You may be prompted to complete a short activity to prove you are a human.

You may be prompted to complete a short activity to prove you are a human.

Use a clear shot of your face with a natural, fun smile. For best results, use the tips in How to Be Photogenic. Grindr does not permit nudity/pornography, visible outlines of genitals, or underwear shots in profile photos. [1] X Research source

Be concise when completing the About Me field of your profile. You have a limited number of characters, so avoid adding irrelevant information. Tap My Tribes to choose a word that describes your identity. If you want to link your social media accounts to your profile, scroll down and select Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, then follow the on-screen instructions to sign in.

The FILTERS menu (at the top-center part of the icon bar) lets you sort users by certain criteria, such as by age, who they are looking for, and whether they are online now. The star icon displays users you’ve added to your favorites. The mask icon returns you to the main home screen. The rocket icon lets you explore users in other areas. The speech bubble icon shows your messages. You can also tap the Taps tab at the top of this section to see who send you a “Tap,” which means they tapped the flame icon on your profile. This means the person is interested![2] X Research source The speech bubble displays your chats. When you have new messages, this icon will change to a number. The XTRA icon displays your options for upgrading to the ad-free version of Grindr. The paid version also includes read receipts, lets you choose unlimited blocks and favorites, and allows you to swipe through profiles. [3] X Research source

Tap your own profile photo. Tap the gear at the top-right corner of your profile. All account-related preferences (such as your password, the option to upgrade, and your associated email address) appear under the “ACCOUNT” header. Depending on your device, you may be able to adjust your notifications Sound and notification options appear under the “PREFERENCES” header. Specify who can find your profile and see where you’re located under the “SECURITY” header. Tap the back button to return to your profile, and then again to return to the main screen.

Tap the star at the top of the screen to add a user to your favorites. Tap the warning symbol (a circle with a line through it) to block this user from seeing or communicating with you.

You can choose someone who has similar values like you. [4] X Research source See if they have the qualities you are looking for. [5] X Research source Consider whether they enjoy the same activities that you like. [6] X Research source If you want to reply to a message someone sent you, tap the speech bubble icon at the bottom of the main screen (the 4th icon from the left) to open your inbox, then tap the message you wish to reply to.

If you want to show interest but aren’t ready to send a message, tap the flame icon at the bottom of the user’s profile to send a Tap. Taps mean you’re interested or think the person is attractive, and they’ll show up in the user’s mailbox in the Taps section.

Tap the Say something… field to type and send a text message. Tap the camera icon to select and send a photo. Tap the smiley face icon to send a sticker.

Tap and hold the microphone icon at the right side of the typing area. Continue holding the icon as you record your message. The message can be up to 60 seconds long. Lift your finger to stop recording. If you hit the 60 second mark before you’re finished, the recording will stop automatically. Tap the play button to listen to the audio before sending. Tap the send button to send it.

Be street smart when arranging to meet someone in real life. Always let a friend know where you are in case you run into trouble.

Be street smart when arranging to meet someone in real life. Always let a friend know where you are in case you run into trouble.