This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for a UK audience.
In a world where online dating and casual encounters have become the norm, dating can still feel exhausting. Sometimes, just the thought of wearing the right clothes, coming up with clever conversation starters, and going to an actual meeting place can be overwhelming.
No matter what type of meeting you are planning, when it comes to dating, there will always be some kind of effort required. The good news? There is a hole: Sexting.
What is sexting?
Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit images or messages to one or more people via text. Due to its recent rise in popularity, there are now sexting apps and new sexting features on non-dating apps.
What do you need to know about sexting?
Whether you’d like to try sexting or you’re a seasoned pro, there are a few things to keep in mind when downloading and using a new sexting dating app. Sure, there are fewer obstacles when hitting up a new sexting partner compared to finding a long-term lover, but there are rules to follow so that all parties involved feel comfortable. Here are three big ones:
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Mutual respect – Assess the situation and know your audience. Usually, it doesn’t take much more than a few pre-sex texts (or pre-sex messages) to gauge whether someone is interested in getting dirty online with you. Take the time to figure that out before you lead with something dirty and unwanted. AKA, don’t just start throwing people around left and right if they haven’t asked.
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Trust – Respect: Privacy is sacred. The Internet has the awesome power to make fleeting moments permanent. If someone asks you to save something for yourself, do it. While sexting can be easy and fun, it also requires a deep level of trust. If you betray that trust, you ruin everyone.
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Privacy – No app can completely protect your privacy — that’s your job. While there are apps that have some features designed to protect your identity/content, they don’t cover all situations. For example, someone doesn’t have to take a screenshot to take a picture you post. They can easily use another phone or device to capture or record your photos and/or videos. You should always keep this in mind before sending anything that could be dangerous, and do everything you can to make sure you trust the person receiving your messages.
Keep these points in mind when engaging in NSFW messages.
Should you engage in sexting?
Real dating is clearly the best way to get to know someone for a long time, especially if you’re looking for any kind of deep, intimate relationship. And real sex will always be better than sexting. However, sexting is another method that can help you in ways you never imagined.
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Comfort – Whether you’re planning to wine and dine on your date or just get together to socialize, it always takes more effort. For those with busy schedules or those who don’t have the space in their lives (for whatever reason) for a stable in-person relationship, sexting is a saving grace. After all, your desire for sex does not end because you are busy. Sexting allows you to take care of your sexual needs without putting yourself out there.
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Exploring trust and intimacy — Comfort with another person around doesn’t always come naturally to everyone — but choosing to sext allows for a new level of exploration in terms of intimacy and trust. You don’t have to meet the person behind the screen if you don’t want to, but being able to practice feeling vulnerable without any strings attached can be a good lesson in being more open.
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Freedom – As with most behind-the-scenes activities, through sexting, you can release your inhibitions and be free to explore your sexual side. Knowing that there is some barrier between you and the other person may allow you to try out language and ideas that you would not have tested in person.
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Which is fun – I’m asking for a little honesty. A night of sexting is always more fun than endlessly swiping through a dating app and starting the same conversation over and over again. Having the option to open an app on your phone and engage in virtual gaming provides instant gratification and (almost) guaranteed happiness.
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Safety – We touched on the reasons why sexting not completely secure in terms of privacy, but to its credit, sexting offers a safety factor that in-person meetings don’t. Sexting allows you to interact with both people you know and complete strangers without putting yourself in a dangerous or unwanted physical position. Your experience should always be what you want it to be, and with sexting, if it doesn’t go your way, it’s just a matter of closing the app.
The benefits are obvious to all, so why not try?
What makes an app good for sexting?
You’ll want to look for certain features in the app if you plan to send sex messages:
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Ease of use – You don’t want to find yourself in a heated conversation trying to figure out how to attach a photo or voice note. When it comes to sexting, the friendlier the platform, the better. You will want something that works and is fast.
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Privacy features — What happens on a sexting app doesn’t always stay on a sexting app; there are no guarantees that your chats or selfies won’t make a screenshot on someone’s phone. That said, some apps include quick self-destruct features that delete photos and chats after a certain amount of time.
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Safety — If you want a fun night that is not attached to the Internet, it does not matter if the person on the other end of your conversation is verified — but if you want to make sure that you are not catfished or chatting with a bot, consider using an application that connects social media or authenticates users.
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Subscription price versus free features – How much are you willing to pay for the bells and whistles? There are quite a few free apps out there, but if you want something fancier, you can pay a few pounds a month for premium features.
With these factors in mind, you should be ready to choose an app and start sexting. You have this.
What is the best sexting app?
As sexting, naturally, comes many factors to consider (consent and privacy, for example), we’ve selected the best sexting apps to get you started — a great start, that is. We tried to organize something for everyone, so take a look at these options, and choose your favorite.
These are the best sexting apps in 2025.
