What Is iDates?
iDates has been operating since 2014, serving members worldwide. Alongside a user-friendly web version of the site, they also offer a downloadable application, easily accessible on both the App Store and Google Play Store. iDates is an online dating platform where individuals seek connections with like-minded people, exploring various types of relationships such as thrilling hookups, enjoyable encounters, flirty chats, and, in general, socializing with others who share similar interests. The site invites not just singles but also those in open relationships or anyone who is already attached or married, and regardless of your sexual orientation, you are welcome to join.
The idating site is straightforward to use because of its simple interface. While its search capabilities are somewhat limited, allowing filtering by age range, gender preference, and location, you can still check out profiles locally or easily connect with people from around the globe. Regarding pricing, idates sits in the middle, as it's not too expensive or cheap compared to its competitors, but with some of the cool features it brings to the table, it can still be seen as good value for money.
Today, we're conducting a thorough idates review, providing an in-depth examination of the site's registration process, its complete set of features, pricing details, and various other aspects. If you're contemplating whether iDates is a suitable platform for you, we encourage you to explore the full review provided below.
iDate Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
No Ads
Mobile application available
See who viewed your profile
Variety of users
Weaknesses
No free messages
Fake profiles
Limited search filters
No verification needed
iDates Login Process
Joining iDates is simple, and it offers a free sign-up, where you can complete the registration in just a few minutes. You have the choice to register through Google or Facebook, or you can opt for manual registration by entering the required details:
Your Gender
Preferred Gender
Username and Password
Age
Email address
Accept the Terms and Conditions/Communication Guidelines/Privacy Policy
After your registration, iDates will send you an email for account verification. However, even if you don't confirm it, you can still use the site without any issues. Nevertheless, we still recommend verifying to prevent any potential problems in the future.
Profile Completion
Upon signing up, complete your profile by hovering over the icon in the top right corner and selecting 'My Profile.' The profile page is straightforward, lacking any standout or unusual details compared to competitors. Here, you can add or edit the following:
Username
Your 'about me' section
What you're looking for
What you're interested in
Your body type
If you have kids
Education
Profession
Relationship status
Languages
Height
Smoking habits
Date of Birth
Email address
To make your profile more noticeable and improve your likelihood of finding a match, we always recommend filling in all the details mentioned above and adding a clear profile picture.
User Account Quality
The consistency in the overall quality of users' profiles is sufficient. Most profiles feature multiple photos, and a majority of users also share factual details such as preferences, parental status, height, and other essential information. Regardless of the location, whether in a different town or country, there is a substantial pool of users to explore. However, the matching algorithm appears somewhat less effective, mainly relying on specific search filters like age, location, and gender without providing additional match suggestions.
Given the public visibility of profiles, individuals can acquire information about others before starting conversations, so in our opinion, having all profiles public is a positive aspect. Users can craft a personalized 'about me' section, sharing more details about their interests, personality, and anything else they want to share. The "Facts" section lets users disclose specifics like what they're interested in, languages spoken, and much more, providing a glimpse into their motivations for being on the site. However, adding more details, such as a personality questionnaire, would be helpful for a more in-depth understanding.
Dating Features
The Lucky Wheel
iDate elevates your online dating experience with an engaging 'spin the wheel' feature, allowing you to earn coins. You get one free spin daily, with prizes varying from 5 to 250 free coins and the opportunity to make an extra free spin. It's an excellent feature if you want to gather tokens while exploring other users, ensuring you have additional coins to use when you come across your perfect match.
Gifts
Another noteworthy feature enables you to send virtual gifts to other members. Although it comes at a slightly higher cost than a regular message, it serves as a thoughtful way to show your feelings or to impress someone. You can send an affordable gift, like a teddy bear for 60 coins, or go for a fancier option, such as a bottle of bubbly for 150 coins, or the most expensive choice, a gold heart for 180 coins. The charm of a gift, even virtual, is much appreciated by all users.
GIFS
At times, a basic message doesn't cut it. That's where this unique feature comes in handy. It allows you to send GIFs to convey your feelings or thoughts, injecting a lively and entertaining atmosphere into the chat. It goes beyond the typical text message, and only a few sites provide this feature, making the conversation much more engaging.
Live Chat
The site provides a live chat feature. This option lets users have instant conversations with other members. It is a great tool for improving and making the chat flow more naturally and sometimes skipping the usual wait associated with messages or emails. This feature can lead to faster decision-making and generally offers a more convenient way to maintain continuous conversations with multiple users.
Prices & Costs
iDates works on a freemium model, allowing you to sign up for free. As a free member, you can explore other users' profiles, send likes, and mark them as one of your favorites. However, to start a conversation or respond to another member, you'll need to buy one of their virtual 'coin' packages below:
Basic Package
200 coins + 200 bonus coins - €4.99
Standard Package
400 coins + 400 bonus coins - €9.99
Bestseller Package
1000 coins + 1000 bonus coins - €24.99
Platinum Package
2000 coins + 2000 bonus coins - €49.99
Full Happiness Package
4000 coins + 4000 bonus coins - €99.99
To provide a basic understanding of the coin value, sending a message or GIF requires 50 coins, a virtual kiss costs 30 coins, and sending a virtual gift ranges from 60 to 180 coins, depending on the chosen gift:
Teddy Bear - 60 coins
Cupcake - 70 coins
Dog - 75 coins
Coffee - 80 coins
Love heart - 90 coins
Ice Cream - 90 coins
Cocktail - 100 coins
Diamond - 120 coins
Cake - 130 coins
Champagne - 150 coins
Gold Heart - 180 coins
How Safe Is the iDate Dating Site?
i.Dates appears to be a dating site that emphasizes security and reliability, with a stated commitment to prioritizing user safety. The privacy policy outlines how they store and share user information with third parties, but it also provides the option to request deletion of your data. While our experience on the site was generally trouble-free, there were a couple of red flags that we feel should be brought to attention.
Terms and Conditions
In their terms and conditions, specifically in section 11e, Idates mentions that, apart from the daily new sign-ups, they might have 'professional animators' and operators for entertainment. The worry stems from the fact that meeting these 'operators' isn't an option. This raised concerns for us, as it could mean sharing personal info or spending money on someone who might not be a real person, just makes us feel uneasy about it.
Customer Support
The customer support could be better. While they have a FAQ section addressing various issues, there's no option for live support or a direct number if your question isn't covered. Instead, you have to fill out their contact form and wait for a later response, which isn't ideal, especially if you need an immediate answer. Other sites provide live help so that you can speak to someone in real-time if help is required.
Fake Profiles
Due to its weak verification process, we encountered numerous profiles that raised doubts about their authenticity. This skepticism was heightened by the fact that we received messages even before adding a picture to our profile. The absence of verification checks essentially allows anyone to sign up without needing identification, as long as they have a valid email address, which was a big red flag to us.
Final Thoughts
Our overall impression of iDates is a blend of positive and negative elements. It stands out as a notable site/app for finding dating partners, boasting a large user database that offers options regardless of your location. The idates app usability is excellent, featuring an intuitive and smooth user interface, which always helps make the experience stress-free.
Regarding the credit packages, we observed that they are reasonably priced but not exceptional. Despite designating one package as the 'best seller' and recommended, each package essentially offers the same value. It is advisable to begin with the cheapest package for an initial test, ensuring you stay within your comfort zone. Even after testing the waters, we recommend consistently opting for the most affordable package when topping up. This approach ensures you are not overcommitted, and considering the packages offer equivalent value regardless of the labeled distinctions, it's a no-brainer.
A noteworthy and enjoyable feature is the ability to send GIFs and virtual gifts, adding a personal touch to messages, a feature not commonly found on other sites. Additionally, the daily free spin on the lucky wheel is a positive aspect, providing users a chance to win iDates free coins. It is highly recommended to log in each day to take full advantage.
Yet, there are a couple of downsides, particularly the absence of customer service, which sparks concerns about safety and security. There's also a lingering unease when interacting with other members, leading us to ask the question is idates real? Well, it does seem to be real, but determining whether a user is sincerely seeking connections or is there solely for entertainment purposes adds to the uncertainty. The acknowledgment of using 'professional animators' for entertainment further adds to the uncertainty, creating a challenging environment for users to navigate.
The site is inclusive, welcoming users of any sexual orientation and regardless of relationship status. For open-minded people seeking a good time, whether online or in real-life encounters, idates uk can be recommended. However, if maintaining high confidence in the identity of the person you're interacting with is crucial, it may not be the ideal site for you. We recommend exploring other sites that don't use moderated profiles for entertainment purposes.
FAQ
What Is iDates?
iDates operates as both an online dating site and an app, offering users the opportunity to discover potential matches with like-minded individuals seeking various types of relationships, primarily focusing on hookups and sexual encounters. The platform is open to individuals aged 18 and above, catering to those looking for a good time, whether it be a short-term or long-term connection.
Can I Use i Dates.com For Free?
Signing up for iDates is free, and as a free member, you can browse profiles, read messages, send likes, and add users to your favorites. However, to start a conversation or respond to another member, you'll need to purchase one of their coin packages.
How Do I Contact iDates?
To get in touch with iDates, you need to complete their 'contact form,' which is accessible by clicking on the help/support button located at the bottom of every page. After providing details about your inquiry, you'll have to wait for their response at a later stage.
Is iDates Legit?
iDates appears to be a legitimate dating site with some genuine users. However, the absence of a verification process and the presence of 'animated entertainment' profiles make it challenging to differentiate between genuine users and those who may be fake or simply there for entertainment reasons.
How Do I Report Another Member?
To report another member, follow these steps:
Hover over the 3 bars next to your profile icon in the top right corner.
Click 'report a profile'.
Go to 'contact form.'
Fill in the details required.
Click 'Submit'.
How Do I Block A User?
In order to block another user, follow these steps:
Go to the user's profile.
Click 'Block her/him,' which can be found to the right of their photos.
Confirm by clicking 'Block profile'.
How Do I Delete My iDates Account?
To delete your account via web browser, follow these steps:
Go to ‘my profile’.
Hover over the three gray bars on the right hand side of your name.
Click ‘delete account’.
Confirm you want to delete your account.
Click on the link to confirm deletion.
To delete your account via the app, follow these steps:
Open the app, and switch to the settings section.
Go to the three gray bars, which are located at the top right.
Click ‘delete profile’.
Confirm you want to delete it.
Click the link to confirm deletion.
Do iDates Offer Refunds?
No refund will be provided for unused virtual items in the event of intentional or unintentional account closure. Although each request is made on a case-by-case basis, any refunds made are at the platform's discretion as a gesture of goodwill. Virtual item purchases are considered final and non-refundable.
Do My iDate Credits Expire?
No, your credits do not come with an expiration date. As long as you do not delete your account, your credits will persist on your account until you decide to use them.
What Payment Methods Do iDates Accept?
Purchasing coins via web browser:
Credit or Debit cards
Google Pay
PayPal
Paysafecard
Purchasing coins via the app:
You can only purchase coins using your App Store account. Just connect your credit card or bank account to the App Store.
Payment methods may vary depending on which country you’re in.
Do iDates Offer A Subscription?
Nope. They don't do subscriptions, so there won't be any ongoing costs once you've joined the site. If you fancy chatting with another user, just grab a coin package of your liking. Once they're used up, just top up again when needed.
How Do I Change My Location On iDates?
iDates will automatically pinpoint your location. However, to change your location, follow these steps:
Go to 'My Profile'.
Change location just under your profile name.
Click 'Save'.
