The old adage that a picture speaks a thousand words is true in so many cases. Tinder is no exception. If you’ve yet to master how to send pics on Tinder, you’re not alone.
Unfortunately (fortunately?) though, the ability to send a photo directly through chat was removed some time ago. That does limit our options with fresh matches but that’s okay.
In this article, I’m going to cover some of your alternatives as well as a few things to avoid. That way you can stand out above the rest who don’t have any photo game.
How to send pics on Tinder - within Tinder
I’m going to break this down into two parts for clarity. What you can do within the Tinder app as well as your options once you escalate beyond it.
There are some common mistakes that you should avoid as well so let’s take a closer look.
The app itself is very limiting these days (if you are looking for some great alternatives check out our favorite hookup apps). Unfortunately, gentlemen, that’s because we’ve proven that we can’t have nice things.
The sending of unsolicited dick pics became so prolific it was forcing a decline in female users. It’s not something I’ve ever been tempted to do and you probably haven’t either.
Regardless, we can learn something from this -- if women want to see a photo of your junk, they’ll ask. Beyond that, we have some options.
Gifs
From amusing Tinder pickup lines and openers to hilarious reactions, gifs are so versatile and can really liven up a conversation.
Sure, you’re limited to the library given to you but you’d be surprised just how many obscure options are there.
Used correctly, they can really help you stand out or emphasize your messages. In fact, one of my favorite openers for matches with a boring profile or those without a good Tinder bio is a dad joke/gif combo. It makes me chuckle and gets a good reaction the vast majority of the time.
Like most things in the world of Tinder messaging, experiment with them and see what works for you. I may not be able to tell you how to send pics on Tinder exactly but this is the next best thing.
Bitmojis
Unlike gifs, Bitmojis were a short fad and they’ve absolutely seen their day. For whatever reason, Tinder has started rolling out the option to use them. On the odd occasion, sending them ironically can be fun.
For most people it’s been a couple of years since we’ve seen one. In the right context and the right timing, they can actually make for a pretty good laugh.
My advice with these is to search through the different options when you’re chatting with someone. Get familiar with what’s available for different scenarios and over time some good combinations will come up.
I would suggest using them sparingly though. Beyond ironic humor, Bitmojis really are a little dated.
Note: You will need Snapchat for this feature to be available.
How to send pics on Tinder - outside of Tinder
Once some conversation has been established and you know she's not leading you on, it’s time to move beyond Tinder. Whether you choose Instagram, Snapchat or text messages mostly depends on your age bracket. Whichever you choose, if you’re trying to figure out how to send pics on Tinder, this is the closest you can get.
While younger matches often prefer Instagram or Snap, older women generally prefer to exchange phone numbers. Personally, this is my preference too -- it’s an easy way to avoid women who use Tinder to gain Insta followers.
Whichever you choose, the rules are the same. Let’s take a look.
Still no unsolicited dick pics. Seriously.
As I mentioned above, these are never okay. I have no idea where the idea came from that all women want to see your genitals but I assure you it’s wrong.
Ironic selfies only
The only reaction I’ve ever heard from women when a guy sends a selfie is laughter. Whether you’re trying to be funny or not, this is probably the reaction you’re going to get too.
They absolutely have their place but for guys, ironic selfies are far more effective than a pouty MySpace pose.
Even if you’re a professional model and know how to take a great photo, male selfies are still a little awkward. Especially when you haven’t met each other just yet and you don't know how to start a Tinder conversation with a photo, it’s not a great decision.
It’s been months since I last sent a selfie to a Tinder match, here’s how it went:
Her: “Okay, I actually laughed at that one. Funny guy.”
Me: “Yeah, I take myself pretty seriously”
[selfie of me in a onesie]Her: “Hahaha I love it! I’m really looking forward to meeting you… but you have to wear the onesie.”
This was entirely situational but designed for a laugh. I happened to be at a dress-up party at that point and it fit with our conversation. For context, of the hundreds of Tinder conversations I’ve had, I’ve sent maybe three selfies ever. All three were funny.
Keep your shirt on
Similar to selfies, women aren’t drooling over your shirtless photos. Even if you are shredded, there are just three reactions I’ve seen from female friends when they receive one:
- “Oh my god, he sent a shirtless photo” [eyeroll]
- “Hahaha he sent a shirtless photo. Why do they think it’s hot?”
- “Ugh, a shirtless photo. We’re done here.”
Just like dick pics, there are some situations where she will actually want a photo of your body. Also just like dick pics, this is very rare so unless she asks, just don’t do it.
The obvious exception to this is if you’re doing something where not having a shirt on is normal. For example, if you’re swimming, nobody expects you to put a shirt on for the photo. Just make it look natural. Standing next to the pool flexing for the photo is arguably worse than a bathroom mirror shot.
Situational photos are your friend
These are a great way to keep the conversation fun. Quite often they can show an interesting glimpse into your life too. This is so much better than just asking a bunch of questions!
What do I mean by situational photos? Take my selfie example above. The conversation and my current situation were very relevant to each other so I sent a photo of it. It was well received and kept our discussion lively.
Similarly, a few months back I was chatting to someone who mentioned her favorite cafe downtown. I happened to be walking to it at that moment. As I arrived, I took a photo of the entrance and sent it with the caption “You mean this place? Never heard of it!”
These situations make up the vast majority of the photos that I send to women on Tinder. More often than not, they’re meant to be funny and they often are.
Use pics to demonstrate who you are
The only other time that I ever send pics to someone from Tinder is if I’m doing something I think they’d enjoy.
My latest example of that was with a match that’s really into hiking. We’d talked about it previously and I’d just finished a hike with amazing views at the summit.
A friend took a great photo of me at the top. I sent her that photo and a couple of others from along the way. She hadn’t done that trail yet and was excited to see what it’s like at the top.
I very rarely do this and only when I know whatever I’m doing is a shared interest. Because it’s a shared interest, it was a great way to start talking to women on Tinder. It also offers her a bit more of a look at who you are and what you get up to. It also helps you get started when you want to flirt with her on Tinder.
That about sums it up. Sending pics on Tinder may not be possible anymore but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Get creative and really have some fun with gifs and Bitmojis within the app. Once you’ve escalated beyond that, you have so many more options at your disposal.
No matter what you’re sending, take a moment to think about how it’ll be received before you do it. Consider her personality and interests and how you think she’s going to respond. Pics can be a lot of fun but you don’t want to ruin your chances for the sake of a cheap laugh, right?
With that said, there is something to be said for disqualifying women that you may not get along with. A good sense of humor is important to me and I’ve definitely unmatched people before when they seem too dry.
If humor is important to you too, her response to a pic that you find hilarious may tell you so much more than you expected.
What do you think? Is there anything I missed in this article when it comes to sending pics on Tinder?
