Navigating the dating scene while traveling can be tricky. You’re swiping in New York City, but next week you’ll be exploring San Francisco. Can you set up dates in advance? With Hinge, the answer is yes! Unlike other dating apps, Hinge allows you to manually adjust your location without needing a paid subscription. Let’s dive into how this works and whether you need a VPN.
Do You Need a VPN to Change Location on Hinge?
No, a VPN isn’t required. Hinge doesn’t rely on your IP address or phone’s GPS to determine your location. Instead, you manually set it within the app. However, since Hinge involves interacting with strangers, using a VPN can be a good practice for online safety. Here are a few VPN options:
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View Plans Links to Surfshark
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How To Change Location on Hinge
While Tinder and Bumble require a paid subscription to change your location, Hinge operates differently. Because Hinge doesn’t automatically detect your location via GPS or IP address, you have the freedom to modify your location as needed.
Important Note: Hinge locations don’t automatically update. If you reside in Los Angeles but visit Seattle, your matches will still be from Los Angeles until you manually change your location to Seattle.
There are two primary ways to change your Hinge location.
How to Change Location on Hinge Manually
This method involves directly adjusting your “My Neighborhood” setting.
- Open the Hinge app and log in.
- Navigate to “Settings.”
- Select “Preferences.”
- Tap on “My Neighborhood.”
- Use the compass icon to pinpoint your current location. Alternatively, you can zoom and navigate the map to select your desired location.
You can also adjust your location through your profile settings.
On iOS:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap the pencil icon next to your name.
- Scroll down and tap “Edit.”
- Select “Vitals.”
- Toggle the switch next to “Location.”
- Enter your desired region.
- Tap the less-than icon at the bottom.
- Tap “Done.”
On Android:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap the pencil icon.
- Scroll to “Edit.”
- Select “Vitals.”
- Under “Location,” enter your desired region.
- Tap the circle next to “Visible on Profile” if you want your new location to be displayed.
- Tap the less-than icon to save.
Do I Need a VPN To Change My Hinge Location?
Hinge prioritizes relationship-focused matching over proximity-based connections, unlike apps like Tinder. As a result, Hinge doesn’t rely on your phone’s location data. Instead, it lets you manually set your location. Therefore, a VPN won’t directly impact your Hinge location or matching process.
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However, the benefits of using a VPN extend far beyond dating apps. VPNs offer crucial online security by masking your IP address, which safeguards you from potential hacking attempts. Furthermore, they allow you to change your IP address, enabling you to appear as if you’re browsing from a different country. This can be useful for accessing region-locked content, like changing your Netflix region for a movie night.
VPNs also encrypt your web activity, ensuring your privacy from your internet service provider (ISP), though Hinge will still collect this data. In essence, using a VPN is a valuable way to maintain anonymity online.
Hinge Privacy Policy
Understanding what data Hinge collects is crucial. Hinge retains the information you provide, including photos, videos, messages, and profile content. If you signed up through Facebook, Hinge also stores your Facebook profile data. Additionally, Hinge tracks your searches, ad interactions, and communication patterns with other users.
Hinge, with your permission, may also track your location using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS. Unlike Tinder and Bumble, Hinge offers the option to decline location tracking.
It’s important to remember that Hinge is part of the Match Group, meaning your data is shared with other popular dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and Plenty of Fish.
Hinge also collects device-specific data, including:
- IP address
- Device ID and type
- Advertising IDs
- Browser type, version, and language
- Operating system
- Time zones
- Device identifiers from cookies
- Network connection data, including provider and signal strength
This is where VPNs become beneficial. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a different location, effectively hiding your IP address and other identifying information from Hinge.
Hinge Dealbreakers vs. Preferences
Hinge offers features like “Dealbreakers” and “Preferences” to refine your matches.
Dealbreakers
Dealbreakers allow you to specify non-negotiable criteria, such as height or location. Hinge will then exclude profiles that don’t meet these criteria.
Preferences
Preferences enable you to prioritize profiles that align with your desired characteristics. To set your preferences:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap on the preference you want to edit.
- Enable “Dealbreaker” if it’s a strict requirement.
- Tap the back button.
Note that your preferences are only visible to you.
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Recap
Hinge simplifies location changes, setting it apart from other dating apps. You don’t need a VPN or third-party tools. However, using a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks is always recommended for security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I change my Hinge location multiple times?
A: Yes, you can change your Hinge location as many times as you want.
Q: Does Hinge automatically update my location?
A: No, you need to manually update your location within the app.
Q: Will using a VPN change my Hinge location?
A: No, Hinge relies on your manually set location, not your IP address.
