How to Get Unbanned From Grindr on iOS & Android (2025)

The solution to a Grindr ban can be straightforward — it depends on the type of ban you received. Some can be lifted quickly with an appeal, while others may require extra steps like changing your account details or device. The platform is very serious about protecting users of the app, given that the LGBTQ+ community is 50% more likely to be targeted for cyberbullying¹.

How do you fix a Grindr ban? Appealing the ban should be your first step, since many suspensions happen by mistake or for minor violations. If that doesn’t work, there are other methods you can try — I’ll cover each one below so you can choose the best option for your situation.

Short on Time? Here Are the Best Ways to Bypass a Grindr Ban in 2025

How to Fix Different Types of Grindr Bans: Step-by-Step Guide

The first step is to identify the type of ban, since the solution depends on it. Grindr can block your IP, phone number, email, or even your device itself. In most cases, fixing the ban means changing the affected detail — or, if necessary, everything.

Temporary bans are usually lighter and may be resolved by something as simple as reinstalling the app. Permanent bans are tougher, often requiring you to create a new account and start over. Here is a visual representation of the types of bans and their solutions:

Once you have a clue about the type of ban, you can try any or all of the solutions below.

1. Appeal the Ban

Appealing should always be your first step, whether the ban is temporary or permanent. It’s the safest option, since it lets you keep your profile, matches, and chats. If the ban was a mistake or the result of something unintentional, you can explain your case. A different moderator (not the one who issued the ban) will review your appeal and decide whether to lift or uphold it.

The Grindr ban appeal process is as follows:

• Visit the Grindr ban appeal page on the web.
• Sign in with the details of the banned account.
  Grindr insists you should use the dedicated page to submit an appeal, and not other channels
• Review the community guidelines and terms and accept them.
• Describe what happened.
• Attach screenshots of the ban on your mobile device, plus any other proof.

2. Use a VPN for IP Bans

For lighter bans, Grindr may sometimes just blocklist your public IP address. An IP address is a unique identifier assigned by your internet service provider that facilitates communication between your device and web servers. If your IP address is banned on Grindr, you can't use the app or even open another account from the same network.

A virtual private network (VPN) can help mask your public IP address very easily. Once you've installed the app on your Android or iOS device, you can simply tap and connect, and your IP address changes instantly. It also helps to keep communications on the Grindr app private.

Because you can’t also be sure whether a ban affects other device identifiers, it’s recommended to use a VPN jointly with the other methods (listed next) for better success.

Here’s how to safely bypass a Grindr ban using a VPN.

1. Get a reliable VPN. Choose a solid VPN service that can properly mask your IP address (while also disguising your VPN use). The app should have extra features like a kill switch to safeguard IP information from being exposed.
2. Install and set up the VPN app. Sign up for an account on the provider’s website and download the app from the Android or Apple app store (or directly from the website on PC). Install it just like you would any other app, log in, and turn on basic settings like kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection.
3. Connect to a server. From the VPN server list, choose a location closest to you, or where you want to find matches, and tap to connect. Your traffic will be rerouted through the selected server location to change your IP address.
   A VPN app on your phone enables you to change IP address and access Grindr securely
4. Try accessing Grindr. With the VPN connected, see whether you can safely open the banned Grindr account without getting flagged. If it works, make sure to leave the VPN always on when using the app. But if you can still see the ban, it means something beyond an IP address ban, so you need to try extra steps.

VPNs prevent third parties, including internet providers, from monitoring what you do on the dating app and other online services. This is also crucial if you travel frequently because you can safely find new matches and maintain communications on Grindr without worrying about being tracked.

While a good free VPN can offer basic protection, they aren’t recommended for Grindr. Almost 75% of these free apps integrate third-party tracking services², meaning your data can be easily collected and shared without your knowledge.

Quick Comparison Table: Best VPNs to Fix a Grindr IP Ban

3. Create a New Account for Email/Phone-Number Bans

A Grindr account ban is interlinked with your profile registration details, like phone and email. Therefore, for this type of ban, you will forfeit the old account if it's permanent. First, uninstall and reinstall the Grindr app, then go through the entire process of creating an account. Register with completely new information you haven’t used before on the platform, including photos.

Also, account and IP bans are often complementary, so to be on the safe side, you should use a different network from where you were banned to create the account.

4. Reset Your Device ID for Device-Level Bans

A device ID ban is more serious because it uses hardware unique identifiers, like phone and SIM IMEI numbers, to block your device. If this happens, you won’t have any success opening another account from the same device with a new email, phone number, or IP address. Instead, you have to reset your phone to factory settings to get another device ID, then afterward try to open another Grindr account.

How to reset device ID on Android

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to About phone or General management (whichever you can find on your Android version).
3. Choose Temporary cloud backup or Back up and restore.
4. Follow the steps to back up your data on a computer or cloud storage (not local storage).
5. Return to the About phone or General management menu and select Factory reset or Reset.
   All files, apps, and phone settings will be deleted during the reset
6. Choose Erase All Data.
7. Reinstall Grindr and create an account.

How to reset device ID on iPhone

1. Back up your data on iCloud or PC.
2. Go to Settings on your iPhone and select General.
3. Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Select Erase All Content and Settings.
   After reset, choose to set up your iPhone as new to get a different ID
5. Enter your iPhone passcode or password and confirm.

Before restoring your backups on iPhone, also delete Grindr data on iCloud to ensure no data from the old account is left.

Bonus: Try Emulators for Device-Level Bans

Resetting your device for a hardware ban can be too much trouble, in which case you can use an Android or iOS emulator to access Grindr from any PC, just like you would on your phone. Get any of the popular options like BlueStacks, MEmu, and RetroArch for Android or Delta and PPSSPP for iOS.

Download and install the emulator on your Windows or macOS PC. Then open the interface and log in to the Google Play or App Store with a different email/Apple ID from the banned account. Download Grindr, sign up for a new account, and start finding matches.

5. Dealing With Multiple Grindr Bans

If all the above don’t work, your best chance is to try everything all at once. That means that Grindr may have permanently banned your account, phone number, IP address, and device simultaneously. Reset your device ID or use a different one, connect to a VPN, and then create another Grindr account with new information (phone, email, username, etc). It takes time, effort, and resources, but it's worth a try if it remains your only option to use the app again.

Grindr Bans Explained: Types, Solutions, and Duration

A Grindr ban is a restriction on your account for violating the guidelines or terms of service. The bans are categorized depending on where or how they apply, and also on the duration.

• Temporary ban/suspension. This is a restriction imposed for a predetermined time frame. Grindr doesn't specify how long temporary bans last, but users report from a few days to even months.
• Permanent ban. For major infractions, Grindr may block you for good. This means you won't be able to use the same account again, and your only option is to create another one. You can appeal a permanent ban if you feel it was a mistake.
• IP/Device ban. As already mentioned, these are bans that use identifiers to filter specific users from accessing Grindr servers.
• Local vs server-side ban. A local ban happens from the Grindr app data folder on your device, so you can resolve it by deleting the local files and reinstalling the app. A server-side ban, on the other hand, means Grindr servers will filter your traffic based on unique identifiers.
• Shadow ban. For this type of ban, it’s your visibility that takes a hit. Slowly, you’ll start noticing that your profile isn’t being promoted on the platform, thereby limiting your chances of getting matched. Changing your IP address might help, but if the ban persists, consider creating another account.

Our Methodology for Testing Solutions for Grindr Bans

To understand how Grindr bans work, we tested with a restricted account. After submitting an appeal form, we received a response from the review team within 4 days. While waiting, we used a VPN to safely access the platform and successfully created a new account, which suggested that the restriction was not a full hardware ID ban. Our in-house testers also verified iOS and Android device ID reset procedures to confirm how they affect account access.

If you face a short suspension due to a genuine violation, the easiest option is often to wait it out. In the meantime, you can try low-risk fixes, like clearing Grindr’s app data or connecting from a different WiFi network. Feel free to use our infographic to assess which approach works best. Just remember that repeated violations can lead to a permanent ban, so it’s best to avoid risky behavior that might trigger further suspensions.

Why Was I Banned From Grindr?

Violating Grindr community guidelines and rules is the main reason for getting banned. It's possible to unknowingly break the rules or get flagged accidentally by the algorithm, and automatically get suspended in the process.

Some things to be aware of that go against the platform’s regulations are:

• Minors below the required age. Grindr is strictly for adults of at least 18 years. Underage accounts or content that shows children is forbidden on the platform.
• Harassment and bullying. Using rude language, forcing others to interact with you, or even reporting users for no reason.
• Being hateful to others based on their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, health status, etc.
• Commercial activities. Selling, buying, or asking for money on the platform isn’t allowed.
• Using a fake profile or images of others also isn’t permitted.
• Sharing information about other users. Giving out real names, addresses, locations, or the identity of users without their permission.
• Nudes and pornography. Sharing naked or sexual content publicly or even privately without others’ consent.
• Promoting negative or illegal behavior. Showing content that promotes drug use, violence, self-harm, misinformation, etc.

FAQs on Bypassing a Grindr Ban

Conclusion

Grindr bans can happen if your activity is flagged by the platform or other users. The severity of the ban determines how easily you can regain access, so it’s important to know your options — from appealing the ban to using low-risk fixes like clearing app data or connecting from a different network. Most importantly, follow Grindr’s community rules to prevent future suspensions and protect your account.

References

1. https://cyberbullying.org/cyberbullying-statistics-age-gender-sexual-orientation-race/
2. https://www.icir.org/vern/papers/vpn-apps-imc16.pdf/