Deleting the app does not delete your data or your profile!



Have you ever deleted a dating app from your phone? Out of sight, out of mind, right? Wrong. Deleting an app only uninstalls it from your phone. It does not delete your data. Or your profile. Consider logging out instead!

After some years on the dating app scene I have noticed people saying they would be "deleting soon". Some users have told me they have deleted the app and then reinstalled it, hundreds of times. 

I probably have to spell it out: It may seem like things are gone when you tap that delete option but it just deletes it from your phone and none of the dating apps prompt you to also delete your profile on the server. Obviously they have no incentive to either. I think that is a problem in itself - what if you were prompted to either log out instead, or delete the app and your data on the server?

Since all your data remains intact it also means people will be able to see your profile on the app. If you really do not want to use the app anymore most apps have a feature to delete your profile. You must use this before you delete the app from your phone. Others don't have this so you must log in via their web site and self-delete your profile from there.

When deleting from your phone the dating app servers don't know you have deleted. On Grindr for example your profile will be visible for quite a long time - first it will be marked as not active and then as offline. This is a bit unfair to other users who might be trying to message you, not knowing you deleted the app and will not receive any notifications of new messages.

Logging out
Instead of deleting have you tried to log out instead? This immediately marks you as inactive on the app and usually, after a few minutes, your profile won't be shown to other users. When you are ready to use the app again, simply log back in.

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