Grindr aims to be an online space of community, safety, expression, and connection. Here are some safety tips, from us to you, when navigating this space:
- Protect your identity
- Secure your account
- Be aware of location features
- Be aware when traveling
- Don't rush into things
- Practice safer sex
- Utilize the block & report feature
- COVID-19 awareness
- Related articles
Protect your identity
Protecting your identity and personal information is a very important thing when it comes to anything online. Here are some things that we suggest you protect when enjoying our services:
- Do NOT post any personal information to your public profile (phone number, address, where you work)
- Only share information with users that you can trust.
- Do NOT provide any financial information to other users.
- Be aware of phishing and romance scams.
- SMS Verifications sent to you by Grindr are ONLY for you and should not be shared with anyone else.
- If you do not feel comfortable using a face picture for your profile, consider a photo that represents you differently (know that it is possible to do a search of the photo and find any other sites where you have posted it).
- Be cautious when connecting your social media accounts to your Grindr profile.
- Be aware of our In-App Privacy Features
Secure your account
It’s smart to protect your account by using a unique password on Grindr that is hard to guess, plus utilizing our PIN code feature. We also offer discreet app icons (DAI).
Please understand that people may save and/or share the private information you share in chat such as messages or photos.
If you are on an untrusted WiFi network, consider using a VPN to connect to Grindr, but you should check local laws before doing so.
Be aware of location features
From your settings page, you can choose if you want to “Show Distance” in other users’ grid views. By deselecting “show distance”, your distance from other people will not be displayed. However, your profile will be visible to other people in the grid, sorted by your distance from them, so an approximate distance may be inferred. Grindr only collects your information within a 100-meter radius of accuracy. Sometimes this could be very close to where you are and sometimes this could be nearly 100 meters off of your actual location.
If you do not wish to show your approximate distance, you can always go into your device’s settings and turn off location sharing altogether. In certain regions of the world, being a member of the LGBTQ community is illegal. In those areas, Grindr may automatically obscure user’s locations, or even have this feature turned off completely.
Be aware when traveling
If you travel to a new place, research the local laws. Unfortunately, in some countries where being LGBTQ+ is criminalized, law enforcement has been known to use social media apps as tools for potential entrapment. Some countries have laws that even criminalize communications between people on LGBTQ+ networks.
If you’re in an area that might be unsafe, use the highest level of caution and reference local human rights organizations for further assistance.
Note: You can read all about which countries/regions have banned Grindr here.
Don't rush into things
Try chatting via phone or video chat before meeting in person. Even when chatting online, be cautious about what you share. You may want to first verify through social media or with a friend (or friend-of-a-friend) that the person you’re talking to is truly part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Although Grindr works hard to ban scammers quickly, they do exist and you should be wary. Some “sextortion” scammers may record and use intimate messages or video content against you. Scammers may try to get you to move to email or video very quickly, as they know they will be blocked from Grindr soon. In general, we recommend keeping communication on Grindr until you’re completely comfortable.
Sharing your location or home address can be risky, do so only when you feel comfortable, and don't feel pressured if the other person has already sent you their location (as it may not be their actual location and they may be using it to bait you into providing your true location).
If you do choose to meet, we recommend you do so in public first, at a safe space like an LGBTQ+ friendly cafe, and be careful about what possessions you take with you. Know your limits with alcohol, don’t accept any strange drinks or drugs, and keep an eye on your own drinks.
Make sure a responsible person you trust knows who you’re meeting, where you’re going, and when you’re planning on coming back. Provide emergency contact information. Finally, make sure you’re in charge of your own transportation and have a plan to get home.
Practice safer sex
Don’t let anyone make you feel that your sexuality is abnormal. Don’t let anyone body-shame you or tell you what you like isn’t best for you. And don’t let anyone pressure you into having sex if you do not wish to do so. Likewise, be sure to ask for consent before sex, and be respectful of boundaries. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and sex is never owed to anyone.
Practice safer sex and get tested for HIV and other STIs regularly. Always have conversations with the people you meet about your safety expectations.
Read our Sexual Health Resource guide for more information.
Utilize the block & report feature
If someone is making you feel uncomfortable on the app, you may choose to block them by selecting the '
' icon on the user’s profile and tapping ‘Block.’ This will remove you from their view, as well as remove them from your view, and you will not be able to contact each other unless you choose to unblock them.
If you feel someone is violating our Community Guidelines, report them by selecting the ' ' icon on their profile and tapping ‘Report.’ Our moderation team will review the profile and your report and take appropriate action.
Even if you follow all of our tips, no harm reduction plan is perfect. If you would like to report an incident that happened off Grindr, let us know at help@grindr.com. You can also go to Human Rights or LGBTQ+ organizations for help, and if you feel comfortable, report to law enforcement.
We encourage you to connect and help us to build a safe and inclusive community.
COVID-19 awareness
In many areas of the world, it’s advised not to meet in person right now. We recommend you keep dates virtual to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19.
If you do meet someone in person: plan an outside activity, wear masks, and stay socially distanced.
For more tips related to COVID-19, visit the WHO website, or our Grindr + Covid page.