Staying safe on Grindr

Grindr is a popular dating app, specifically aimed at gay and bisexual men. You can talk to other users in the area through the app and send messages or pictures. Many people use Grindr as a way to meet people for dates or sexual interactions.

Some people may also use Grindr as a place to sext or send nudes. Learn about sexting and what to do if someone sends you unwanted sexts or nudes.

How does Grindr work?

When you log on to Grindr, you are instantly able to view the profiles of other Grindr users in your area, listed in order of how close they are to you.  If another Grindr user is very close to you, their profile will appear at the top of your Grindr menu.  

Is Grindr for me?

Grindr is strictly for adults over 18 years of age. Whilst Grindr does not have to be used specifically for dating purposes, it is best known for romantic and sexual interactions.

Protecting your personal information on Grindr

When you log into Grindr you are most likely going to connect with people you’ve never met before, so it’s best to avoid making your personal information, such as your full name, phone number, email, or address, public. 

Looking after your location

Grindr connects you with people who are nearby, so by logging on, people will know that you’re in the area. It’s a good idea to be conscious of this, especially when chatting to new people, or if someone you’re talking to starts making you uncomfortable. Although it won’t give an exact location, users may be able to figure out where you are. 

You do have the option to turn off the ‘Distance from’ setting in the app, so they will know you’re nearby, but they won’t know exactly how far away you are. Find out how to turn off ‘Distance from’.

How to block someone on Grindr

If you want to stop another user from being able to message you, you can block them. To block someone on Grindr, tap the ‘Block’ icon in the profile of the person you’re looking to block. 

How to report someone

If someone is being abusive towards you, using hate speech, harassing you, or is doing anything that goes against their Community Guidelines, you can report the user to Grindr. To report someone on Grindr, tap the ‘Block’ icon in the profile of the person you’re looking to report, and select ‘Report’. 

If you think you may be communicating with someone under the age of 18 on Grindr, report it to the app.

Having a sexual picture or video of someone under 18 years of age, and sending that picture to other people, is illegal and can lead to criminal prosecution. Penalties can include jail time, a fine, and being added to the sex offenders register for at least two and a half years. Find out more about the laws around sexting.

Deleting photos you have already sent on Grindr

If you have sent someone a photo and you later decide you want to delete it, you can do this in the app. Find out how to delete recently sent photos on Android and on iOS.

How do I delete my Grindr account?

If you no longer want to be on Grindr, you can delete your account following the steps below. If you just want to take a break, you can simply delete the app from your phone, and re-download it when you’re ready.

• Tap the ‘Settings’ gear in the top right corner of your profile picture
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Delete Profile > Confirm

Staying safe

It’s really important to take steps to stay safe when online dating. If you are meeting someone for the first time, choose a busy, public place, tell someone else where you are going and what you are doing, and if you feel unsafe, leave the situation if you can and call someone you trust. 

Here are more safety tips from Grindr. Find out more about online dating here.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

• Chat now to a trained Youth Information Officer
• Or leave us a message and we will email you back