There’s nothing more frustrating than logging into Coffee Meets Bagel and seeing your account frozen. You’re left “accountless” and confused.
If that’s where you are right now, don’t panic. While getting back on CMB can be a challenge, it’s not impossible. Let’s dig into why CMB bans users, how to avoid getting banned again, and what you can do to get back on the app!
Why Does Coffee Meets Bagel Ban Users?
CMB is a non-Match Group dating platform focused on genuine dating. They ban as a means of enforcing strict rules to keep fake profiles, scammers, and bad behavior off the app.
When they suspect someone might be violating those rules, they don’t just ban the account. They can also block your phone number, Device ID, and even your IP address, making it nearly impossible to return.
Other than being reported (duh), some of the most common reasons for bans include:
- Creating fake or misleading profiles, like using someone else’s photos, edited pictures, or catfishing
- Sharing explicit photos, using sexual language in messages, or engaging in harassment
- Promoting a business, trying to sell services, or including links to other websites or social media in your bio
- Posting personal contact details like phone numbers or email addresses in your profile
- Signing up while underage or lying about your age
- Engaging in any illegal activities, including scams, fraud, or solicitation
Sometimes, bans happen immediately after signing up. Some, shortly after purchasing a premium subscription, leading us to speculate that CMB’s fraud detection system triggers extra scrutiny when payments are involved.
One of the most frustrating parts of dealing with a CMB ban is that the company rarely tells users exactly what they did wrong. Often, you’ll get a generic message about “violating terms” without any specifics.
How the Freeze or Ban Process on CMB Works
When your account gets frozen, you’ll typically see a message saying that your account is under review due to potential community guideline violations. At that point, you can’t log in or use any features on the app. There are two possible scenarios from there.
If CMB suspects your account might be fake, they’ll often ask you to verify your identity. This could involve uploading a selfie video, a photo of your government ID, or even holding up your hand in a particular gesture. Verification can take up to 48 hours. If everything checks out, your account might be restored quickly.
If your account was frozen due to suspected behavior violations, you won’t be able to unfreeze it yourself. You’ll have to wait for the CMB Safety and Trust team to review your case. That could take anywhere from a few days to longer, and the outcome might be either reinstatement or a permanent ban.
How to Get Back on Coffee Meets Bagel After a Ban
To make your comeback on the platform, you have to start fresh because CMB works hard to detect repeat offenders. Here’s how to give yourself the best shot at successfully creating a new account:
1. Reset your mobile device. CMB tracks your device’s unique ID, so simply deleting the app and reinstalling it won’t work. You need to completely reset your phone to remove any traces of your old account.
- On iPhone, go to Settings, search for “Reset,” and choose Erase All Content and Settings.
- On Android devices like Samsung, search for Factory Data Reset in Settings and follow the steps.
2. Create a new Apple ID or Google account. Your existing Apple or Google account can store data that CMB might use to track you.
3. Install CMB on a different Wi-Fi network. CMB also tracks IP addresses. Reinstalling the app on the same Wi-Fi network could link your new account back to your old ban. You can lower your chances of detection by using a different Wi-Fi connection or restarting your home router.
4. Get a new phone number. This is one of the most critical steps. CMB requires a phone number for account verification, and if you try to use your old one, you’ll be blocked immediately.
Try out services like DatingZest to purchase a new phone number. Buy a new number through DatingZest, receive the verification code via email, and use that number to sign up on CMB instead of your real one.
5. Sign up for a new account on CMB. Once you’ve reset your device, create a new Apple or Google account, switch networks, and secure a fresh phone number.
Then download the app from the App Store or Google Play and complete the registration process with new details.
Can You Appeal a Ban on CMB?
Yes, you can try to appeal a Coffee Meets Bagel ban, but it’s not a guaranteed fix. As of late 2023, CMB introduced a formal appeals process. If you believe your account was frozen or banned by mistake, you’ll need to:
→ Visit the CMB help center and locate the appeal form, usually titled something like “I want to appeal a decision on my profile or content”.
→ Fill in the form with your account details and provide a clear explanation of why you think the ban was an error.
→ Submit any evidence you have, like screenshots or details about your interactions.
Be aware that you can only appeal once for a specific ban, and you must do it within six months of being banned.
Even if you appeal, there’s no guarantee CMB will reverse the decision. Many
If you live in the European Union, you might have an extra option under the Digital Services Act. You can escalate to an external dispute resolution body.
How to Avoid Getting Banned Again on Coffee Meets Bagel
Now, I’m assuming you want to remain unbanned, in which case, you have to avoid making the same mistakes you did on your old account.
CMB’s detection systems are designed to catch suspicious patterns, and some get banned again quickly because they didn’t change enough details. Here’s how to stay under the radar and protect your new account:
Use a different payment method. If you upgrade to a premium membership, avoid using the same credit card you used before. CMB might connect the payment information to your old account.
Upload new photos. Reusing old pictures from your banned profile can get you flagged. Choose new, high-quality photos to give your new profile a fresh look.
Avoid mentioning your old details. Don’t reuse your exact bio or link any social media accounts that were connected to your previous profile.
Follow CMB’s community guidelines. Whatever behavior got your last account banned (whether it was a misunderstood joke or explicit photos), don’t repeat it. Read the rules carefully and stick to them.
Be careful about old matches. If someone from your previous account recognizes you, they could report you, and that’s an easy path to another ban.
Should You Verify Your Identity on CMB?
Coffee Meets Bagel offers an identity verification feature that lets you prove you’re real by uploading an ID and sometimes a selfie video. Whether you should do it depends on your situation.
*If your account has never been banned and you’re a legitimate user, verifying can be helpful. It makes your profile look trustworthy, and it might reduce the chance of getting falsely perceived as a fake account.
Your matching efficiency may even improve when verified because other daters feel safer connecting with someone whose identity has been confirmed.
*However, if you’ve been banned before and are trying to start fresh, this is a bad idea because CMB keeps records of identity verification data for up to three years; you could get instantly banned.
How Long Does CMB Keep Your Data?
Coffee Meets Bagel doesn’t publicly share every detail of their data retention policies, but based on bits of official information, here’s what we know:
- CMB keeps records related to bans, including your ID and phone number, for up to three years (which is longer than Tinder’s 90-day up to one-year rule).
- If you delete your account voluntarily, CMB may still retain some data temporarily in case you decide to return or for legal reasons.
- Chat messages and profile details from banned accounts often disappear from view, but they’re likely still stored on CMB’s servers for a time.
- Under privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA, you can request to have your data deleted, but doing so might limit your ability to appeal a ban later.
It’s worth noting that simply waiting a few weeks or months after being banned probably won’t be enough. If you plan to reuse your old information, you might have to wait years for CMB’s internal records to expire.
Once you manage to get back, keep your profile honest, respectful, and authentic, and you’ll find the kind of matches you’re hoping for in no time!
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