This article was co-authored by Naveh Ben Dror and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Naveh Ben Dror is a Social Media Security Expert and the CEO of Spikerz based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Naveh and his team provide social media protection for content creators, businesses, and enterprises. His professional background is in international brand marketing and e-commerce. Naveh received both his Bachelor of Law and MBA from Reichman University.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 285,418 times.
Does the Tinder app feel glitchy to you whenever you try to use it? Or do you barely get any matches? You might be shadowbanned on Tinder. The dating service could place a shadowban on your account without warning if you do something wrong, like breaking Tinder’s community guidelines. Luckily, there are ways you can recover from a shadowban. In the meantime, read Tinder’s community guidelines so you can avoid doing anything that might get your account completely banned. This wikiHow article teaches you about Tinder shadowbans and how to recover from one.
Things You Should Know
- A shadowban means that you aren't alerted to the action, but there are a few ways that you can tell if you've been shadowbanned.
- If you are swiping, but not getting messages, or if the app feels glitchy to you, you might be shadowbanned.
- Use a new SIM card, a new phone number, different email, new IP address, and all new information when you create a new Tinder account so it isn't immediately shadowbanned.
Steps
How do I recover from a shadowban?
-
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]
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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]
-
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.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
-
You can use alternatives to Tinder instead of that dating app if you are having trouble resetting your account.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://policies.tinder.com/terms/intl/en/
- ↑ https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
- ↑ https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/6956972185229-Delete-Your-Tinder-Account
- ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9431959?hl=en
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201274
- ↑ https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003356706-How-do-I-create-a-Tinder-account-
- ↑ https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003356706-Create-a-Tinder-Account