What changed in 2025
For years the standard advice was “download Blued” — it was the largest gay app in the world, built in China. That advice is now out of date. In November 2025, both Blued and Finka (formerly Aloha) were removed from Chinese app stores as part of a wider tightening of LGBTQ+ spaces online. Existing installs may keep working for a while, but you can’t reliably download them inside China, and their future is uncertain. Treat any older guide that tells you to grab Blued on arrival with caution.
What travellers actually use now
Grindr remains the most useful app for visitors — but it’s blocked on Chinese mobile networks, so you need to get around the firewall (below) and, crucially, install it before you arrive. See our full guide to using Grindr in China. Other international apps (Tinder, Hornet) are hit-and-miss and equally dependent on a working connection. Increasingly, the local scene is app-light: a lot of connection happens in venues and through friends, so don’t rely on apps alone — see how to meet gay locals in China.
Getting online behind the firewall
Two reliable routes. A travel eSIM that routes your data outside China is the simplest — the apps just work, with no setup once you land; see our best eSIM for China guide. Or install a VPN before you travel (you usually can’t download one once you’re inside). Either way, sort it at home — our rundown of what’s blocked in China explains why.
Etiquette & safety
Be discreet with location sharing, be wary of unsolicited requests for money or to move to another platform, and never out anyone — visibility carries more risk for locals than for visitors. Our cruising safety guide and is-China-safe guide cover the details.
