5 things you can't do on Tinder

Can you find someone on Tinder by name?
 By 
Rachel Thompson
 on 
5 things you can't do on Tinder
What can't you do on Tinder? Well, a few things actually. Credit: Getty Images

There are some things in life that would be really helpful. Bernard's Watch, for instance (who doesn't want a magical stopwatch that can stop time?).

Matters of the heart are no exception. There are a number of Tinder features that we wish existed and that would, quite frankly, make our love lives a lot easier to navigate. But alas, we can't have everything.

Before we give you the bad news about what you can't do on Tinder, here's a reminder of what you can do.

Hookup apps for everyone

AdultFriendFinder readers’ pick for casual connections

Hinge popular choice for regular meetups

Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

There's a fancy new Explore feature that lets you peruse profiles of people based on specific mutual interests. You can block your ex (or your boss, your family members, or anyone else you'd rather not bump into while swiping). You can video call your dates. You might not be able to get a blue tick on Twitter, but you can verify your Tinder profile.

Alright, now you've got all that to enjoy, here are five things you can't do on Tinder:

1. Find someone on Tinder by name

No, you can't. From a privacy perspective, it certainly makes sense why it's not possible to search for people by name.

2. Tell if someone deleted their Tinder

There's nothing definitive that'll tell you whether someone's deleted their profile. But if a person has disappeared from your conversations or matches, then it's safe to assume they've either deleted their Tinder or they've unmatched.

Either way, your energy is best spent on swiping for someone new.

3. Create a Tinder account without a phone number

Alas, this isn't possible. Tinder's policy means it's mandatory for everyone to use their phone number in order to create an account.

4. See if someone is active on Tinder

This is a confusing one because Tinder users who don't have Tinder Gold will have likely spotted a teaser feature at the top of their chats which shows recently online swipers alongside the words "likes you". Sadly though, you can't actually see if someone is active on Tinder. But Gold users do get access to the knowledge of who's already swiped right on them.

5. Know the last time someone was active on Tinder

Sadly you aren't able to see this information on Tinder. If you've got read receipts turned on, you'll know if a specific match has read your message. But otherwise, you'll be in the dark.

Happy swiping, folks!

Related Video: We asked over 1,000 people about their post-COVID dating plans

Topics Tinder

Rachel Thompson, sits wearing a dress with yellow florals and black background.
Rachel Thompson
Features Editor

Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.

A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.

Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
New Tinder users in the UK will now need to scan their faces
Tinder on app store appearing on iPhone

How to cancel your Tinder subscription
Silhouette of a hand holding a smartphone displaying the Tinder app.

All your Tinder questions, answered
tinder logo on a smartphone


Adult Friend Finder vs. Tinder: How they compare as hookup apps
By Jack Dawes
Paper Craft of Two Red Heart Chat Bubbles Attracted to Each Other on Pink Background Front View

More in Life
How to watch Chelsea vs. Port Vale online for free
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts

How to watch 'Wuthering Heights' at home: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's controversial romance now streaming
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embracing in still from "Wuthering Heights"

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers online for free
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders warms up

How to watch Mexico vs. Belgium online for free
Israel Reyes of Mexico reacts

How to watch Brazil vs. Croatia online for free
Vinicius Junior #10 of Brazil leaves

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!