Forget ChatGPT ‘Tea’ Is Now the No.1 App on iPhones
In a surprising twist, Tea, an app focused on dating safety for women, has overtaken ChatGPT, Threads, and even Google as the most downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store.
The app is also gaining popularity on the Google Play Store, with over 100,000 downloads and growing fast.
What Is Tea and Why Is It So Popular?
Unlike traditional dating apps, Tea isn’t about swiping or matching. Instead, it allows women to review and rate men they’ve dated—similar to leaving a review on a product.
It helps users:
Run background checks on potential dates.
Check if someone has a criminal record or appears on a sex offender list.
Read other women’s experiences before deciding to meet someone.
In a dating world full of uncertainty, this app gives women a sense of control and security that traditional dating apps often lack.
How It Works
To join Tea, users must verify that they are women by submitting a selfie, helping reduce fake profiles and catfishing scams.
It also acts as a warning platform, helping users avoid uncomfortable or unsafe dating situations by sharing experiences in a community-driven way.
Why It’s Striking a Chord
According to Doug Zytko, a University of Michigan professor who studies online safety, Tea is unique because it prioritizes safety before something goes wrong.
“Most dating apps offer safety tools only after an incident has happened. Tea flips that idea and helps women avoid bad experiences upfront,” he told CBS MoneyWatch.
While similar communities already exist on Facebook groups like “Are We Dating the Same Guy?”, Tea brings all of that together in one app—with scale. The app already claims 1.6 million users.
Some Concerns and Setbacks
Some men have voiced concerns online, especially about false or inaccurate reviews damaging their reputations. Zytko acknowledged that risk, but said it’s not a reason to shut down a platform designed to protect women.
However, Tea was recently hacked, with bad actors gaining access to nearly 60,000 images and old user data, including selfies and DMs uploaded before February 2024. The company confirmed the breach and is now working with cybersecurity experts to secure its platform.
“Tea has engaged third-party experts and is working around the clock to fix the issue,” the company said.
The Bigger Picture
Tea’s rise shows a growing demand for tools that protect users—not just connect them. As dating becomes more digital, safety is becoming just as important as finding a match.
Whether Tea remains on top or not, its success sends a strong message: people want to feel safe when dating, and they’re willing to download an app that puts safety first.