Download and create your account
Splashd is free on the App Store and Google Play. Download it, open it, and tap Create account. There is no waitlist — the app is live now.
Enter your email address or phone number and create a password (minimum 8 characters). You can also sign in with Apple or Google for a faster start.
Verify your email or phone with the code we send you. Codes expire after 10 minutes — check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive within a minute or two.
Choose a username. This is visible to other users on the app. You can change it later in Settings → Account.
Accept the Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, then tap Get started. You're in.
Use a password you haven't used elsewhere. If you ever lose access, email support@splashd.app with your username and registered email address.
Build your profile
Your profile is the first thing other users see. A complete profile — real photo, a short bio, and your tags — gets significantly more views than a blank one. Everything on the profile is optional, but more is better.
Main photo: Add a clear, recent photo where your face is visible. Selfies, outdoor shots, and event photos all work well. You can add up to nine public photos.
Voice intro: Record a short voice intro (up to 30 seconds). This is one of the features that makes Splashd stand out — guys are far more likely to message someone whose voice they've heard.
Bio and headline: Write a line or two about yourself. Be direct and honest — people appreciate it. The headline is limited to 60 characters; use it as a quick hook.
Tags: Choose what you're looking for (dates, relationship, friends, chat, networking, hookups) and any identity or tribe tags that fit. Tags help users filter; accurate ones save everyone time.
Private album: Every user gets a free private album. Add photos here that you only want to share by request. You approve or decline each request individually, and you can revoke access at any time. Splashd never watermarks private photos.
Use recent photos that look like you now, not from three years ago. A bio that mentions one specific interest or quality — “into hiking and awful horror films” — is far more memorable than a list of stats. Be honest about what you're looking for; it sets the right expectations from the start.
Grid view vs. live map
Splashd gives you two ways to browse. Both are free. You can switch between them at any time using the toggle at the top of the Discover tab.
Grid view: A classic tile grid sorted by distance. The closest and most recently active users appear first. Tap any tile to open their full profile. This is the familiar layout you'll recognise from other gay apps.
Live map: A real-time map that plots users by their actual current location — not a rounded “500 ft away” approximation. You can see clusters of guys at bars, parks, gyms, and venues as they check in. Tap a pin to see a preview; tap again to open the full profile.
Distance filters: Use the filter icon (top right) to set a maximum distance. You can also filter by age range, what people are looking for, and verified status — all free.
You control how precisely your location is shared. Go to Settings → Privacy → Location precision and choose between Exact, Approximate (±500m), or Hidden. Hidden mode removes you from the map entirely while keeping you visible in the grid.
Venue check-ins
Venue check-ins are one of Splashd's most distinct features. Gay bars, clubs, gyms, beaches, saunas, and cruising spots appear as location pins on the map. You can see how many users are currently checked in at each venue, and pre-chat before you arrive.
Open the map view. Venues are shown as labelled pins, distinct from individual user pins. Tap a venue to see its profile page: photos, description, current check-ins, and the users who are there.
Tap Check in to mark yourself as present. Your check-in appears on the venue page in real time. You can set your check-in as public, friends-only, or hidden.
Use the venue chat to message anyone checked in before you arrive. This is public to all check-ins at that venue — not a private message. For private conversation, tap a user's profile and send a direct message.
Check out when you leave, or the app will automatically clear your check-in after two hours of inactivity at that location.
Messaging — text, voice, and video
All messaging on Splashd is free. There is no limit on how many conversations you can start, no daily cap on messages, and no subscription required to send voice notes or make video calls.
Starting a conversation: Open any profile and tap Message. You don't need to match first — you can message anyone. Tap the microphone icon to record a voice note instead.
Voice notes: Hold the microphone button to record, release to send. Voice notes can be up to two minutes long. The recipient can listen at 1x or 1.5x speed.
Video calls: Tap the video icon in any conversation to start a one-to-one video call. There is no time limit and no extra charge. Both users need to accept before the call connects.
Photos in chat: Tap the photo icon to share from your gallery, or send a photo from your private album. Shared photos can be set to self-destruct after viewing.
Taps: Not ready to message? Send a Tap — a quick, wordless expression of interest. The recipient can tap back or open a conversation.
A message that references something specific from someone's profile — a photo, their bio, or a shared tag — gets a response far more often than a simple “hey”. Keep it short and genuine. Most conversations start better when there's a concrete question or observation.
Privacy and visibility controls
Splashd gives you fine-grained control over who can see you and what they can see. All privacy features are free.
Visibility modes: Go to Settings → Privacy. Choose Visible (default), Incognito (you can browse but don't appear in others' grids or map), or Hidden (no presence on the app).
Location precision: Set your location to Exact, Approximate (rounded to ±500m), or Hidden. You remain visible in the grid even with location hidden — only the map pin disappears.
Who can message you: Choose Everyone (default), or restrict to only users you have tapped first. You can always block or mute individual users at any time.
Read receipts: Toggle these on or off under Settings → Privacy → Read receipts. Turning them off means others won't see when you have read their messages — but you also won't see when others have read yours.
Blocking: From any profile, tap the three-dot menu and select Block. Blocked users can't see your profile, send you messages, or find you in search. Blocking is immediate and silent.
Splashd never sells your data to advertisers or third parties. Location data is used only to show you nearby users and venue check-ins. You can delete your account and all associated data at any time from Settings → Account → Delete account.
Travel mode — browse anywhere, free
Travel mode lets you set your location to any city in the world and browse that city's grid and map as if you were there. It is completely free on Splashd — no subscription required.
Go to Settings → Location → Travel mode. Search for any city by name.
Tap a city to set it as your travel location. Your profile will show a travel badge so users know you're planning a visit or are visiting remotely.
Browse the grid and map exactly as you would at home. Send messages and start conversations before you arrive.
To return to your real location, go back to Settings → Location → Travel mode and tap Use my real location.
Splashd+ — what it adds, what stays free
Splashd is built around the principle that the most important features should always be free. That means unlimited messaging, voice notes, video calls, private albums, travel mode, venue check-ins, the live map, and basic filters cost nothing and never will.
Splashd+ is an optional subscription that adds a layer of insight and control for users who want it:
Advanced filters: Filter by more detailed attributes — body type, relationship status, pronouns, tribe tags — beyond the basic age and distance filters.
Profile analytics: See who has viewed your profile and when. Free users can see a count of views; Plus subscribers see individual profiles.
No ads: Splashd runs minimal, non-intrusive ads for free users. Splashd+ removes all of them.
Splashd+ can be subscribed to and cancelled at any time from Settings → Subscription. You can find current pricing on the Subscription & Billing help page.
The core experience — browsing, messaging, meeting — is entirely free and always will be. Splashd+ is for users who want more insight and fewer ads, not a gate on the basics.
Still need help?
Our support team is available 24/7. Contact us and we'll get back to you quickly.