One key element influencing the success of dating apps like Hinge is location. Your location determines which profiles you see in your feed, creating opportunities for connections that are geographically convenient. By adjusting your location, especially if you’re traveling or planning to relocate, you can explore potential matches in a new area, aligning your dating experience with where you are or where you plan to be.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to change your location on Hinge. We’ll also cover what information Hinge stores about you, common scams to look out for, and how to stay safe while using the platform.
How to change location on Hinge manually
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to change your Hinge location:
- Open Settings and tap the pencil icon next to your name.
- Scroll to Edit and select Vitals.
- Under Location, enter the desired region.
- On iOS: Toggle Location on or off as needed.
- On Android: Optionally, tap the circle next to Visible on Profile to make your new location visible.
- Tap the back arrow icon to save your changes, then select Done.
- This will update your location, making it visible to others if enabled.
Does Hinge use your location and any other data?
Knowing what data tech companies collect is important; Hinge is no exception.
Hinge’s privacy policy shows that the app keeps data like photos, profile information, messages, and any content we share publicly. If you sign up through Facebook, Hinge will keep your profile name and details. Additionally, Hinge collects information about your searches, ads you click, and interactions with other users.
Hinge tracks your location with permission through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS. However, unlike other dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, Hinge allows you to decline location sharing while still using the app.
Hinge also gathers information from the device you use, including:
- IP address
- Device ID and type
- Advertising IDs
- Browser and operating system details
- Device identifiers from cookies
- Network connection information, including provider and signal strength
This level of data collection is typical in dating apps, but it’s something to keep in mind when deciding to join.
How to spot and avoid scams on Hinge
When using Hinge, you may encounter scams designed to exploit users seeking genuine connections. One common scam involves romance scams with fake profiles and attractive photos. These profiles often change their location and initiate conversations that seem authentic but later pivot to asking for financial help, sharing sob stories, or even requesting gift cards.
Another common scam is the “catfish” tactic, where scammers create a fake persona entirely. Once they set a random location on Hinge, they keep interactions solely online, avoiding video calls or in-person meetings. Over time, they build emotional connections with users and then introduce excuses for not meeting face-to-face. After establishing trust, they often rely on a sense of urgency or drama to persuade you to give money or personal information.
Lastly, some scammers on Hinge use phishing tactics to gather personal data. They change their Hinge location regularly to connect to as many people as possible and send links under the guise of “checking compatibility” or “taking the relationship to the next level.” Clicking these links could lead to fake websites that capture login details, credit card information, or other sensitive data. This could result in identity theft or fraud.
To protect yourself, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, and be wary of anyone who quickly asks for personal details.
Advantages of using a VPN for Hinge
Whether you’re traveling abroad or simply want to protect your data, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can help you maintain access to Hinge and keep your information safe. Let’s look at how a VPN for dating sites can improve your Hinge experience.
Accessing Hinge while abroad
Hinge is available only in specific countries, including Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and others in Europe and Asia. If you’re traveling outside these regions, you may lose access to your Hinge account. A VPN can help by allowing you to change your location and bypass these geo-restrictions to keep connecting with others and using apps while on the go.
Protecting your privacy
Because a VPN encrypts your traffic, the ISP and other third parties won’t be able to see that you’re using Hinge. The best VPNs use 256-bit encryption, which is very secure. If your ISP tried to check what you’re doing online while using a VPN, it would see only a random combination of letters and numbers.
Furthermore, you won’t be spammed with targeted ads based on your IP address, which includes most location-targeted ads.
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Masking your IP address
Hinge’s Privacy Policy allows some of your data to be shared with third parties, like advertisers. They can track your IP address and target you with personalized ads. Your IP address is a unique identifier that provides information about your network location. Apps and websites, including Hinge, can often see your network’s general location through your IP, even without direct access to your GPS. A VPN can mask your IP address, replacing it with an anonymous one to keep your location private.
Avoiding risks on public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, and cafes can expose you to security risks, including attacks where hackers intercept your data. Using a VPN on public Wi-Fi helps protect your information by encrypting your internet traffic. Many VPNs also offer a Kill Switch feature that automatically disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
