Grindr (pronounced grind-er) is a mobile dating app devoted to homosexuals, bisexuals or bi-curious people. This app, available for Android, BlackBerry OS, and iOS, uses geolocation to find other users around you. Use Grindr to find friends who are nearby. Who knows, you might even find your soulmate there!
Step
Method 1 of 5: Setup
Step 1. Download Grindr
As mentioned above, Grindr is available for phones with Android, iOS, and BlackBerry OS operating systems.
- To use the Android version of Grindr, your phone must be running Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread and above.
- To use the iOS version of Grindr, your phone must be running iOS 6 and above. The App Store will also ask for confirmation that you are 17 years of age or older.
Step 2. Create a new account by entering your email address, age, password and CAPTCHA
Method 2 of 5: Creating a Profile
Step 1. Fill in the following fields to create a Grindr profile:
- Display name: This name will be used as your identity on Grindr. You can use a real name or a pseudonym.
- Headline: a short description that aims to attract people's attention to visit your profile.
- Age: Fill in your age. You must be 18 years of age or older to use Grindr. You can show or hide age if you want.
- About Me: Fill in a brief description of your interests, hobbies, likes/dislikes, your goal for installing Grindr, etc.
- Grindr Tribes: This column is used to include slang in the gay world. This slang is created based on body type and other qualities of self. For example, a skinny college student could fill in "Twink" in the "Grindr Tribes" column, while a broad, hairy man could fill in "Bear".
- Height, Weight, Body Type and Ethnicity.
- Looking for: Please select your purpose for using Grindr in this column. You can choose from chat, dates, friends, networking, relationship, or right now (casual sex).
- Relationship Status
- Social networks: Enter your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram usernames here so that other Grindr users can visit them.
- Make sure you follow Grindr's profile filling rules. On your profile, you are prohibited from posting obscene, abusive, racist, threatening, advertising, drug-related or advocating unsafe sex on your profile.
Step 2. Upload a profile photo from the phone gallery, or take a photo with the camera to set it as a profile photo
Once you upload a photo, it will be saved in the app so you can send the photo to other users without re-uploading it.
- For best results, take photos that clearly show your face, and smile when you take the photo. You may also want to try the tips in this article.
- Use your phone's front camera instead of a mirror.
- Make sure you follow Grindr's profile photo rules. You may not upload pornographic or lewd photos, advertise products or services, display guns or illegal drugs, violate copyright laws, or display underage subjects.
Method 3 of 5: Using the App
The application interface may vary depending on the type of device and operating system you are using. The images in this article are taken from an Android phone version 4.4 (KitKat).
Step 1. Tap a photo to visit another user's profile
Swipe the screen to show more users.
- Once a user's profile appears, you can see the user's photo more clearly, more information about the user, and the user's distance from you.
- Add the user to the favorites list by tapping the star icon.
Step 2. Notice the orange taskbar
This taskbar has five icons with various functions:
- The mask icon in the left corner of the taskbar contains the main menu. You can view and edit your profile, change app settings, get support, and subscribe to Grindr Xtra (Grindr's premium service).
- The chat bubble icon shows your entire chat. When you receive a new message, this icon will display a number.
- The circle icon hides the offline user. After tapping this icon, only online users will be shown.
- The star icon shows the users you have favorited.
- The three-stack box icon is used to set filter options.
Method 4 of 5: Chatting
Step 1. Start a conversation
Go to a user's profile, then tap the chat bubble icon. You can also double-tap the user's profile photo on the home screen. The message will be displayed on the chat screen. Sent messages appear in orange, and received messages appear in blue.
Step 2. Tap the camera icon to send the photo
Like a profile photo, you can select a photo from your gallery or take a new photo with the camera. Crop the photo as needed to remove certain objects in the background.
Step 3. Send your location by tapping the menu button on the device and selecting "Send Location"
This feature uses GPS to send a miniature map of your current location.
Method 5 of 5: Using Advanced Features
Step 1. Use filters to narrow down the criteria for the users displayed
Tap the last icon on the toolbar to turn on the filter, then select the following parameters: photo only, Grindr Tribes, age, height, weight, body type, ethnicity, looking for, and relationship status.
Some filter options can only be used after you have subscribed to Grindr Xtra (as described below)
Step 2. Consider subscribing to Grindr Xtra
New users will be able to try out Grindr Xtra's features for a few weeks. Until expiration, Grindr Xtra offers a variety of additional features, such as:
- Ability to display online users only
- No ads
- Push notifications for new messages
- More users shown on swipe
- Filter options: photo only, height, weight, body type, ethnicity and relationship status
- Ability to favorite or block unlimited users.
Tips
- Fill in the About Me field in your profile clearly. These fields have a character limit so you are advised not to add unnecessary information. Just write down some important information, such as hobbies, interests, personality, and the person you're looking for.
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Grindr is notorious for having many errors and performance issues, one of which is its tendency to randomly get rid of messages. If this problem occurs to you, write "Message difficult to enter" or similar text on your profile.
Also, because push notifications won't appear without Grindr Xtra, many users write "Late reply" on their profile
- Use the filters to find men who match your criteria. If you're looking for a long term relationship, set the filter to show only users who are looking for a long term relationship so you don't see men who only want sex.
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Follow the etiquette of dating sites in general.
- Avoid ignoring messages as they are considered rude. If you don't like someone, tell the truth, or block the person.
- Avoid using words that suggest racism or discrimination, such as "No Jawa" or "No Ngondek" (a term for flamboyant men who are less masculine).
- Try to prolong the conversation. One word answers are highly disliked on the internet.
- Decorate your profile and messages with emojis (iOS and Android).
Warning
- Be careful when doing ground coffee, both for dating and for sex.
- Sometimes, Grindr gets flooded with spam. Don't click on links that don't look convincing.
- Because one night love is so risky, practice safe sex and use condoms properly. Even if your opponent doesn't have HIV, avoid having unprotected sex with strangers.
