Looking for a snuggle? You’ll want Cuddlr, which is like Tinder for hugs

By Andy Boxall Published September 22, 2014

Thought you’d seen the zenith of mobile hook-up apps with Tinder? You haven’t. Meet Cuddlr, which sidesteps Tinder’s seedy reputation by connecting people looking for a nice, innocent cuddle. Yes, in its effort to avoid seediness, Cuddlr has tipped over into slightly weird. The app works in a similar way to Tinder, in that you sign-in using your Facebook account, and can connect to other people near you who just want to snuggle up with someone for a few minutes.

According to the developers, we don’t have enough opportunities to share “safe, consensual, non-scripted, communicative, fun, silly, serious, spontaneous physical affection carrying no further expectation.” Phew, and you thought it was all about getting a quick hug. It turns out Cuddlr stretches the definition of a cuddle quite a bit. Apparently, you can ask to hold hands while shopping, play with each other’s hair, and put your head in their lap too. Obviously, it would be best to check with your fellow cuddlee before doing any of these things.

Recommended Videos

Once you’ve loaded up the app, a selection of prospective, local cuddles are displayed on the main screen. If someone invites you to snuggle up though, don’t expect to reply when you want, because offers expire in 15 minutes. Each Cuddlr user has their own cuddle rating, so you can get an idea if they’re really in if for a quick grope, and a short message or two can be exchanged in-app to fix up a meeting spot.

Cuddlr’s weirdness probably won’t become apparent until you actually get together with someone. Hugging a complete stranger probably sounded like a good idea at first, until you find out their profile picture was taken 15 years ago and before the prison sentence. Still, that’s what Cuddlr’s rating system is for. And the police. However, the promo video makes it all look very sweet.

Don’t expect the app to provide a highly polished experience though, it’s still rather basic and despite the cute icons, isn’t all that attractive. There’s not even a way to change your profile picture yet, which it currently lifts from Facebook. All this aside, if you want to spread some joy through a hug, then Cuddlr is free to download for iOS now, and an Android version is in the works.

Former Senior Mobile Writer

Andy has written about mobile technology for almost a decade. From 2G to 5G and smartphone to smartwatch, Andy knows tech.

Topics

Phones

I picked four wireless chargers so you can stop making your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch fight over one dorm outlet

The best back-to-school wireless chargers for dorm desks, study spaces, and travel

Computer, Electronics, Laptop

A dorm-room desk can disappear surprisingly quickly beneath a laptop charger, phone cable, Apple Watch puck, and the growing collection of adapters required to power them all. Add textbooks and other academic materials, and finding enough room to study becomes the first assignment of the semester.

A wireless charging stand can consolidate several of those cables into one station. It also gives your phone a dedicated place to sit, which helps when you are checking the time or watching a lecture. Every charger here still needs one connection to the wall. So finding a peripheral that works with all of your gadgets isn't just convenient, it's smart. I picked four models ranging from an inexpensive two-device stand to a fast 25W wireless charger capable of powering an entire Apple setup.

Phones

Your backpack needs one of these power banks before classes start

I picked 4 power banks that can survive your longest day on campus

Anker Nano 3-in-1 10,000mAh portable power bank for iPhone.

Finding an empty outlet on campus can require more patience than registering for a popular class. Common spaces like libraries or lecture halls rarely have sockets in the right places. So a good power bank gives you far more freedom. It gives you the option to choose the quiet corner of the library, work outside between classes, or even finish an assignment without worrying about your laptop's battery.

The right model depends on what you carry, since a phone needs far less power than a MacBook or gaming laptop. I picked four Anker power banks that cover everything from everyday phone charging to running several demanding devices at once.

Phones

The Minimal Phone 2 looks dramatically better than the original, and I’m genuinely here for it

Plastic is out, metal is in, and Minimal Phone 2's renders suggest the digital detox phone concept finally has the hardware to match its ambition.

Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone

I've been following the Minimal Phone since its initial crowdfunding days. The first iteration had the right idea trapped inside the wrong body, I’d say. Plastic build, no 5G, an underwhelming camera, and e-paper ghosting that frustrated early adopters; all these issues kept the phone from reaching a wider audience.

Now, founder Armen Youssefian has posted what appears to be a 360-degree render of the Minimal Phone 2 on X, and from what I can see, the team has done its homework.