We’ve all been there: you match with someone great, life happens, and suddenly you’re wondering if you’ve blown it. On Hinge, you’re not on a 24-hour countdown. Matches don’t “expire,” but inactive chats do get tucked away after a bit. Here’s exactly how it works now—and how fast you should reply if you actually want that date.
TL;DR
- Hinge matches don’t expire on a timer; they stay until someone unmatches or deletes their profile.
- Inactive chats are automatically hidden after 14 days, and you can unhide them anytime.
- There’s no Bumble-style “message in 24 hours” rule on Hinge.
- New in 2025: “Your Turn Limits” prompt you to reply or close chats before making new matches.
- Best etiquette: respond within 24 hours if you’re interested.
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Does Hinge Have A Time Limit?
Not in the Bumble sense. There’s no rigid countdown to send the first message. The only “timer-ish” behavior is that inactive chats hide after 14 days—they aren’t deleted—and Hinge’s newer “Your Turn Limits” can temporarily slow your swiping if you’ve left too many people waiting. In short: no expiry, just a nudge to be a decent human. If you’ve heard old rumors about Hinge matches expiring in 24 hours, that was a short-lived 2015 feature and doesn’t exist anymore.
How Long Should You Wait To Respond On Hinge?
Philosophically? It depends. Practically? If you’re interested, message within 24 hours. Once a conversation starts, replying sooner keeps momentum strong. The only moves that feel off are bombarding someone who hasn’t replied or pouncing instantly like you’ve been refreshing the app all day. Keep it natural. Also, those “Your Turn Limits” matter now—letting too many people wait can trigger prompts to reply or close chats before matching more. Translation: ghost less, date more.
How Often Should You Respond On Hinge?
Treat it like real life. If you’re mid-banter, replying quickly is normal. If life’s busy, a day is the outer edge before it starts to feel like ghost-adjacent behavior. Remember: after 14 days of no activity, chats get hidden, which makes you look flaky rather than mysterious. Keep momentum if you care; let it go if you don’t.
Getting back to Hinge – we’ve established that you have all the time you like to respond to messages and to new matches, but you have to use your initiative a little.
FAQs
Do Hinge matches expire automatically?
No. Matches don’t expire on a fixed timer; they only disappear if someone unmatches or deletes their profile. Inactive chats just move to Hidden after 14 days.
What is “Your Turn Limits,” and will it block me from matching?
If too many matches are waiting on your reply, Hinge may prompt you to respond or end chats before you can make new connections. It’s designed to cut down on ghosting.
Can I unhide a conversation that went missing?
Yes. Open the chat, tap the three dots, and select Unhide. Any new message from a hidden match also brings the chat back automatically.
Do likes expire on Hinge?
There’s no standard expiration, but visibility can change. For subscribers, Priority Likes get a 7-day boost toward the top of someone’s Likes queue before reverting to normal status.
Is there any benefit to replying within 24 hours?
Yes. Faster replies keep the conversation fresh and increase your chances of meeting in real life. Aim for same-day responses whenever you can.
Why did a like or match vanish?
Common reasons include the other person deleting their profile or unmatching. Hidden chats aren’t gone—just tucked away after 14 days of inactivity.
