SMS verification

If you've created your Grindr account with email and password, we'll require you to verify your account via SMS. Accounts created via third-party login (ex, Apple ID, Google login) do not require SMS verification.

In this article you will find the following: 

• Verifying with SMS 
• SMS not received
• "Phone number used too many times" error message
• Code scam warnings
• Related articles

Verifying with SMS

If you are an existing user who created your account via email and password and have not yet SMS verified, we may eventually prompt you to do so. We do not currently have a way for you to proactively SMS verify before we ask you to do so. To verify your account, simply follow the SMS verification prompts on your screen.

SMS verification is an important anti-spam measure, and we use user phone numbers for this verification purpose only. There is no need to enter your country code as it should already be filled out. If you live in a region that has a specific area code, make sure that you enter it before typing in your phone number.

SMS not received 

We confirm your phone number by sending a code via SMS. This means that you must have a device that can receive SMS messages, like a mobile phone.  We cannot verify via landline, certain internet-based/voice-over IP phone services, or certain texting apps. If your number is not compatible with SMS, you will need to use another number.

If you aren't receiving a verification code or get the “Invalid phone number” error message

1. First, make sure you entered the correct country code, area code, and phone number.
   
2. We do retain a 24-hour window in order for you to receive an SMS verification from us. 
3. If you're still not receiving a code, it could be getting automatically blocked as potential spam by your mobile carrier. To prevent this, contact your mobile carrier to ensure that “Message Blocking” is disabled.
   
4. Sometimes there are brief connection issues with sending an SMS - if you don't receive a code or get an error message, it's worth trying again in a few minutes.  You'll also want to make sure that you have proper reception on your phone and can currently receive SMS messages to the number you are adding.
   
5. If none of these troubleshooting tips work, or if you are getting an “invalid phone number” error, it could be that your number is not compatible with our SMS system and you will need to use another number.
   
6. We are unable to work around our SMS process, and cannot manually verify a number for you. The only way to complete SMS verification is to use a valid number.

"Phone number used too many times" error message

• Please wait 24 hours and try again.
  
• You can only verify a maximum of 5 accounts to any phone number. If you have already used your number on 5 accounts, you will need to delete one of the accounts and wait for 24 hours in order to use the number on a new account.

Code scam warnings

If you get a code but didn't request one

It's likely someone got confused about their number or accidentally entered yours. Usually, this mistake is quickly discovered and you won’t get any more texts. If you do get repeated texts, we recommend blocking the number you're receiving the verification text messages from so that they stop coming through. (You’ll want to unblock later if you do decide to use Grindr). 

If someone asks you to send them your code

Do not ever share your SMS code with anyone else. If you get a message that says "I just sent you a code from Grindr, what is it?" this is a scam! They are trying to use your number to verify their account. If this happens, please report the account immediately from the app.