Are you seeking a serious relationship on the Hinge app? Hinge provides only a few matches per day, located for you from either your social media friends or your chosen neighborhood. But if you just moved to a new city, you might want to make adjustments to your settings before you start meeting anyone. No matter the reason, you can change your Hinge location with just a few steps.

We have looked into this online dating site in depth to show you how to change your location on Hinge, adjust your privacy settings, and even use a VPN to hide your IP address — all good measures to increase your online security. Keep reading for our full guide on how to change location on Hinge and whether you need a fake GPS location changer to do so.

Manually change location on Hinge

Unlike many dating services, the Hinge app is not a location-based dating service that automatically updates your location. In fact, you have to give Hinge permission even to collect data on your current location.

After reviewing this app, we feel that being able to make unlimited changes to your location can be an advantage when it comes to your dating experience. Not only can you change your location as many times as you need, but doing so will open up matches anywhere on the globe for you. Are you feeling that British accent or maybe wanting to explore a different culture in Asia? Have you always wondered what it would be like to date someone in Australia?

Regardless of where you are in the world and your personal preferences, Hinge makes it possible to connect with people in any culture. Keep reading below on all the details about how you can change your location on Hinge and continue your matching experience.

How to change Hinge locations:

1. Log into the app and select your photo icon near the navigation bar.
2. Select preferences.
3. Select My Neighborhood.
4. Click on the compass icon near the bottom right of the map or swipe and zoom to hover over your preferred location.

How to change to a different location on Hinge using your profile settings:

iOS devices (iPhone and iPad)

1. Click the Pencil icon.
2. Select the square near “Visible on profile” to show your criteria.
3. Scroll down and click on the Vitals section.
4. Tap on toggle near “Location” and enter your desired location.
5. Click on the toggle selection to either hide or make your location visible.
6. Click on the "less than" symbol (<).
7. Select “Done” to save the change.

Android devices

1. Click the Pencil icon.
2. Select the square near “Visible on profile” to show your criteria.
3. Scroll down and click on the Vitals section.
4. Enter your new location in the “Location” area.
5. Select the circle near “Visible on profile” if you want to make your location visible.
6. Click on the "less than" symbol (<) to save your changes.

Does Hinge need my location?

Unlike location-based dating apps, like Tinder and Bumble, Hinge does not require your location when using its dating service. But the company does have the ability to track your location through your geolocation and IP address. The geolocation data collection can occur in the background, meaning that the app can collect your location information whether or not you are actively using it at the time.

But don’t despair — we’ve outlined how you can modify your interactions with Hinge’s data collection policies so you can feel secure with your online experience. We've read through Hinge’s privacy policy, with the most recent updates in effect on February 15, 2023, and have noted the most important points for you

What basic data does Hinge collect?

On a basic level, Hinge collects any information you share with it, such as your phone number, email address, photos, videos, and your messages with other users of the platform. If you log in through a social media platform, like Facebook, the service will also collect your social media information. Sharing essential information with Hinge makes it possible for you to use its dating services.

What other data does Hinge collect?

The company may collect other data from you, including your IP address, device IDs, browser types, your operating system, your network provider, and advertising IDs.

It also gathers device ID mechanisms from cookies. Hinge states in its cookie policy that it uses cookies to better remember your personal preferences, among other advertising reasons.

Is my data shared with third parties?

Hinge is a subsidiary of Match Group, and it does share your information with its multiple affiliate businesses and also with third-party partners who publish Hinge’s ads on different websites.

The privacy policy claims that mutual information sharing across platforms enables Match Group to make its service safer by banning any potential bad actors across the company’s websites. Moreover, it states that your shared information allows the business to run efficiently with data hosting and maintenance, customer care services, and targeted marketing functions.

Do I have any choice about data sharing?

The great news is that you do have choices on how to use Hinge while best protecting your privacy. You can explore its help center for a full list of privacy options or for detailed questions, but we have included a few important pieces of information below for you.

Please note that altering your data-sharing options can modify your overall experience within the application.

Device permissions

You can modify your settings on your mobile device directly to allow or deny the collection of your data by any particular app, including push notifications, phone contacts, pictures, and more.

You should have a privacy or security section within your phone’s settings that allows you to go to the Hinge app directly, tap on it, and modify what personal information will be available to the application.

Tools, account settings, and cookies

Hinge advises within their cookie policy that you are able to adjust your cookie preferences within the app by going to your account settings menu.

Moreover, Hinge has a tools and account settings menu that lets you access and modify multiple data permissions that are directly linked to your account.

Geolocation settings

You have the option to either provide or remove your consent to having your geolocation data — your latitude and longitude coordinates — from being tracked. While in the Hinge app, select settings > privacy > toggle off geolocation.

Do I need a VPN for Hinge?

You may be asking yourself: How does Hinge work, and will a VPN hide my location? Because you are able to change your Hinge location settings yourself, you don’t actually need to use a VPN to spoof your location.

Yet using a VPN each time you connect to the internet can be a good choice. A VPN will encrypt your internet traffic, giving you privacy while browsing your potential love matches. Because your activity is routed through a random server in a location of your choosing, it makes it more difficult for your information to be intercepted by hackers who want to target your data privacy.

All About Cookies has researched a few of the best mobile VPN options for the Hinge app. Both of these options come with standard AES-256 encryption for your protection. 

Surfshark

4.9

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On Surfshark's website

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Surfshark

• VPN technology offering stability and speed
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Works with Netflix and other streaming services
• Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

Surfshark’s VPN is great for apps and video streaming right on your mobile phone. It offers VPN protection on an unlimited number of devices and has an established network of servers in over 100 countries.

You can feel protected knowing that Surfshark has a no-logs policy, meaning that the company never stores your information, and it offers an automatic ad blocker as well. Surfshark also provides a kill-switch feature that ensures your data remains protected even if your VPN suddenly switches off.

Apple Store rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Google Play Store rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

Get Surfshark

Read our full Surfshark review

ExpressVPN

4.6

Learn More

On ExpressVPN's website

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ExpressVPN

• Premium VPN offering strong security and ultra-fast speeds
• Strict no-logs policy with independent audit
• In-house Lightway protocol for more speed and security
• More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

ExpressVPN is a robust platform, providing interesting features along with an intuitive setup. This commercial VPN service provides protection for up to five devices simultaneously throughout a server network in 94 countries.

ExpressVPN has been audited by Cure53 verifying its no-logs policy. Moreover, it also offers a kill-switch feature named Network Lock. For extra security purposes, the company gives you the option to use split tunneling, which lets you freely go between public and private networks by deciding which apps can be turned on or turned off of the VPN at any time.

Apple Store rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Google Play Store rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

Get ExpressVPN

Read our full ExpressVPN review

Hinge FAQ

Bottom line

Hinge’s dating app allows you to explore potential matches anywhere in the world. This is a unique feature compared to other location-based services, enriching your overall dating experience. With learning how to use Hinge’s location options and privacy adjustments, along with using a VPN, you will keep your security a top priority while searching for compatible dates online.

4.9

Limited-time offer: 69% off + 3 extra months

Learn More

On NordVPN's website

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NordVPN

• High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
• Loads of servers for multiple connection options
• Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
• Too many confusing plans

Author Details

Robin Moore

About the Author

Robin Moore is a freelance writer and editor specializing in blockchain technology, including wallet security and data privacy. She is the current Managing Editor for Watcher.Guru, a startup blockchain and finance news publication with 1.7 million followers on Twitter. Robin has also been the lead content editor with Genfinity.IO, another startup blockchain research publication. Before entering the Web3 space, she was a business analyst within the oil and gas industry. When she is not offering advice on the best ways to protect data privacy, she is hiking, doing yoga, or networking with her Web3 family on crypto-Twitter.