Apple Removes Two Popular Gay Dating Apps in China: Top LGBTQ+ Dating Apps Disappear from Apple and Android Stores Following Government Order
In November 2025, the Chinese government quietly issued a government order that led to the removal of Blued and Finka, two of China’s most popular gay dating apps, from Apple’s Chinese App Store and several Android app stores. The move has sparked backlash across global tech, human rights, and LGBTQ+ communities, with many viewing it as part of a broader crackdown on online queer spaces.
As the apps have disappeared from app stores in the country, many are asking: Why now? And what does this mean for the future of gay dating apps in China, digital rights, and the companies that operate across countries where we operate under vastly different political ideologies?
Let’s break it all down.
What Are Blued and Finka—and Why Were They Targeted?
Blued and Finka in China were more than just another gay dating app or dating app for gay men. Developed by BlueCity, a tech company based in Beijing, Blued was founded in 2012 and quickly became the leading platform for gay and bisexual men in the country. With over 50 million registered users globally, it expanded beyond dating to include livestreaming, healthcare services, and even an HIV-awareness nonprofit.
Finka, created later and acquired by BlueCity in 2020, appealed to a younger demographic with a social-media-style interface that some compared to WeChat. The developer of Finka positioned the platform as a hybrid of chat, dating, and identity expression for Chinese Gen Z users.
Yet despite their cultural significance, both were taken down from Apple’s App Store and Android stores in November 2025.
Why Did China Order Their Removal?
According to an Apple spokesperson, the company acted “based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China,” which functions as China’s main internet regulator. Apple said in a statement:
“We follow the laws in the countries where we operate. Following an order from the regulator, we have removed two apps from the China storefront only.”
This order from the Cyberspace Administration did not specify the reason for the removal of Blued and Finka, but sources told Wire that it may relate to claims of “pornographic” or “vulgar” content—terms often used by authorities to justify censorship of LGBTQ+ platforms. Notably, this is not the first time this has happened. In 2022, Grindr was also removed from Apple’s Chinese app store under similar circumstances.
The apps Blued and Finka are still available only in China via direct download links from their websites, but not through official app stores in the country. This limits their discoverability and puts users at greater risk when downloading software outside of China’s regulated platforms.
What Does This Crackdown Mean for LGBTQ+ Rights in China?
Although China decriminalized homosexuality in 1997 and removed it from its list of mental disorders in 2001, same-sex marriage remains illegal, and recent years have seen a steady crackdown on LGBTQ+ expression.
From Pride Parades to Platforms—A Shrinking Public Space
The cancellation of Shanghai Pride, the closure of gay rights organizations in China, and the censorship of LGBTQ+ media are all part of this pattern. As prominent gay rights organizations face increasing pressure, the loss of top gay dating apps like Blued and Finka represents a new frontier in this suppression.
Even WeChat, a dominant messaging platform in China, has previously blocked LGBTQ+ university group accounts without explanation. The message is clear: digital spaces that serve gay people and their allies are being squeezed out.
Real Impacts on Real People
A user on the Chinese social platform RedNote described it best:
“These apps like Blued made me feel seen. Now, it feels like I don’t exist.”
With the version of the Blued app restricted and Finka removed, LGBTQ+ Chinese users are left with fewer options to connect, find community, and access support.
Apple and Google Under Fire: Compliance or Complicity?
While Apple and Android platforms claim to simply comply with local law, critics accuse them of abandoning their social responsibilities.
As an Apple spokesperson said, they merely “follow the laws.” But tech watchdogs point out that by doing so, companies like Apple are enabling authoritarian regimes to silence marginalized voices.
It’s especially jarring given Apple’s marketing as an inclusive, pro-LBGTQ brand in Western countries. When Apple removes LGBTQ+ platforms in China but celebrates Pride Month in the U.S., users notice the contradiction.
Are These Apps Gone Forever?
The future of Blued and Finka remains unclear.
Limited Access and Alternative Versions
As of now, a lite version of the Blued app is still available on Chinese app stores, but its functionality is limited. Finka disappearing from the iOS app and store and several Android app platforms raises doubts about its return.
Because these apps were already downloaded by many users, some continue to function—but new downloads are restricted. Reports emerged of users paying up to $20 for secondhand Blued accounts after registration was paused temporarily earlier this year.
Can They Come Back?
Reinstatement is possible if the developers modify the platforms to meet censorship standards. But this could require removing core features or community elements—defeating the purpose of the platforms themselves.
Blued was available globally through a spinoff app called HeeSay, but it too may come under scrutiny depending on China’s future moves.
Global Reactions and Digital Sovereignty
The Chinese embassy in Washington has not commented on the matter, but international groups have voiced concern. LGBTQ+ activists and digital rights organizations warn that China’s actions could encourage other authoritarian governments to demand similar takedowns.
Companies doing business in China face tough choices: respect laws in the countries they operate, or stand up for freedom and rights? Either way, the precedent is dangerous. If governments can issue an order to remove apps that support minority communities, what will stop them from demanding more?
Final Thoughts: A New Era of Censorship in the App Store?
The disappearance of Blued and Finka from the iOS app store and several Android platforms marks more than a regulatory action—it’s a cultural and digital turning point.
As gay dating apps have disappeared from one of the world’s largest markets, it signals a troubling trend where digital spaces are no longer safe havens for marginalized people.
Apps from its app store are increasingly subject to political ideology, not user needs. And for China’s LGBTQ+community, that means fewer platforms, fewer freedoms, and a tougher road ahead.
