Short version: Blued and Finka were pulled from Chinese app stores in November 2025 and can't be relied on. The 2026 traveller stack is Grindr + a foreign-routed eSIM (or VPN), both sorted before you land, with WeChat as the real social backbone once you've met people. No app replaces showing up at a venue.

What happened to Blued

For a decade "just download Blued" was the advice in every China guide — it was the biggest gay app in the world, home-grown and everywhere. That era ended in November 2025, when Blued and Finka (formerly Aloha) were removed from Chinese app stores amid a broader tightening of LGBTQ+ spaces online. Existing installs limped on for a while, but you can't reliably get the app inside China now, and its future is uncertain. Any guide still leading with Blued is out of date — including, frankly, most of the internet. Our dating apps overview tracks the full picture.

The stack that works in 2026

What not to do

Don't sideload Blued APKs from random mirrors — you're handing an unknown build of a location-aware app full access to your phone. Don't buy "China-ready" VPN subscriptions from sellers who message you first. And don't let the apps carry your whole trip: the post-Blued scene has swung back to venues and friend networks, which is honestly more fun. Our guide to meeting gay locals covers how connection works when the grid goes quiet.

A note on discretion

Whatever you use, keep location sharing coarse, be sceptical of profiles that push you to another platform or a specific bar (see the drink-bill scam), and never out anyone. Visibility carries more risk for locals than for you — behave accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Blued still work if I already have it installed?
Sometimes, for now — existing installs weren't remotely wiped. But with the app gone from Chinese stores its user base is draining and its future is uncertain. Plan your trip around Grindr plus a working connection instead.
Is using Grindr in China legal?
Being gay is legal in China and there's no law against having Grindr on your phone. The app is blocked, not banned for users — the same status as Instagram or Google. Millions of people route around the firewall daily; travellers using a VPN or foreign eSIM for personal use are not a enforcement priority.
eSIM or VPN — which should I get?
For most travellers an eSIM is simpler: the data routes outside China natively, so blocked apps just work with no setup. A VPN is cheaper for long stays and works on hotel Wi-Fi too. Belt-and-braces: both. Either way, sort it before you board the plane.
Can I download a VPN after I arrive in China?
Usually not — VPN sites and app-store listings are themselves blocked. This is the single most common way travellers get stuck. Install and test everything at home.
What do gay locals use now?
WeChat, overwhelmingly — group chats, friend introductions, venue networks — plus Grindr among the VPN-savvy in big cities. The scene has become more venue-first and word-of-mouth, which rewards travellers who actually go out.