How To Change Your Location on Tinder

Maybe you have a trip planned for halfway around the world and want to check out your dating prospects, or maybe you’re moving and want to see if you’ll be alone forever. Whatever the reason, changing your location on Tinder is both easy and possible, whether through Tinder’s paid subscription options or through free measures. Here’s how to swipe and match in whichever city you please.

VPNs

As mentioned earlier, our top recommendation would be to use a VPN to change your IP address. It’s easy to set up a VPN; you can set up an Android VPN or set up an iPhone VPN in minutes. While the process will differ slightly depending on the VPN you choose, here are the basic steps:

1. Download the VPN app on your device.
2. Log in to your account, if you’ve already made one.
3. Input any necessary authentication or security codes.
4. Connect to a server in the location you’d like to explore on Tinder.

Once you’re connected, your phone will think you’re in another place and show you that location’s Tinder. That means you need to use a VPN that has a server in the location you want your Tinder account to be in. So, make sure to check your VPN provider’s server locations before subscribing.

Another key aspect of using a VPN with Tinder to beware of is that Tinder blocks some VPN server locations. They do this because some people use VPNs to get around their account bans. We already tested some of the top VPNs on Tinder so you don’t have to risk it using a banned server. Check out our article on how a VPN works and what it does for a more technical breakdown.

Manual

Another way to hide your IP address and replace it with that of another area is to change the address on your phone manually in your app settings.

To change your IP address on an iPhone or iPad:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Click “Wi-Fi.”
3. Click “Network.”
4. Under IPv4 address, click “Configure IP.”
5. Select “Manual.”
6. Enter your new IP address.

On an Android:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select “Wireless & Networks.”
3. Choose your Wi-Fi network.
4. Click “Modify Network.”
5. Click “Advanced Options.”
6. Click “Change Your IP Address” and enter your new address.2

Third-Party Apps

Another option is to change your IP address using a third-party location app. For iOS and Android devices, we recommend the app Dr.Fone, which has a free Virtual Location feature.3 Simply add a new location on your location-changer app to view Tinder users in another area.

Facebook Location

Think back to when you first set up your Tinder account (aka the days of innocence). Did you log in through Facebook? If so, you can change your Tinder location by changing your Facebook location.

1. Go to your Facebook page.
2. Click “Settings.”
3. Click “Location.”
4. Click “Never” so Facebook has to use your IP address to approximate your location, rather than going by your phone’s GPS data.

Of course, with this method, you’ll still need to change your IP address in some way using one of the above tactics, so it’s a bit of an extra step.

Proxy Servers

Another way to change your IP address is to use a proxy server. However, when comparing VPNs to proxies, we recommend VPNs by a long shot.

What’s the difference between proxy servers and VPNs? Well, you can only use a proxy server once to encrypt your IP address for one app. However, unlike a VPN, which hides your browsing history, proxy servers only encrypt your IP address. But if that’s all you’re looking for, and if you don’t care about data collection, you might prefer a proxy server to a VPN.

Tinder Locations 101

Now that you’ve traveled the world (virtually, of course), we want to answer all of your Tinder location-related questions — and believe us, there were many.

Why Change My Tinder Location?

There’s a number of reasons why someone would want to change their Tinder location. Maybe it’s to see and message people in other countries or areas, especially if you’re going to be in those areas soon. Another advantage is that when you change locations, you’ll get a “new user” boost, and thus more views.4 There are many fish in the sea, and changing your location on Tinder only exacerbates that, increasing your chances of finding love.

How Does Tinder Track Locations?

Tinder is a location-based app, so to use it and get matches, you’ll need the app to know your location. While the company isn’t super transparent on how it accesses users’ locations, it does require opt-in from the users themselves. You can have the app know your location all the time, only while you’re using the app, or just one time.

Many people ask us if Tinder uses GPS, and the answer is yes, sometimes. With user permission, Tinder will collect location data using various methods, including GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, according to its privacy policy.

Can I Change My Tinder Location?

You can change your Tinder location through several methods, including these:

• Using a VPN
• Manually changing your IP address
• Using a proxy server
• Changing your Facebook location
• Using a GPS-changing mobile app

Can I Hide My Tinder Location?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to hide your Tinder location; the point of the app is to meet people in your proximity, so if there’s no location, you can’t swipe.

How Do I Turn Off My Tinder Location?

While you can’t turn off your Tinder location, you can change it through any of the aforementioned methods.

Tinder Scams

These days, there’s a scam for everything. Tinder is no exception.

In 2020, the FTC reported that romance scams, including scams from Tinder and other dating apps, reached $304 million in total losses — a new record, as well as a 50 percent increase from 2019. It’s no wonder why, as the number of paid Tinder subscribers increased by 40 percent from the beginning of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020.5

It’s clear that Tinder is here to stay, and therefore, so are Tinder scams. Here’s what to look for, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’re caught in one.

Common Tinder Scams

These are the false premises for some of the most common Tinder scams:

• Traveling outside of the U.S.: Many scammers claim to be working on an oil rig, in the military, or in a Doctors Without Borders type of organization.
• Asking for money: Scammers may ask you for money for plane tickets, travel expenses, surgeries or other medical expenses, customs fees, gambling debts, or official travel documents like visas. They may ask you to wire money or send them gift cards or reload cards.
• Fake profiles: There’s a show called “Catfish” for a reason. Aside from making up occupations and asking you for your hard-earned cash, some people will use fake pictures or fabricated information. You might notice some inconsistencies or discrepancies. When in doubt, doing a reverse Google image search with their photos is always a good idea.

How To Avoid Tinder Scams

We’ve all had our misadventures in dating, but some scams are entirely avoidable.

1. Don’t give money to people on Tinder, especially people you’ve never met. Most likely, it’s a scam and you won’t get your money back, no matter how sad their story about treating orphans in Somalia is.
2. Don’t share your personally identifiable information like your full name, phone number, or mailing address. Scammers can use this information to steal your identity.
3. Rather than switching to email or instant messaging, keep your messaging on Tinder.

What To Do if You’ve Been Scammed on Tinder

So, you’ve fallen victim to a Tinder scam. Here are your next steps:

1. Stop talking to the scammer and block all of their accounts.
2. Save copies of all your communications with the scammer to serve as evidence.
3. Report the scam to Tinder by going to the scammer’s profile, scrolling down, and clicking “Report.”
4. Contact your bank; if you suffered any financial losses, you may be able to recoup some of your money.
5. Report the scam to the FTC6 and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).7

Recap

Whether you want to open up your dating options beyond your town or want to scout the scene in a country you’re visiting, changing your location on Tinder is a pretty straightforward experience.

Of course, Tinder isn’t the only dating app in town, although it’s the most popular.8 Many users use multiple dating apps to keep their options open, and if that’s the case for you, learn how to change your location on Bumble and how to change your location on Hinge. And remember, all’s fair in love and Tinder.