I highly recommend that you do not use your real phone number on Grindr if you want to protect your privacy (or if the phone verification isn’t working!).
This guide will go over the dos, don’ts, and the 3 easy steps to sign up on Grindr without your personal number!
| Method | Works for Grindr? | Disadvantages |
| DatingZest number | Yes | Paid |
| Real mobile number | Yes | Exposes your personal number |
| Google/Apple/Facebook | Sometimes | Not good for privacy |
| Google Voice | Rarely | Often flagged |
| Hushed/Burner | Usually no | VoIP numbers have low success |
| Landline/free SMS sites | No | Not SMS-capable or unreliable |
1. Get a Grindr Number From the DatingZest Service
DatingZest is a phone-verification service that offers numbers for dating apps; in this case, it helps Grindr users make an account without their real phone number.
The numbers cost only $9.95, and they are global. If you’re from a country where Grindr isn’t supported, DatingZest will make it so you can still sign up.
DatingZest numbers meet the criteria a number needs to be eligible for Grindr:
- Non-VoIP
- Works with Grindr phone verification
- Perfect for fresh starts on dating apps
- Fixes Grindr errors (e.g., “Something Went Wrong”)
Simply go to the DatingZest site and choose Phone Numbers for Grindr – that’s it! Each purchase is anonymous.
2. Sign up on Grindr With Your DatingZest Number
After filling out the information, DatingZest will send you an email containing your phone number. It should take less than a few minutes!
Note: Your purchase will be shown on your bank statement as “DZEST” for privacy reasons.
DatingZest works for new Grindr users who want to protect their privacy, as well as old users who once signed up through email and password.
My tip: For maximum accuracy, copy the number from the dashboard, go to Grindr, and paste it into the sign-up page.
3. Verify Your Grindr Account via the Verification Code
Go back to the DatingZest dashboard to copy the code. I don’t suggest memorising it because typos are very common (Grindr verification is case-sensitive!).
Enter the code in the Grindr box, and you’re good to go! You have now created a Grindr account without your personal phone number.
Know that DatingZest’s codes are guaranteed, and they have a high success rate because of the SIM-based technology that works with Grindr.
Can You Skip Grindr’s Phone Verification?
No, you cannot skip Grindr’s phone verification because every user has to link a legit, SMS-capable number to their account.
If you’re an existing user who initially signed up with an email and password, it’s just a matter of time before you’re prompted to get phone-verified.
The only official way is to sign up with Facebook or Google. Tap “Continue with Apple/Google/Facebook”; follow the steps shown on the screen to create the account without Grindr’s SMS.
Although Grindr may not outright say this, your number is probably already associated with your Facebook, Google, or Apple ID.
If you prefer the email sign-up, use a fake number. Grindr will likely not verify VoIP phone numbers, landlines, and numbers from free, public sources.
- Google Voice rarely works for Grindr since it’s flagged.
- Hushed numbers are VoIP, so they don’t usually work on Grindr
- Burner is another VoIP service that doesn’t work for Grindr verification.
How to Fix Grindr Errors (Related to Phone Verification)
– If you picked Apple/Google and still see a phone prompt.
Apple/Google is asking for its own security number. Finish it, then continue. Third-party sign-ups on Grindr still require phone verification.
– If the SMS code never arrives (email sign-up).
Re-enter the number with the right country/area code, wait a short time, and check if your carrier is blocking short-code SMS (turn “Message Blocking” off).
Grindr has a 24-hour window for delivery. If it still fails or says “Invalid number,” the line is likely incompatible or flagged – use a different number. Grindr cannot manually verify you.
– If it says “Phone number used too many times.”
You’ve hit the cap: Grindr allows five accounts per number. Delete an old account and wait 24 hours, or use another number.
– If you get a registration loop or a generic “Registration error.”
Update the app, restart your Wi-Fi, or switch over to mobile data. Temporarily turn off your VPN, ad-blockers, or private DNS, and try again after 24–48 hours, or switch the sign-up method (Apple/Google instead of email, or vice versa).
– If there’s a banned account tied to your number.
If a number is linked to a banned profile, new sign-ups with that number often fail. Appeal the current ban if it’s a mistake; otherwise, use a different number.
– If you’re trying to sign up on your desktop.
You can’t sign up for a Grindr account on your PC. Create the account on the Grindr app, then log in to Grindr Web later.
Q&A: Grindr Phone Verification
1. Do I absolutely need a phone number to sign up on Grindr?
Yes, you need a non-VoIP, SIM-based, unused number for Grindr registration. To protect your identity, fix bans, or avoid leaving traces, don’t use your actual phone number.
2. How do I stay anonymous on Grindr?
Turn on Discreet App Icon because it hides the Grindr logo, and set a PIN. Grindr suggests using a VPN on untrusted Wi-Fi, but check local laws first.
3. Why does the “You’re almost there!” anti-spam message keep popping up?
Grindr thinks you or your network is suspicious. Try clearing your app’s cache and changing your network.
4. How do I rejoin Grindr after a ban without my phone number?
Make your Grindr account on a different/hard-reset device and don’t recycle any information during the sign-up or profile-creation process. Use a DatingZest phone number instead.
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