One of the first things I wonder when I’m downloading a new app on my phone is, “where else will I be able to use it?” When we’re not tethered to our desktops or laptops (Macs, PCs, you name it), we’re beholden to our smartphones and considering just how important our digital lives have become, it’s no wonder that we want to maximize our app use where we are; take Tinder as an example, give how integral it’s become to the online dating scene. One of the most frequent frustrations that I heard about with Tinder (apart from its ties to Facebook) is how dependent it is on your smartphone. Consider how effective Tinder would be if you’re trying to kick a smartphone addiction. You see what I mean, right?
Thankfully, accessibility across multiple platforms is becoming a more frequent design paradigm for app developers, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t left wanting for some of them. Tinder is a great example, and it’s what we’re going to be all about in this guide. Snapchat is another that Appamatix frequently covers, as is Kik. With a little bit of ingenuity and workaround, however, we’re going to do what the development teams haven’t decided to, yet–bring Tinder to your computer.
There is a compelling argument on the other side of the line, however, and it holds true for anyone that uses Tinder fairly often. You’re far less likely to successfully find a romantic partner if you’re not checking Tinder often, right? If you could use Tinder exclusively on your computer, you probably wouldn’t check in as often as you do on your smartphone. Similarly, you might check your Tinder profile too late, and discover that you’ve missed out on otherwise fruitful connections. All of these and more are reasons that Tinder is sticking to smartphones, and to my ears, they all ring genuine.
Still, that doesn’t mean that users shouldn’t have a variety of options, and so we’re going to tackle this cause as objectively as we can, through 100% legitimate means. We’ll be doing this through the process of emulation. If you’re a regular Appamatix reader, you probably know all about it. If you’re a newbie to the term, then we’ll give you a quick ‘n dirty run down that will have you prepared to proceed with this guide!
It works like this: emulator software uses your computer’s resources to create a virtual environment that simulates another operating system entirely. In this case (and in most cases for mobile apps) we’re going to be using Android. We don’t use iOS, because, to put it bluntly, emulating iOS is a pain in the ass that independent developers and software coders just don’t have time for. Apple’s longstanding design paradigm of only creating software that works on its own hardware makes emulation exceptionally difficult, whereas emulating Google’s Android OS is exceptionally easy.
Given a choice between the two, it’s easy to see why we’re moving towards Android. Don’t fret, however–Mac users can get in on this just as easily as Windows PC users, and through the exact same process.
Finding an Emulator for Tinder
The quality of your Tinder experience on PC or Mac is going to be dependent upon the emulator that you choose. Think of it like picking the right smartphone, since essentially, that’s what your emulator is standing place of.
Of course, we would never leave you hanging in this regard! Listed below are some of our favorite emulator options here at Appamatix, and each of them differs in slight ways that might better suit your needs. Don’t spend too much time worrying about which emulator you’re going to use, however–the whole point of it is to be able to emulate Android apps, and Tinder is going to look just as good in any of these programs.
- Bluestacks is our first recommendation, and that’s mostly because it’s just so popular. It’s used more than any other emulation software online, and if you check out the hosting website, you can see why it might appeal to the contemporary user. It’s flashy, it’s fun, and Android gamers, in particular, are drawn to it. In spite of that trend, it’ll handle Tinder in a pinch, and anything else that you decide to throw at it.
- Next up is Andyroid, which is our “underdog” Android emulator. It doesn’t have a popular following quite as large as Bluestacks’, but it’s no less effective at its task. It has a nice, streamlined interface that I happen to really like, and the handiness of the system tray settings (aptly named “Handy Andy”) allows you to adjust your software on the fly, without needing to boot it up.
- Droid4X is another winner that Appamatix has spent some time with, and it boasts the additional app-based feature that allows you to tether your smartphone to your computer to act as a touchscreen controller. Necessary for Tinder? Absolutely not, but if you’re like me, you might just end up keeping your emulator around for other apps, too.
- If you’re not able to install new software on your Mac or PC, then Manymo is the way to go. It’s a browser-based Android emulator that’s remarkably handy but limited in the amount of use that you can get from it without paying. The free version will allow you to use it 10 times per month, for a limited duration each time. You’ll need to opt in for the $9.99 subscription fee if you want to expand that usage to something more feasible.
Any of the above Android emulators will handle our Tinder tasks, so pick the one that sounds the most appealing to you, and let’s get started! Downloading, installing, and booting up one of these should only take a minute (especially with our convenient links), so knock that part out and we’ll proceed.
Running Tinder on Windows and Mac
Once you open up your emulator, you’ll likely notice that the screen looks remarkably similar to the home screen on an Android device. This bodes well, and if you’ve made it this far, you’re doing everything right!
Before continuing, realize that you’ll need to have a free Google account in order to access and download anything from the Google Play store. This can be done as easily as signing up for a Gmail account, or using one that you already have.
After, go ahead and click your way to the app store and search for Tinder. Since we’re taking the “100% legitimate” road, here, downloading and installing Tinder should be just as easy as if you were doing it on an actual mobile device. You’re still going to need the same login information, of course; there’s no way to circumvent Tinder’s ties to Facebook, and conveniently, if you already have a Tinder account, you should be able to use it to sign in on your emulated version without any problem.
Congratulations! You should now have a fully functional version of Tinder running on your Windows PC or Mac, and the ability to access all of its features (as well as browse your matches) with the relative ease and comfort granted by a larger screen. Keep in mind that Tinder is still meant to be experienced and used on smartphones, and even though you’ve moved it onto your computer, I still recommend using your smartphone as a hub for all of your Tinder activity.
I have one final tip before we wrap up, as well. Even though it’s all kinds of convenient to be able to access Tinder in this way, I recommend that you sign out of the service on one device before signing in on another, whenever you’re switching between computer and smartphone. Dong otherwise isn’t guaranteed to cause errors, but a few users that I’ve spoken with have told me that problems cropped up in their login processes when they did a “double sign in,” whether it was accidental or on-purpose. Just remember how Tinder was meant to be used, and where, and you should be good to go!
Of course, now that you’re emulating Tinder, you might want to give other applications a try as well. Give Snapchat a shot, or even Instagram if you want all of the features that are usually reserved for the smartphone versions of each of these popular apps. Your emulator software will almost always be kept up-to-date with the most recent release of the Android operating system, and you can update your apps the same way that you would on an actual Android device.
Hopefully, you’ve found our little guide quick, easy, and helpful! With a minimal amount of work, it’s fairly simple to get a version of Tinder up and running on your Windows PC or Mac, even though it’s not a version that runs natively on either platform. For now, emulation remains the only way that you can bridge your desktop or laptop with the Tinder experience on your mobile device, and it will remain that way until the developers of the popular app decide otherwise!
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