12 Dating Apps That Don’t Require Phone Number

So yeah, a lot of people end up searching “dating apps that don’t require a phone number” for a pretty simple reason. 

You just don’t want to give your number right away. 

Maybe you’ve been burned before. 

Maybe you don’t want random texts. 

Or maybe you just want to see if an app is even worth your time before handing over personal stuff. Totally fair.

But here’s the part no one really says out loud. Most dating apps today will ask for your phone number sooner or later. 

Some do it right at signup. Others let you in with email or Apple ID first, then suddenly ask for SMS when you try to message someone or actually use the app. 

That’s where it gets confusing, because on paper it looks like “no phone number needed,” but in real life… yeah, not exactly.

So instead of pretending there are tons of apps that never ask for a number, this guide keeps it real. 

Below, you’ll see dating apps that actually let you start without a phone number, and then a few popular ones that say you can sign up with email but still end up pushing phone verification pretty quickly. 

No tricks, no weird workarounds — just what actually works right now, so you don’t waste your time.

1. Pure

Why I picked it: It’s one of the very few dating apps that genuinely lets you start without giving your phone number.

Pure comes up again and again whenever people talk about dating apps without phone numbers, and honestly, there’s a reason for that. 

From the start, it’s built around the idea of anonymity. 

You can sign up using just an email or Google account, and you’re not immediately blocked behind an SMS verification screen. 

That alone already puts it ahead of most mainstream dating apps.

The whole vibe of Pure is different too. 

It’s more about short-term connections and being upfront about what you’re looking for, without building a huge public profile tied to your identity. 

Messages disappear, profiles don’t stick around forever, and there’s way less pressure to overshare personal details early on. 

If your main goal is privacy — or you just don’t feel comfortable giving out your number to a dating app right away — this one makes a lot of sense.

That said, it’s not for everyone. 

It’s more casual, more direct, and definitely not designed for slow, traditional dating. 

But if “no phone number at signup” is your top priority, Pure is about as close as it gets.

Also Read: 12 Free Dating Apps

2. Feeld

Why I picked it: You can get started with just an email, and it doesn’t shove phone verification in your face right away.

Feeld is one of those apps people quietly recommend when privacy comes up. 

You won’t always see it in big “best dating apps” lists, but if you actually read Reddit threads or forum discussions, its name pops up a lot — especially when someone says they don’t want to give their phone number on day one. 

And yeah, that checks out.

You can sign up using an email address, set up your profile, and explore the app without immediately hitting an SMS wall. 

It feels slower and more intentional, which honestly helps if you just want to see whether the vibe fits you before committing any personal info. 

The app itself is more open-minded and community-driven, so it attracts people who care less about traditional dating rules and more about comfort and consent.

Will it ever ask for a phone number? Possibly, especially as you become more active. 

But compared to most dating apps, Feeld gives you breathing room first — and for a lot of people, that’s exactly the point.

3. Grindr

Why I picked it: You can create an account using email, and a phone number isn’t mandatory at signup.

Grindr is interesting here because, even though it’s one of the biggest dating apps out there, it still doesn’t force you to hand over your phone number the moment you sign up. 

You can register with an email address, set up your profile, and start browsing without dealing with SMS verification right away. 

For a lot of people, that initial freedom already makes a big difference.

If you dig through Reddit or user forums, you’ll see mixed experiences — some users are never asked for a number, others see a prompt later on as they get more active. 

But the key thing is this: it’s not a hard stop at signup, which is what most people searching this topic actually care about.

Grindr is fast-paced, location-based, and very direct, so it’s not exactly a slow, profile-heavy dating experience. 

But if your goal is to get started without immediately tying your phone number to your account, it still fits this guide honestly — as long as expectations are clear.

Also Read: 12 Best Dating Apps for Young Adults

4. Mingle2

Why I picked it: It still lets you sign up the old-school way — just an email, no phone number required upfront.

Mingle2 feels a bit like a throwback, and in this case, that’s actually a good thing. 

While most modern dating apps have moved hard toward phone-number verification, Mingle2 has kept things pretty simple. 

You can create an account using just your email, set up a profile, and start browsing without being forced into SMS verification right away.

If you read user discussions, people often mention that it’s not the fanciest app out there — and that’s true. 

The design is basic, and the overall experience feels more straightforward than polished. 

But that simplicity is exactly why it works for this list. 

There’s less friction, fewer roadblocks, and way less pressure to hand over personal details early on.

Will it eventually encourage more verification? Maybe. 

But compared to most mainstream apps, Mingle2 gives you a lot more freedom at the start. 

If your main goal is avoiding phone number entry just to test an app, this one still does the job.

Also Read: 11 Best Non-Swipe Dating Apps That Actually Work

5. OneNightFriend

Why I picked it: It’s web-first and lets you get started with just an email, without forcing SMS verification upfront.

OneNightFriend comes up a lot when people specifically ask for dating apps or sites that don’t push phone numbers right away. 

And honestly, that’s mostly because it works more like an old-school dating website than a modern app that wants to lock you into verification from minute one. 

You sign up with an email, set up a basic profile, and you can start browsing without hitting an immediate phone-number wall.

Because it’s more web-based, the whole experience feels lighter and less invasive. 

You’re not constantly nudged to “secure your account” with SMS just to keep clicking around. 

That’s a big reason people looking for privacy or low commitment end up here — especially if they just want to see what’s out there first.

It’s definitely more casual and not built for long, detailed profiles. 

But if your priority is simple access without sharing your phone number right away, OneNightFriend still fits that use case pretty well.

Also Read: 11 Best Dating Apps for Gamers

6. HER

Why I picked it: You can sign up using email or Apple ID, and a phone number isn’t forced right at the start.

HER is one of the better examples of a modern dating app that still gives you a bit of breathing room during signup. 

You can create an account using an email address or Apple ID and actually get into the app without immediately being pushed to verify your phone number. 

For people who are cautious about sharing personal details early on, that already makes it feel less stressful.

If you look through user discussions, a lot of people mention that HER feels more community-focused than most dating apps. 

It’s not just swipe, swipe, done. 

There are events, posts, and conversations, which means you can explore the app and see if it feels right before fully committing. 

That’s usually when people decide whether they’re okay adding more verification or not.

Will it ever ask for a phone number? It might, especially as you get more active. 

But at the signup stage, HER does what many apps don’t anymore — it lets you start without forcing SMS verification right away.

Before moving on, one quick thing worth clearing up. The apps above are the ones that actually let you get started without a phone number, which is what most people are looking for. But if you’ve ever tried a few dating apps before, you’ve probably noticed something else — a lot of popular apps say you can sign up with email or social login, and then still end up asking for your phone number pretty quickly. That’s why the next section exists. It’s not here to recommend those apps, but to show you where the confusion comes from, so you know what to expect and don’t waste time thinking you did something wrong.

7. OkCupid

Why I picked it: It looks like you can sign up with just email, but in real use, phone verification usually shows up pretty quickly.

OkCupid is honestly one of the biggest reasons people get confused about this whole “no phone number” thing. 

On the surface, it feels promising. 

You can start with an email address, set up your profile, answer a bunch of questions, and for a moment it feels like, okay, this might actually work without giving my number.

But once you actually try to use the app properly — like messaging, matching, or staying active — that’s when the phone number prompt tends to appear. 

A lot of users mention this exact experience on Reddit. 

It’s not always instant, but it’s rarely optional for long.

That’s why OkCupid sits in this second section. 

It’s not a bad app, and it’s definitely legit, but it’s also not a true solution if your goal is to avoid phone verification entirely. 

It’s a good example of why people keep searching this topic in the first place — the signup feels flexible, but the reality kicks in soon after.

8. Match

Why I picked it: It allows email-based signup, but phone verification is usually required once you start using key features.

Match has been around forever, so a lot of people assume it’s more relaxed about things like phone numbers. 

And to be fair, at the very beginning, it kind of is. 

You can create an account using your email, fill out your profile, and get past the initial signup without entering a phone number right away.

But once you actually try to do anything meaningful — sending messages, replying to someone, or even staying active — that’s when the phone verification step often shows up. 

A lot of users don’t expect it because the app doesn’t make it super obvious at first, which is why it keeps coming up in “no phone number” searches.

So yeah, Match fits here as an example of an app that starts flexible but doesn’t stay that way for long. 

It’s fine if you just want to explore or set things up, but it’s not a true workaround if avoiding phone numbers is your main goal.

9. Zoosk

Why I picked it: It lets you start with email, but phone verification usually gets pushed once you try to stay active.

Zoosk is another app that sounds good on paper if you’re trying to avoid giving out your phone number. 

You can sign up using an email address, build your profile, and even browse around a bit without immediately hitting an SMS screen. 

That’s usually what makes people think it belongs in the “no phone number” category.

In real use, though, things change pretty quickly. 

As soon as you start messaging, matching, or spending more time on the app, Zoosk tends to nudge — and sometimes outright push — phone verification. 

A lot of users mention this happening after a short while, not necessarily on day one, but definitely sooner than expected.

So while Zoosk technically lets you start without a phone number, it doesn’t fully deliver on that promise long-term. 

It’s included here because it explains the gap between what people expect when they search this topic and what actually happens once they’re inside the app.

Also Read: 11 Best Dating Apps for Professionals

10. Plenty of Fish (POF)

Why I picked it: You can sign up with email, but phone verification usually becomes necessary to actually use the app properly.

Plenty of Fish is another app that often shows up in “no phone number” discussions, mostly because the signup process doesn’t always demand a phone number right away. 

You can create an account with an email, set up your profile, and at first it feels like you’ve avoided the whole SMS thing.

But once you start interacting — sending messages, replying to people, or being active for more than a short time — the phone verification prompts tend to appear. 

A lot of users mention that messaging especially is where POF draws the line. 

Without verifying a number, things can feel limited or blocked.

So while POF technically lets you get your foot in the door without a phone number, it’s not something you can rely on long-term if avoiding SMS is your main goal. 

It’s a classic example of why this keyword keeps confusing people — the signup feels flexible, but real usage tells a different story.

11. Happn

Why I picked it: Social login can get you in, but phone verification usually shows up once you start using the app seriously.

Happn is one of those apps that feels promising at first, especially if you sign up using Apple ID or Facebook. 

In some cases, that lets you get past the initial signup without entering a phone number, which is why people often think it qualifies as a “no phone number” app.

But if you actually stick around and try to use it properly — liking profiles, sending messages, staying active — that’s when the phone number prompts usually start appearing. 

A lot of users report that it doesn’t take very long before SMS verification becomes more or less unavoidable.

So Happn sits firmly in this second section. 

It’s not misleading on purpose, but it does give that short window where it feels phone-free. 

If your goal is to quickly explore and then decide, it might work briefly. 

If your goal is avoiding phone verification altogether, though, it’s probably not the best fit.

12. Badoo

Why I picked it: It allows email or social signup at first, but phone verification usually kicks in once you get active.

Badoo is a good example of how tricky this whole topic really is. 

On the surface, it feels flexible. 

You can sign up using an email address or a social account and get into the app without immediately being asked for your phone number. 

That’s why it keeps popping up in lists and forum answers related to this keyword.

But once you actually start using Badoo — sending messages, matching, or being active for more than a short while — phone verification tends to show up pretty fast. 

A lot of users mention that it’s less of a suggestion and more of a requirement once the app detects regular activity.

So while Badoo technically lets you start without a phone number, it doesn’t stay that way for long. 

It’s included here to be transparent and realistic. 

If you’re just exploring, it might be fine at first. 

But if avoiding phone verification completely is your main goal, this one usually won’t get you very far.

Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to avoid giving out your phone number, you’re not being paranoid — you’re just being careful. 

And honestly, that’s fair. 

Dating apps ask for a lot upfront, and not everyone is comfortable handing over personal info before they even know if an app is worth using.

The reality is, your options are limited — but not zero. 

A few apps still let you get started with just an email or social login, and that’s usually enough for people who just want to test things out or keep a bit of distance at the beginning. 

At the same time, a lot of popular apps talk about email signup but still end up pushing phone verification pretty quickly, which is where most of the frustration comes from.

So if avoiding phone numbers is a deal-breaker, start with the apps in the first section and keep your expectations realistic. 

Things change fast in this space. 

An app that works today might tighten rules tomorrow. 

Go in aware, take it slow, and don’t feel pressured to share more than you’re comfortable with. 

That alone already puts you in control.

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