Welcome to CruiseCtrl — a privacy-first app for gay, bi and curious men, built in the EU and launching in Dublin. This guide takes you from your first sign-up to your first check-in on Discover.
1. Create your account
Download CruiseCtrl from the App Store or Google Play, or open the web app, and choose Create account. You can sign up with:
- Email — enter a display name, your age, your email address and a password. We send a confirmation email; the link in it is valid for 7 days.
- Phone number — enter your number and the one-time code we text you.
- Google, Apple or Facebook — where these buttons are shown, you can sign in with that account instead. We receive only what the provider shares for sign-in (such as your email address); we never see your password with them.
Your display name is what other members see. It doesn't have to be your real name — a nickname or first name is fine, and you can change it later in Edit profile.
By creating an account you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. GDPR rights apply from the moment your account exists.
2. The 18+ age check
CruiseCtrl is a strictly adult service. During onboarding you're asked to confirm you're 18 or older with a live selfie. This step is mandatory.
- The app explains what is checked and how long the photo is kept, then asks for camera access — only at this step.
- You take one live selfie. It is checked by our age-estimation provider, Sightengine, for an 18+ age estimate. It is not used to identify you.
- You see one of three results: verified, try again, or a short human review by our safety team (usually within a day — nothing else is needed from you).
- The selfie is used only for this check, is never shown on your profile, and is deleted once the decision is made.
If it doesn't pass: try again in good light, facing the camera, with nothing covering your face (no sunglasses or heavy filters). If you believe a review reached the wrong result, email support@cruisectrl.eu. We can't make exceptions to the 18+ requirement.
For the full detail, see our Age Assurance notice and Privacy Policy.
3. Confirm your email
If you signed up with email, open the confirmation message and tap the link. If it hasn't arrived:
- Look in your spam or junk folder and search your inbox for "CruiseCtrl".
- Check the address for typos — you can see and change it later under You → Settings → Account → Email.
- Some work and school mail systems filter automated email. A personal address, or phone sign-up, avoids this.
Still stuck? Email support@cruisectrl.eu.
4. The rest of onboarding
After the age check, onboarding offers three more short steps. Only the age check is required; you can come back to the others any time.
- Check-in — choose what you're open to and be visible to people nearby for a while (see section 6).
- Voice intro — a short recording that plays on your profile. It makes you easier to talk to.
- Photo — your main photo, the public portrait people see first.
You can fill in the rest of your profile under You → Edit profile, which has tabs for Photos, Basics, Voice, Stats, Cruising, Health and Verify. Photo 1 is your public portrait; photos 2–6 show to someone once you have both messaged. Photos and text are reviewed before they appear to others. See Profile & account for every field.
5. Finding your way around
CruiseCtrl has four tabs at the bottom of the screen (a navigation rail on larger screens):
- Discover — people nearby who are checked in, as a portrait grid or on a neighbourhood map. Filter by intention, age, distance, "around now", verified profiles, or hide people you passed on. The header also has Activity (your notifications) and Your visibility.
- Plans — small meet-ups at public places you can join or host, and Right now: who's free in the next hour. See Plans & Right now.
- Chats — your conversations, with search and All / Unread / Favourites / Archived. People who've said hello to you appear in a row at the top. See Chats.
- You — your profile, visibility, favourites, private media, Safe Meet, verification, CruiseCtrl+ and Settings.
6. Your first check-in
You only appear on Discover when you check in. This is deliberate: you're visible when you choose, for as long as you choose.
- Tap Your visibility on Discover (or You → Your visibility) and choose a check-in.
- Pick what you're open to: Cruising, Dates or Plans, and optionally something more specific (coffee, drinks, a walk, just chat…).
- Choose how long: 1, 2, 4, 8 or 24 hours.
- Choose who can see you, review, and tap Start check-in. The app asks for location access once, so people nearby can find you — only an approximate position is ever shown.
Your check-in ends on its own when the time is up, or whenever you tap End check-in. Checking in requires a verified profile. See Discover & check-in for the full guide.
7. The verified badge
The ✓ badge tells others that this person passed the selfie check. You can review your status, and what the badge does and doesn't mean, under You → Verification.
Verification is what unlocks:
- Checking in on Discover.
- Safe Meet — a check-in with a trusted contact before you meet someone. See Safety.
- The verified-only filter on Discover.
- Travel Mode, a CruiseCtrl+ feature (see CruiseCtrl+).
A verification badge doesn't verify anyone's intentions or guarantee safety. See Age Assurance for the technical and legal detail.
Still need a hand? Email support@cruisectrl.eu or use the contact form.
Contact us →