Short for Virtual Private Network, a quality VPN hides your real IP address, so you can anonymously log onto Grindr through an encrypted connection. No one can spy on your online dating life, including advertisers, hackers, web trackers, and other malicious third parties. Based on rigorous tests, I found ExpressVPN is the best for security and speed in 2023. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for yourself without any risk. If you don’t like it, you can request a refund within 30 days with no questions asked. Safely access Grindr with ExpressVPN
3 Easy Steps: How to Use Grindr from the UAE in 2023
The Best VPNs for Grindr in the UAE (Updated January 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Blazing-Fast Speeds and Proven No-Logs Privacy Policy
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for connecting to Grindr in the UAE due to its high-level security and privacy features. Every server connection uses military-grade encryption and has built-in data leak protection, meaning no prying third parties can detect your online activity. I found this makes ExpressVPN ideal for Grindr as it keeps your personal data secure. All of ExpressVPN’s servers run using RAM, which means they can’t physically store any data and are wiped clean on every reboot. This was proven in 2017, when a Turkish ExpressVPN server was seized as part of a criminal investigation but no data was recovered. ExpressVPN has also had its privacy policy independently audited to confirm it never logs user data — making your Grindr connection completely anonymous. Alongside top-tier security and privacy, ExpressVPN has super-fast speeds to make sure you never miss a Grindr message. I tested multiple ExpressVPN servers and found my speeds dropped a tiny 18% on average, even when connecting to servers 15,000km away. These fast speeds are due in part to ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol, designed to minimize speed loss without impacting your data security. With ExpressVPN, you can instantly load and connect with new users on Grindr, stream Netflix in HD quality, torrent, and game online without interruption. The only downside to ExpressVPN is that its iOS app doesn’t have a kill switch. This feature cuts your access to the internet if the VPN connection is interrupted, securing your data. However, given the excellent internet speeds and reliability in Dubai and the UAE, it’s unlikely you’ll need this feature. If you do want the extra layer of security, CyberGhost has a kill switch on all of its apps. I recommend you download ExpressVPN before visiting Dubai and the UAE as you may find the website is blocked when you arrive. If you’re not completely satisfied with the service, you can get a full refund as ExpressVPN is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re outside the UAE, you can ask the customer support team over the 24/7 live chat service. If you’re still in the UAE, just send customer service an email at support@expressvpn.zendesk.com and they’ll arrange your refund. I tested the process myself and it was surprisingly easy. I wasn’t asked to reconsider canceling or to troubleshoot any issues, and I had my money back in just 5 days. Safely access Grindr with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Automatic Kill Switch Encrypts Your Grindr Activities
Key Features: CyberGhost’s Android and iOS apps feature high-level security, making it ideal for using Grindr when you’re traveling to Dubai or the UAE. Every connection supports military-grade encryption and data leak protection, plus CyberGhost features an automatic kill switch on every app. Many VPNs don’t feature an iOS kill switch, putting CyberGhost at an advantage if you want that extra security — ensuring your Grindr activity is protected if your connection is interrupted. CyberGhost also features automatic WiFi protection. I configured this top-tier feature to automatically connect to the nearest CyberGhost server whenever my device detects a new WiFi network. This means you can take your smartphone or tablet anywhere and you won’t be exposed to shady networks without protection. I was pleased to find CyberGhost offers multiple tunneling protocols, including WireGuard. This lightweight protocol helps to keep speeds fast without compromising your security and is less likely to trigger VPN blocks than other protocols. As such, I had no issues connecting to Grindr and could respond to my messages without interruption. My issue with CyberGhost is that it hasn’t undergone an independent security audit like other top-tier VPNs. This would give me peace of mind that its zero-logs policy is accurate, so I could guarantee my Grindr activity is secure and anonymous. However, CyberGhost does use RAM-based servers that cannot store data, so it’s unlikely that your connection information will be logged. I suggest you try CyberGhost with Grindr for yourself to see if it’s the right choice for you. If you change your mind, CyberGhost has a generous 45-day money-back guarantee you can use like a free trial. Once you’re finished with your trip to the UAE, you can contact customer service and get a full refund. When I tested the process myself, I had my money back in my account in less than a week. Safely access Grindr with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — 30+ Servers for Secure Access to Grindr
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) has an enormous global server network, so you’ll always have access to a nearby connection. You won’t have to worry about your data being logged by PIA’s servers, as it has undergone multiple independent audits to confirm it never stores user data. If you want to remain truly anonymous, you can even pay with cryptocurrency or gift cards. Every app has a built-in kill switch, and every server connection uses AES-256-bit encryption as standard. I was also pleased to find PIA offers the secure WireGuard tunneling protocol on its mobile apps. Choosing WireGuard ensures you’ll get the best possible connection speeds. When I configured the WireGuard protocol, I found my speeds were around 10Mbps faster than with OpenVPN or IKEv2. However, PIA is slightly slower than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. Even with the high-speed internet infrastructure in the UAE, I found it took a few seconds longer for Grindr to load and to access my messages. Connecting to a server further away caused a more significant drop in speed, which could cause issues with instant messaging, streaming, or visiting websites. That said, PIA’s prices start at just $2.19 for a 2-year + 2 months plan, making it an affordable monthly VPN option. Given PIA’s low price, you may not mind waiting a few more seconds to access Grindr. I recommend you try PIA with Grindr for yourself, and you can do so risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Safely access Grindr with PIA PIA works on: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more.
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
Key Features: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionA kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlyBuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerFully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. With plans that cost as little as $3.49 per month, it’s easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. To ensure that you’ll really get your money back, I tested NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. Get NordVPN today NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Key Features: Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultDiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)Kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.
You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.05. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Get Surfshark today Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
6. PrivateVPN — Stealth VPN Feature Keeps VPN Activity Anonymous in the UAE
Key Features: All of PrivateVPN’s apps have a Stealth VPN feature that is useful for masking your VPN activity when you’re using Grindr. When it’s switched on, it makes your VPN connection look like regular internet traffic. This makes it harder for third parties to detect your VPN use and keeps your Grindr connections completely anonymous. In terms of connection security, PrivateVPN offers military-grade encryption, data leak protection, and a kill switch to keep your data safe. I ran multiple leak tests and found PrivateVPN kept my data secure within its encrypted tunnels. It’s worth noting PrivateVPN hasn’t had an independent audit of its privacy policy, so you’ll have to trust it won’t log your activity. PrivateVPN is on the smaller side, with a network of only 200 servers — and only 1 server connection in the UAE. This could cause issues at peak traffic times, as a single server can quickly get overloaded and congested with users. As such, you could encounter a speed slowdown or even fail to connect. In my experience, it took no longer than 2 minutes to successfully connect to PrivateVPN. If you want that extra layer of anonymity, PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN feature is worth testing for yourself. The service is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you change your mind then you can easily get a full refund. Safely access Grindr with PrivateVPN PrivateVPN works on: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more.
7. IPVanish — Connect Unlimited Devices at Once to Access Grindr On Every Device You Own
Key Features: IPVanish is one of the only top VPNs to offer unlimited device connections, so you can protect your smartphones, computers, Smart TVs, and more with a single subscription. This is especially convenient for Grindr, as you don’t have to choose which device to protect when accessing the app — you can secure every device at the same time. I was concerned that multiple connections would slow my speed, but IPVanish has excellent speeds. It was only when I connected more than 6 devices at once that I noticed a slight slowdown (I couldn’t stream in HD quality) — but I could still open Grindr, swipe profiles, and respond to messages without interruption. IPVanish keeps your Grindr activity anonymous with AES-256-bit encryption and data leak protection. Unfortunately, there is no kill switch on IPVanish’s iOS app, although one is available for Android users. IPVanish hasn’t yet undergone an independent audit either, so its zero-logs policy hasn’t been confirmed. If this is a concern for you, I suggest choosing a service like ExpressVPN, which is regularly audited to prove its no-logs policy. If you want to secure multiple devices when traveling to the UAE, I suggest you test IPVanish with Grindr yourself risk-free. Getting a refund is easy if you’re not satisfied — just log in to your account, click Subscriptions and Cancel Now. I had my money back in less than an hour. Safely access Grindr with IPVanish IPVanish works on: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, routers, and more.
Comparison Table: Best VPNs for Grindr and the UAE in 2023
Here is a quick overview of the key security features and app availability for the top VPNs for Grindr. Of all the VPNs tested, ExpressVPN is the #1 choice for accessing Grindr in the UAE and worldwide. ExpressVPN has an audited zero-logs policy, top-tier apps for iOS and Android, and has its headquarters in a privacy haven — working together to keep your online activity secure and anonymous.
Detailed Guide: How to Download Grindr on the App Store From Anywhere
If you haven’t downloaded Grindr before your visit to the UAE, you can use the following methods to access the app and your local account while on vacation. Bear in mind that Grindr is blocked in the UAE by law, so you should be cautious — it’s best to download Grindr before you arrive.
Download Grindr from the Apple App Store (iOS)
If you don’t already have an Apple ID to use the App Store, you can create a new one in your home country by following these steps:
Get Grindr from the Google Play Store (Android)
If you need to create a new Google Play account to download Grindr when in the UAE, follow these steps: Safely access Grindr with ExpressVPN
How I Tested and Ranked VPNs for Grindr and the UAE
I tested over 30 services to find the best VPNs in 2023 for accessing Grindr. Each VPN test was based on the following criteria and the services ranked accordingly:
Works with Grindr in the UAE — All of the above VPNs work without issue so you can access Grindr in the UAE. These VPNs also work with other blocked apps like Skype, WhatsApp, and VoIP services. Top-tier security features — Every VPN includes AES-256-bit encryption, data leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to keep your Grindr activity secure and anonymous. No-logs policy — None of the top VPNs keep logs or store user data relating to your online activity, ensuring your privacy when using Grindr. The best VPNs have also undergone a successful independent audit to confirm the zero-logs policy. Fast speeds — It’s essential your VPN can mitigate any speed loss caused by encryption, so Grindr profiles, pictures, and messages are available instantly. Mobile apps — Grindr’s mobile apps are the easiest and most convenient to use, so I made sure every recommended VPN has dedicated apps for iOS and Android.
What’s the best free VPN for Grindr in the UAE?
Unfortunately, the top free VPNs on the market aren’t suitable for using Grindr in the UAE. While they provide a good level of security and privacy, they also have strict limitations that negatively affect your Grindr experience. A handful of server options can make it difficult to connect with LGBTQ+ users in your home country, and data limits only allow a few swipes and private messages before you hit the data cap. If you find a free VPN that promises no restrictions, you should be extremely cautious. Completely free VPNs still have to generate revenue and often make money in shady ways like logging your data and online activity to sell to third-party advertisers. This means your Grindr activity could be exposed, and the UAE is not somewhere you want your private relationships to become public knowledge — all relationships outside of heterosexuality are prohibited. Instead of risking your privacy, I suggest you choose a high-quality VPN with a generous money-back guarantee policy, like CyberGhost. CyberGhost gives all users 45 days to use the service, just like a free trial. This means you can use CyberGhost during your trip to the UAE, and when you get home, you can get a full refund with no questions asked.
Is it safe to use Grindr in Dubai and the UAE?
You should exercise caution when using Grindr in Dubai and the UAE, even when connected through a VPN. A high-quality VPN like the services listed here will keep your connection to Grindr private and anonymous, but it can’t protect the information you share through the app, like photos and instant messages. Grindr’s privacy policy states that it may log messages, including photos or audio messages, so don’t share anything you wouldn’t want to be made public — just in case Grindr ever experiences a data leak. For additional security, I recommend creating your Grindr account using a throwaway email address and only opening the app while connected to your VPN service.
Why isn’t Grindr working in Dubai?
Grindr is blocked in the UAE due to laws that discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals, so you’ll only be able to access your Grindr account with a top-tier VPN. If you’re not connected to a VPN, you won’t be able to use Grindr, create a profile, or chat with other LGBTQ+ users. The use of VPNs is also prohibited, so ensure you download your VPN app and the software is up-to-date before you visit the UAE. If you’re connected to a VPN and Grindr still isn’t working, here are a few tips you can try to fix the issue:
Switch to a different server in the same country. Use an obfuscated server to mask your VPN connection and avoid a VPN block. Change your tunneling protocol — try WireGuard for top speed and security. Contact customer support — while live chat may be blocked, you can still send an email to your VPN’s customer service team.
Are VPNs legal in Dubai and the UAE?
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in Dubai and the UAE. All of the top-rated VPNs for Grindr that are listed here are all legal to have installed on your devices when visiting the UAE. However, it is illegal to use a VPN to access sites and services that are prohibited by UAE law. Gambling sites, adult or pornographic content, and anti-religious sites are blocked, as well as some VoIP services like WhatsApp and Skype, and dating apps like Grindr. If you’re caught using a VPN and engaging in illegal activity, you could be subject to a hefty fine (up to $500,000) or even imprisonment. My team and I don’t condone using a VPN for illegal activity, and these laws change frequently. You must ensure you’re aware of the rules and regulations before using a VPN in Dubai and the UAE. Safely access Grindr with ExpressVPN
Protect Your Grindr Activity With a Top-Tier VPN
The only way to securely access your Grindr account when visiting Dubai and the UAE is with a quality VPN. Of all the VPNs I’ve tested, ExpressVPN emerges as the best choice for safely using Grindr with high-level security features protecting your data and making your activity anonymous. Plus, ExpressVPN’s super-fast speeds mean you can instantly check profiles and messages in your home country with no interruptions. I recommend that you test ExpressVPN’s secure servers and fast speeds for yourself, to make sure it’s right for you. You can test ExpressVPN risk-free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund — I used the live chat to speak with a customer service representative who approved my refund in minutes. Best of all, I had my money back in just 5 days.
