Guide

How TruFriend works

TruFriend helps grown-ups in Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait City and Cairo make real friends: Tru gets to know you, introduces a few compatible people, and helps you turn an introduction into a plan to meet. Here’s how each part works, with example screens from the app.

Step 1

Join by invitation

TruFriend is open in Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait City and Cairo with founding members. You join with a personal invite link from a member, or from our list when a place opens. There’s no password: you sign in with a 6-digit code sent to your email.

  • For grown-ups 18 and over who live in Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait City or Cairo
  • Every member can invite up to 3 people they’d be happy to see in the community
  • Free for founding members
Step 2

Get to know Tru

Tru is our AI assistant. In a few minutes of private chat, Tru learns what you enjoy, when you’re usually free, which languages you speak and how far you’d travel. Prefer not to chat? Fill in a short form instead.

  • You review everything before it’s used, and choose what other members can see
  • Tru never asks about religion, background, health, politics or money
  • Your chat with Tru is deleted after 30 days, or sooner if you choose
The Tru screen explaining what Tru records before the chat starts, with buttons to allow Tru or use a short form instead
Example screen with made-up members
Step 3

Meet a few good fits

Instead of an endless feed, TruFriend introduces you to a few people who fit, and explains why. A person on our team checks each introduction before it’s sent.

  • Suggestions look at shared interests, free times, languages, age and travel time
  • Choose Connect or Not now: you’re only connected if you both say yes
  • Nobody is told if you pass
An example introduction card for Rahaf, 34, with her interests and three reasons you might get along, and Connect and Not now buttons
Example screen with made-up members
Step 4

Message when you both say yes

Once you’re connected, you can message each other in the app. You’ll get an email if you have new messages while you’re away, at most once an hour.

  • Keep chatting in TruFriend until you feel comfortable sharing your number
  • Report or block is always one tap away
An example conversation with Salem showing a confirmed coffee plan at the top and messages below
Example screen with made-up members
Step 5

Make a real plan

Either of you can suggest a plan: what to do, a busy public place, a day and a time. The other person accepts or lets you know it doesn’t work.

  • Add accepted plans to your calendar and open the place on a map
  • We email you both a reminder beforehand
  • Plans can be cancelled any time, and we let the other person know
The Suggest a plan form with a walk at Kite Beach, a day, a time and a short note
Example screen with made-up members
Step 6

Tell us how it went

After a plan, TruFriend asks you privately: did you meet, would you meet again, and did you feel safe and respected? The other person never sees your answers.

  • Your answers help Tru suggest better people for you
  • If you want to see someone again, we’ll remind you to plan the next one
  • If something didn’t feel right, our team is told and you can report the person
Step 7

Join circles

Circles are small, friendship-only groups around a shared interest, such as padel, food, books, walks or languages. Each week, a circle answers one quick question together.

  • Results appear once enough members have answered, so answers stay anonymous
  • Add a short note, and choose whether we may quote it with your first name
  • Tru uses your circles to suggest people and plans

See all circles

The Circles screen with this week’s padel question and its results, and the member’s circles below
Example screen with made-up members
Step 8

Your week and Tru Thursday

Your Home page shows what’s happening this week: upcoming plans, people you wanted to see again, a circle question and something worth reading. Every Thursday, Tru Thursday sums it up in one short email.

  • One email a week, never a stream of notifications
  • Switch it off in Account or with the link in any email
The Your week section with an upcoming coffee with Salem and an article worth reading
Example screen with made-up members
Step 9

Stay safe

Meet in busy public places, travel on your own and never send money. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, report or block them. Blocking is instant, and a real person reviews every report.

  • The other person is never told who reported them
  • In an emergency, call 999 in the UAE, 911 in Saudi Arabia, 112 in Kuwait or 122 in Egypt

Read our safety tips

The Report or block dialog for Salem, with Report and Block buttons
Example screen with made-up members

Where to find things in the app

HomeYour introductions, Your week and anything that needs an answer
MessagesChats with the people you’re connected with, and your plans
CirclesJoin circles and answer the weekly questions
ProfileYour friendship profile and photo, and what others can see
InvitesYour personal invite links
AccountYour basics, privacy choices, the weekly email, your data and account deletion

Still have a question? Read the FAQ or contact us.

Get an invite

TruFriend is open in Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait City and Cairo by invitation. Leave your email and we’ll send your invitation. Have an invite? Join now.

Bring TruFriend to your city

We open cities where enough people ask. We’ll email you once, on the day it opens.