The singer and former One Direction bandmate is opening up about his past relationships and what he’s learned along the way.

In an interview for Nylon magazine‘s May cover story, the former One Direction bandmate opened up about his music, his upcoming album Room Under the Stairs as well as his past relationships.

Malik, who has previously been romantically linked to Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards and Gigi Hadid (whom he shares a daughter with), admitted that he has attempted to use the dating app Tinder, however, it didn’t go as planned.

“It’s not been too successful for me, I’ll be honest,” he said. “Everyone accused me of catfishing. They’re like, ‘What are you using Zayn Malik’s pictures for?’ I’ve been kicked off once or twice.”

Now, the “Dusk Till Dawn” singer isn’t using apps to try and meet people, but rather enjoying this independent chapter in his life. “I’m really content and happy with being single for the first time in my life,” he added.

Malik first started dating Edwards when he was in the popular British boy band One Direction. They were engaged at one point but ultimately split in 2015. Later that year, he started his on-and-off relationship with Hadid, and they welcomed their daughter Khai in 2020. The pair broke up the following year.

“It’s probably wise to take your time before you fully invest in another human being as a lifelong partner,” the “Pillowtalk” singer said, noting that he’s learned a lot about life, relationships and parenthood over the years. “I only have my daughter 50 percent of the time. I would have her 90 percent if I could. We go see Disney on Ice or we go see the Nickelodeon theme park. Or we go to the beach. That’s how I get out.”

Earlier this month, Malik also shared on the Zach Sang Show that he regrets not appreciating his time in One Direction, which launched him and his bandmates Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson into stardom.

“The main thing that I always feel bad about when I look back over my life is not enjoying the band enough,” he explained. “I feel like I just took things too seriously, you know? I’m grateful that I’m able to be happier now. I can actually enjoy things and own my own perspective a bit, you know? Like, glass half full versus it being half empty. That’s my choice.”