Dating: How to Avoid Your Ex (or Anyone Else) on Dating Apps

Online dating can lead to meaningful connections – but it also comes with boundaries with protecting.. If you are hoping to avoid anex, a colleague, or someone from your social circle, knowing how to use blocking and privacy tools on dating apps is essential.

Most popular platforms now offer features to help you manage who can see your profile – and who can’t. Below are step-by-step guides for using block or remove features on Hinge, Bumble, Tinder and Match.

Hinge: Block Users by Profile or Phone Number

Hinge offers one of the most robust privacy tools among dating apps, letting you block users both in-app and by phone number.

How to Use It:

• To block someone before matching:
  • Tap the three dots (•••) on their profile.
  • Select "Remove" or "Block" – this hides your profile from them and vice versa.
• To block someone after matching:
  • Open the conversation, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, then choose "Unmatch" or "Report."
• To block someone by phone number:
  • Go to Settings > Block List.
  • Enter their phone number to ensure they never see your profile.
  • Note: They won’t be notified and will no longer appear in your feed.

Bumble: Block and Report After Viewing or Matching

Bumble does not currently support blocking users by phone number or name before you see them, but you can block and report profiles once you’ve encountered them in the app.

How to Use It:

• To block a match:
  • Open the conversation, tap the three dots, then select "Block & Report."
• To block someone before matching: