Not getting the results you want on Hinge? If it feels like your matches have dried up or the same profiles keep showing up, you might be thinking about deleting your account.
But there’s another option – one that lets you refresh your experience without losing everything: Hinge’s Fresh Start.
It’s a quiet reset that clears your swiping history but keeps your profile and matches intact. So, which is better — Fresh Start or starting from scratch?
Let’s break it down.
What Is Hinge Fresh Start?
Hinge doesn’t exactly shout about it, but if you’ve ever tried to delete your account, you might’ve seen an option called Fresh Start pop up. It’s not a full reset — but it’s a smart way to clear your past swiping history without losing your profile or conversations.
Here’s what Fresh Start does:
- It clears out your past likes and passes — meaning people you swiped left on might reappear, and those who didn’t match with you might get another chance to see your profile.
- Your existing matches and chats stay untouched, so you don’t lose any conversations that are still going.
- Your profile — photos, prompts, and all — stays the same unless you decide to update it.
Think of it like restarting a level in a game without losing your saved progress. You’re not building from the ground up, but you’re refreshing your spot in the app’s system — and hopefully, in the eyes of potential matches.
To use it, you usually have to go to Settings > Delete Account — and right before you confirm deletion, Hinge may offer you the Fresh Start option instead.
Heads up: Not everyone will see the Fresh Start option. It typically appears when you go to delete your account, but Hinge doesn’t guarantee it’ll show — and it might depend on how long you’ve been active.
Does It Really Reset the Algorithm?
This is the big question, right? Everyone wants to know if Fresh Start actually resets the algorithm and boosts your profile back to the top of the pile.
Here’s the short answer: kind of, but not completely.
Fresh Start gives your profile a light refresh. It clears your past likes and passes, which helps show your profile again to people who may have missed it. Many users who have performed have seen a small boost in visibility right after using it.
But it’s not a full algorithm reset. If your profile wasn’t working before — poor photos, weak prompts, low engagement — Fresh Start won’t fix that on its own. Hinge’s algorithm still responds to how others interact with you.
So yes, Fresh Start can help, but only if you use it as a chance to improve your profile — not just recycle the same version of yourself. If you you treat it like a second chance to show up better — not just show up again.
Hinge Fresh Start vs. Deleting Your Account
If you’re really fed up with Hinge, you might be thinking, “Should I just delete my account and start over?” That’s one way to do it — but it’s not always the best move.
Let’s break down the key differences between Fresh Start and full account deletion, so you can decide which path makes more sense for you.
What Happens When You Use Fresh Start:
- It resets your swipe history — so people you swiped left on come back into your feed, and you get another shot with those who didn’t match with you before.
- Your profile stays the same — unless you update it. Photos, prompts, and preferences won’t change unless you change them.
- Your existing matches and conversations are saved, so you don’t lose people you’re already chatting with.
- You stay invisible to anyone you unmatched or blocked. They won’t reappear unless you fully delete and remake your account.
- You usually get one Fresh Start per account, or at most once every 30 days. It’s not something you can use all the time.
This is the best option if:
- You’ve been on the app a while and want to try again without losing everything.
- You’ve updated your photos or prompts and want people to see the “new you.”
- You want to avoid awkward run-ins with old matches or exes.
- You’re not getting matches but don’t want to start over completely.
What Happens When You Delete Your Account:
- Your entire profile, matches, messages, and swipe history are erased.
- Hinge may still retain your data behind the scenes for around 3 months, even after deletion (mostly for safety and moderation reasons).
- People you unmatched, blocked, or swiped left on will see you again, and you’ll see them too — just like you’re a brand new user.
- You’ll need to rebuild your profile from scratch, re-upload photos, rewrite your prompts, and adjust your settings.
- You might get a temporary visibility boost, as Hinge tends to give new accounts more exposure at first.
Pro Tip: Planning to delete your Hinge account and start fresh? Reusing the same phone number might limit your visibility or trigger flags. To avoid this, use a verified number from DatingZest Hinge service, a trusted phone verification service made for dating apps.
This could make sense if:
- You want to completely disappear from the app for a while.
- You feel like your profile is stuck in a rut and nothing seems to work.
- You think your account may have been flagged or shadowbanned (although that’s rare).
- You’re okay with starting over and possibly seeing all the same faces again.
If you’re going for a full reset and want to avoid reusing your number, here’s how to create a Hinge account without your personal number, using verified alternatives.
So Which One Should You Choose?
If you still like using Hinge and want to give it another shot, Fresh Start is the safer, easier choice. It gives you a refresh without the stress of rebuilding your entire profile. You get to keep your matches, stay hidden from people you don’t want to see again, and still explore a fresh set of potential matches.
Deleting your account is a more drastic option. It can work — especially if you’re starting over after a long break — but it comes with risks. You might lose good conversations, show up to people you wanted to avoid, or even end up in the same cycle if your profile isn’t improved.
Tips to Make the Most of Fresh Start
So you’ve decided to use Fresh Start — smart move. But if you want to really get the most out of it, it’s not just about hitting reset. You’ve got to do a few things differently this time around.
Here’s how to make it count:
1. Fix Your Profile Before You Reset
Fresh Start is like getting a second chance to make a first impression — don’t waste it with the same profile that didn’t work before.
- Swap in new photos (especially ones that show your face clearly and make you look approachable).
- Rewrite your prompts — go for answers that feel honest, a little playful, and show your personality.
- Add or update your job, school, or location if they’ve changed.
- Get feedback from a friend — or check out subreddits like r/hingeapp for profile reviews.
Think of it this way: Fresh Start clears your history, but you have to give people a reason to swipe right.
2. Use It at the Right Time
Don’t rush into Fresh Start just because you had a slow week. Use it when:
- You’ve been on the app for a while and your likes have dried up
- You’ve made big improvements to your profile
- You’ve moved to a new city or dating pool
- You’re ready to reintroduce yourself in a better light
Expanding your distance or adjusting your preferences before resetting can help you see new faces and not just repeat the same pool of people.
Also keep in mind: You can’t use Fresh Start as often as you like. It’s available once per account, or once every 30 days at most — so don’t waste it on small tweaks.
3. Avoid the Trap of Constant Resets
Some people try to game the system by deleting and remaking their accounts constantly. That can actually backfire.
- Hinge might link your account to your phone number or email, and if they detect too many resets, they could limit your visibility — or worse, ban you.
- You’ll just end up seeing the same people again and again, and they’ll probably notice.
Instead of constantly starting over, focus on improving your profile and your approach. A well-done Fresh Start is more effective than five sloppy resets.
4. Be Active Right After You Reset
Fresh Start gives your profile a boost — so ride the wave.
- Log in regularly
- Send thoughtful likes (not just swipes)
- Respond to messages quickly
- Keep your energy up while the algorithm is paying attention to you
This is the best time to be engaged and intentional. If you ghost the app right after Fresh Start, you’re missing the window of opportunity.
5. Want to Avoid Certain People? Block First
If there’s someone you never want to see again (like an ex or a friend you’d rather not match with), use Hinge’s block contacts feature before you reset.
Fresh Start won’t re-match you with people you’ve blocked or removed — but deleting your account will. So if you’re trying to avoid awkward run-ins, Fresh Start is your best bet.
Is Hinge Fresh Start Worth it?
Hinge’s Fresh Start won’t fix everything — but it’s a smart way to get a second chance without losing your profile or matches.
Remember, dating apps learn from how you use them. Even after a reset, your swipes, messages, and choices still shape what you see.
Fresh Start gives you a clean slate — what you do with it is what really counts.
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