Apple has removed China’s top gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its App Store in response to a government order, marking another sign of rising pressure on LGBTQ+ platforms in the country.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Apple pulled Blued and Finka from its China App Store after an official order from the Cyberspace Administration of China.
- The apps remain functional for users who had already downloaded them.
- LGBTQ+ platforms in China face increasing scrutiny, with past censorship and shutdowns of rights organizations.
- The removal raises new concerns about digital freedoms and LGBTQ+ visibility under China’s tightening control.
What Happened?
Apple confirmed that it removed Blued and Finka, two of the most popular gay dating apps in China, from the App Store in response to an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s primary internet regulator. The decision follows user reports and social media chatter that the apps had also disappeared from several Android app stores over the weekend.
An Apple spokesperson stated:
Apps Removed as China Tightens Grip on LGBTQ+ Platforms
The sudden removal of Blued and Finka adds to the growing list of LGBTQ+ platforms targeted by Chinese regulators in recent years. Although China decriminalized homosexuality in the 1990s, same-sex marriage remains unrecognized, and digital spaces for the LGBTQ+ community have faced mounting restrictions.
The removal of Blued and Finka marks another setback for China’s marginalized LGBTQ+ community. https://t.co/j3UKFNpt7o
— WIRED (@WIRED) November 10, 2025
- Grindr was previously pulled from Apple’s China App Store in 2022.
- International LGBTQ+ apps are largely inaccessible in the country.
- Chinese authorities have increasingly censored LGBTQ+ content on social media platforms.
In July, Blued suspended new user registrations without explanation. Some users reportedly paid up to $20 for secondhand Blued accounts via ecommerce platforms before registration resumed in August.
Role in Public Health and Government Endorsements
Blued was also involved in public health efforts, especially related to HIV/AIDS awareness. The company’s health-focused app, He Health, provided discreet telehealth and digital pharmacy services for male users seeking treatment for conditions like erectile dysfunction or STIs.
In 2012, Blued received informal government recognition when Ma Baoli met with Li Keqiang, then China’s premier, to discuss HIV prevention. The meeting was viewed as a green light for Blued to continue operations in a sensitive space.
As recently as November 5, BlueCity’s nonprofit arm announced its HIV testing program had been honored as one of the “Best Volunteer Service Projects in the Capital” by Beijing’s Municipal Communist Party Committee.
App Status Unclear Going Forward
It is currently uncertain whether the app removals are permanent or temporary. In some past cases, Chinese apps have returned to app stores after complying with new regulatory requirements. Neither BlueCity nor Newborn Town has issued a public statement regarding the removals.
Daily Research News Takeaway
Honestly, this story hits hard. China’s increasing crackdown on LGBTQ+ platforms, especially digital ones, shows just how fragile visibility and safe spaces can be under strict government control. These apps were not just dating platforms; they were communities, health access points, and often lifelines. Watching Blued, once a symbol of cautious progress, get swept up like this feels like a significant step backward. As someone who tracks tech and rights, it’s painful to see tech giants like Apple caught between business and principles, even if they are following the law. This isn’t just about apps. It’s about the people who depend on them.
