Frequently Asked Questions

Winky is an app for meeting and connecting with people nearby. Discover someone in your area, send a First Hello, and start a conversation if they accept. Whether you hope to make a friend, meet someone special, or expand your network, every connection begins with a simple hello.

The First Hello is the invitation you send to someone you discover nearby. The other person decides whether to accept it. A chat starts only after acceptance.

No. Winky does not use swiping. You can discover nearby users and send a First Hello. The recipient must accept before you can chat.

Open Winky, enter your phone number, and enter the verification code sent to that number. Then choose the name you want to display. You can also add an optional username.

You choose a display name when you register. If you prefer, you can add a username that other users will see instead of your display name. You can edit your details under Profile and Personal info.

Winky is for adults aged 18 and older.

Yes. Under Profile and Personal info, you can add a profile photo, a short bio, an age range, and a gender selection.

Open Discover to see Winky users within your selected radar range who are available to be discovered. Availability depends on their visibility and location settings and whether anyone is nearby.

Yes. Use the distance control to select one of the radar ranges shown in the app: Closest (75 ft), Nearby (300 ft), Walkable (1,000 ft), or Area (half a mile).

Winky uses location to help you discover nearby people. Your exact location is not displayed to other users. You can manage location access and visibility in the app and your phone settings.

There may be no visible Winky users within your chosen range. Check that location access is enabled, review your visibility and radar settings, and try a wider distance. Winky may have fewer users nearby while it is new.

No. Another user can send a First Hello, but they cannot start a chat with you unless you accept it.

Open The First Hello tab to see who has said hello to you. You can review an incoming hello and decide whether to accept it.

Accepting opens a chat so you and the sender can communicate. You can return to previous conversations through History.

After a chat begins, send that person a call request. Once they accept, phone and video controls appear in the conversation. Tap the phone icon for an audio call or the camera icon for a video call. The other person must answer the call before you can speak or see each other. You may also need to allow Winky access to your microphone or camera on your phone.

Yes. Text chats, voice calls, and video calls use end-to-end encryption.

Yes. Open Profile and Visibility to manage whether you appear to other users. You can also review your Location and Privacy & Safety settings.

Use the block option on the person's profile or in a conversation. A blocked person cannot message or call you, and you will no longer appear on each other's radar. You can undo a block in the app.

Use the report option on a profile, in a chat, or from the nearby screen. Reports go to Winky's review queue. If you feel unsafe or face immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

Take your time, avoid sharing sensitive personal details, and choose a public place if you decide to meet. You can block or report anyone whose conduct concerns you.

Open Profile to update Personal info, Visibility, Privacy & Safety, Notifications, and Location. Additional preferences, including appearance, language, and sound, are available in Settings.

Open Profile, tap the Settings icon, scroll to the bottom, and tap Delete account. Deleting the app from your phone alone does not delete your account.

Account deletion removes your account, profile, name, phone number, email, photo, and location history. Messages and calls you already sent remain with the recipients and appear as coming from a deleted user. Winky retains a limited anonymous record for aggregate counts and to help prevent banned users from avoiding restrictions by deleting and re-registering.

In the app, open Profile, then Settings, then Contact us. Enter your email address, choose a topic, and describe your issue. You can also email info@winky.com. Messages sent through the in-app form are emailed to that address and stored in Winky's database.