Were You Shadowbanned on Tinder? What It Is + How to Fix It (2024)

Written byDarlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 10, 2023Fact Checked

Things You Should Know

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1. 1

   Check Tinder's terms of service and guidelines. If you broke any guidelines, you're most likely shadowbanned. Some actions that could get you shadowbanned include:^[1]

   • Sending inappropriate texts.
   • Getting reported.
   • Posting disturbing/questionable pictures on your profile.
2. 2

   Test your account. There are a few ways you can test to see if your Tinder account is shadowbanned:

   • The app feels glitchy, like you can't get verified, or can't change your profile pictures.
   • You're swiping, but not getting any matches.
   • You recently got a warning for your behavior.
   • Your likes are stagnating, even if you have a subscription plan like Tinder Gold or Platinum.
   • You're not getting any responses to your messages.
   • Note that Tinder boosts new accounts for a little while. After a week or so, you'll notice that your likes and matches decrease, so don't confuse this with a shadowban!
   • You'll see an alert if you've been permanently banned from Tinder, explaining that you can't use your account while a shadowban happens without warning or notifications.

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1. Indefinitely. Since a shadowban essentially makes your profile invisible, chances are that you want to recreate your account. The dating service doesn't want to ban you outright so you keep using the platform, but they don't want you to be able to interact with other users either.

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1. 1

   Reach out to Tinder if you think the ban is an error. If you don't remember violating any rules, you can always reach out to Tinder for help getting your account un-shadowbanned. Go to Tinder's request submission form and explain your situation, and hopefully, they can help you.^[2]

2. 2

   Deactivate your Tinder account if you broke the rules. If you think you've been shadowbanned for violating Tinder's guidelines, your best bet might be to start a whole new account. To get started, delete your account in settings.^[3]

   • Resetting your account will take a few steps and extra work, so if you don't want to follow the required steps, you can try Tinder alternatives.
3. 3

   Uninstall Tinder. You'll need to get the app again later with a new Apple ID or Google account.

   • On many phones, you can tap and hold an app to uninstall it.
4. 4

   Disconnect any paired social media accounts. Tinder tracks your IP address, phone number, Wi-Fi, and SIM card. If you’re shadowbanned and you reuse any of these on your new account, they may reapply that shadowban to your new account. If your Facebook or Instagram account are linked to Tinder, remove their permissions in the relevant social media sites by logging on and going into the security settings.^[4]

   • For the best results, use a new phone and SIM card before downloading the app, if possible. This appears to dramatically improve the odds that you don’t get flagged as a banned member.
   • Factory resetting your phone may help if you can’t use a new device.^[5]
   • If you’re using a computer or a web browser, use incognito mode or use a VPN to hide your IP address.
   • Get a new IP address if you aren't using a VPN simply by turning off your computer and unplugging your router/modem for 5 minutes.
5. 5

   Sign up for a new account using a new phone number and email. The easiest way to do this is to sign up for a Google Voice number, which is free. However, you can use a friend or family member’s phone number if you prefer. If you have more than one cell phone, you could use your second phone number. Sign up for a new Tinder account using a different email address.^[6]

6. 6

   Create new profile content using fresh photos and an original bio. Do not reuse anything from your old Tinder profile, since that may get you re-shadowbanned. Fill out your new profile using fresh photos and a new bio. Then, you can start swiping.^[7]

   • Do not sign up for Tinder Gold or Tinder Plus using the same credit or debit card that you previously used on your banned account.
   • You may want to change your age by 1 year (i.e. if you’re 22, make it 23), and change/add one letter in your name (i.e. if your name is Eric or Sarah, make it Erik or Sara) to increase the odds you aren’t detected.

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