After hours of swiping right, you finally found a match. However, with Tinder not showing messages, it can be hard to continue a conversation. Luckily, we have the solutions you’re looking for!
With over 75 million Tinder users, this issue is one of the more common problems you will likely face.
By following these proven solutions, you should be able to contact your matches in no time.
Let’s find out how to deal with this error!
To get your messages to show up on Tinder, force close and restart the app. This will reset any errors it previously encountered. Next, check your Internet connection. If connectivity isn’t the issue, check for an update. Clearing your app cache can also help in resolving this error.
Before we proceed to the fixes, let us discuss the possible reasons your Tinder messages aren’t showing.
What Causes Tinder Messages Not Showing Up
Tinder is one of the most successful dating apps today. However, like other apps, it is not without flaws.
One of the common complaints of users is Tinder messages not showing up.
Below are the possible culprits.
1. Tinder Service Is Out
The tinder servers may be down at the moment. In this case, all users in your area are experiencing issues.
2. Slow Internet Connection
The chatting function of Tinder may get slow if you don’t have a strong Internet connection.
It is also possible you have network issues that might cause the app not to operate properly.
3. Account Issue
Your account may have been banned due to community violations. Or the ones you DMed blocked or unmatched you immediately.
4. App Malfunction
It’s likely your application isn’t operating properly. Either the app has problems that prevent you from receiving messages, or there’s ongoing maintenance.
5. Temporary Bugs and Glitches
Tinder is plagued with bugs and glitches like other apps.
If you were not able to update the app to the latest version, you will likely face issues such as Tinder messages not showing up.
These are the possible reasons you can’t see your Tinder messages. Let us now get into the solutions.
How to Fix Tinder Not Showing Messages
If you are not getting new messages on Tinder, the cause can be due to a service outage or an app malfunction.
The easiest step to take here is to make sure that the Tinder servers are up and running.
Now, their servers don’t go down a lot, but you can check on Tinder’s official social media platforms for updates.
If Tinder is not down, you will want to suspect an app malfunction. You can quickly resolve this by logging out of the Tinder app and logging back in.
This will allow the app to reconnect to the servers and sync your information with the servers. Your messages should be back once you relaunch Tinder.
In case these steps don’t resolve this particular issue, let’s proceed to other advanced solutions that will get your Tinder messages back so you can set up that date.
Solution #1: Force Restart Your Tinder App
A solution you can perform is to restart the Tinder app. Doing this should allow the app to reset any possible errors that it’s currently experiencing.
A force restart is a step that should remove the app from your phone’s memory so any bugs or glitches that it has will be cleared up.
Opening your app after force closing allows your phone to open it without relying on any temporary files to make it load faster.
Here’s how to force restart your Tinder app on your phone:
- Swipe up on your phone’s home screen.
- Find the Tinder preview card from your list of open apps.
- Swipe it up out of the screen.
- Go back to the home screen and open the Tinder app.
Note: For Android devices, you’ll need to swipe the preview card to the left or right instead of up.
Solution #2: Make Sure You’re Still Matched on Tinder
Most of the time, it usually comes down to user behavior if you can’t view your Tinder messages.
If messages are suddenly lost, it’s possible that the user that you exchanged messages with has unmatched you.
They could have removed their Tinder account or uninstalled the app from their phone.
If you think this is the cause of why your Tinder messages are not showing up, you want to confirm if the profile you’re talking to is still matched with you.
Here’s how to determine if you’re still matched on Tinder:
- Log out on Tinder and log back in.
- Go to your messages and check if they show up.
- Check your matches to see if they’re still on it.
- If their profile is not on your Matched profiles, they have unmatched you.
Note: There’s nothing much you can do if they unmatched you, and it’s more of a personal reason rather than an app glitch or issue.
Solution #3: Switch On Location Services on Your Phone
As you already know, Tinder relies on your location and GPS for it to work properly.
If the GPS module on your phone is switched off, Tinder might not work. It needs to know your exact location so it can pair you up with people near you.
It may not always affect the app’s message feature. However, faults can happen, affecting the entire app if it cannot detect your current location.
Here’s how to turn on location services on your phone:
On iOS devices:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Navigate to Privacy.
- Select Location.
- Toggle the switch to the On position.
On Android:
- Go to your phone’s Settings app.
- Select Location Access.
- Turn the Access to my location option to On.
Note: You can also turn on Location services by accessing your Android phone’s Quick Settings or iPhone’s Control Center.
Solution #4: Enable High Accuracy or Precise Location for Tinder
If enabling location services on your phone does not resolve the issue, you want to go a little bit deeper.
Location services should only give you a rough estimation of where you are.
If the estimated area is large enough, Tinder won’t be able to properly connect you with possible dates and show their messages to you.
What you need to do is to enable high accuracy or precise location on your phone. Here’s how you can do that on your phone:
Turn on Precise Location on iOS devices:
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Go to Privacy and Security, then Location Services.
- Scroll down and locate Tinder from the list of apps.
- Tap on Tinder.
- Turn on Precise Location.
Turn on High Accuracy Location on Android:
- Tap on the Settings app on your phone.
- Select Location.
- Toggle the Location switch to On.
- Tap Mode, then choose High accuracy.
Solution #5: Clear the Google Play Services Cache on Your Phone
If you’re using an Android phone, chances are you’ve encountered an app named Google Play Services.
It’s an important app that connects other apps, especially if they have an option that allows you to sign up or log in using your Google account.
The Tinder app is integrated with the Google Play Services app, so if there’s an issue with it, it can affect your other app.
In cases where Tinder is not showing your messages, an account sync or link error has occurred that causes this to happen.
You can resolve this by clearing the cache of your Google Play Service app to fix your Tinder integration with it.
Here’s how to clear the Google Play Services cache on your phone:
- On your Android phone, go to your Settings app.
- Select Apps or Manage apps.
- Scroll down and find Google Play Services and tap on it.
- Go to Storage.
- Tap on Clear cache.
If you’re on an iOS device and don’t have access to this step, your option would be to remove and reinstall the Tinder app.
Tip: Do not select Clear data as it can mess up your other apps.
Solution #6: Reset Your Tinder App Preferences
App preferences are somewhat hidden settings that can significantly impact apps like Tinder.
Your phone will usually grant permissions to the Tinder app upon installation.
However, as you use the app these can change and affect how the app performs.
Resetting your app preferences will restore permission settings to their default values.
It will also revert notification settings and data usage limits that you may have changed that can cause this issue.
It won’t delete the app or remove your data, so you don’t need to worry about those.
Here’s how to reset app preferences for Tinder:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Go to Apps, and select All apps.
- On the top right, tap on the dot menu.
- Choose Reset app preferences.
- Tap on Reset apps.
Note: For iOS users, the closest thing to resetting your app preferences would be to check your App Store for any updates to the Tinder app.
If you’re still experiencing any issues with your Tinder app not displaying your messages, you will want to contact Tinder customer support.
It could be an issue with the servers or app which you have no control over.
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Bottom Line
These solutions should help you resolve Tinder not showing messages issue on your phone.
All you need to do is follow these steps closely so you can gain access to your messages and continue using Tinder to meet new people.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.