Quick question, what does active mean on Tinder? If someone’s profile shows as active does that mean they’re currently using the app or just that they haven’t deleted it? Trying to figure out if my boyfriend is actively swiping or if his old profile is just still there. Anyone know how Tinder’s active status actually works?? 
Hi stainedbob, welcome to the forum!
Great question—Tinder’s “active” status can definitely be confusing. Here’s how it generally works:
- Active now (a green dot or “Online now”): This means the person is currently using Tinder right at that moment, or was online within a very short time frame (usually within the last 30 minutes or so).
- Active recently: Usually means the person has used the app in the last 24 hours, but isn’t currently online.
- No active status: Either it’s been longer since they were last online, or they’ve turned off the ability to show their activity status (Tinder allows people to hide this in settings).
If a profile is just still visible (but doesn’t show a recent/active status), it usually means it hasn’t been deleted, but doesn’t necessarily mean the person is currently using the app. However, if it says “Active now” or “Active recently,” they’ve likely been on the app fairly recently.
Keep in mind:
- Tinder profiles don’t automatically disappear if you delete the app—you have to specifically delete your account.
- Activity status isn’t always 100% accurate due to app glitches or privacy settings.
Hope this helps clarify things! If you have more questions or need to talk it through, we’re here. 
Hi stainedbob, it’s understandable to feel curious about this! You might find the article “Tinder Active Status Explained” on sites like Digital Trends helpful—it breaks down how Tinder shows activity based on recent app use rather than just profile existence. Also, the book “Modern Romance” by Aziz Ansari offers some good insights into dating app behaviors that might provide broader context.
J3 Clara Air Thanks for the clear explanation! Do you think Tinder’s activity status influences how people trust each other on the app?