and higher quality profiles
Behind-the-scenes and other top features
Not all heroes wear capes. These behind-the-scenes features don't have screenshots, but form an important part of the project.
Secure handling and storage of personal details
Sensitive user data is stored securely to protect end users.
Highly available AWS cloud infrastructure
Deployed on AWS with high availability to ensure fast performance and minimal downtime to support viral marketing campaigns.
Facebook sign-in integration
Integration of social login options to simplify onboarding and improve user experience across devices.
Analytics and statistics on user activity
Track and visualise real-time user engagement data to guide feature improvements and optimise platform growth.
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"I've been really impressed with not only Codevate's professionalism but also how hard working they are, it's great to see and gives me real confidence."
- 100% UK-based
- Complimentary scoping call
- At-a-glance feasibility analysis
- No obligation high-level proposal
- Work with an expert to evolve your idea
Project outline: developing the mobile app
The core idea for the mobile app was to bring together the best of Tinder, Twitter and Instagram into one neat, polished and simple package - swiping, statuses, checking-in, instant messaging and photo sharing were to be Temptr's core features. The social discovery app was to be developed for both iOS and Android as native mobile apps, ensuring near full market coverage - a critical aspect of such a platform, where the number of users in an area needs to be as high as possible in order for there to be content within the app.
Tinder profiles were extremely limited at the time, only featuring photos and a short bio, making it rather superficial and difficult to get a feel for potential matches' personalities. Temptr aimed to solve this problem by providing more well-rounded profiles. It was also felt that Tinder's user interface left much to be desired and could be improved upon.
A step-by-step approach
Our iterative approach to development allowed the project to be built up over a number of stages, dictated by feedback from early testers, to grow the product towards a market-fit, without the need to fully define every aspect of the project at the outset.
Temptr planned to see large numbers of users from day one, as a result of its marketing campaign and expected press coverage. We ensured that the back-end cloud architecture was designed to scale with demand at short notice, to avoid the risk crippling marketing momentum gained resulting in large burst of users.
Delivering the mobile app
Temptr launched on iOS and Android from day one, with a worldwide release. Keeping the familiar swiping to like and dislike, made popular by Tinder, Temptr made several improvements of the user interface, such as creating more room for full-sized photos.
Temptr has undergone continuous innovation since its initial release, further extending its feature-set and value. One of the most notable additions was adding background location tracking to support showing potential matches that users have crossed paths with in the real world. In app purchases were added to the app, opening a revenue stream, allowing users to purchase 'Tempts' - the ability to place your profile at the start of a selected user's queue, increasing the chances of matching.
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