The basic ways to add someone on Snapchat

You can add people on Snapchat in four main ways: by username, by scanning their Snapcode (a unique QR code), by phone number, or through your phone's contacts. Each method sends them a friend request that they have to accept before you can message or see their stories. Snapchat does not automatically connect you to someone just because you know their number or have them saved in your phone — they have to say yes first.

The fastest method is usually the username. Open Snapchat, tap the profile icon in the top left, then tap "Add Friends." Choose "Add by Username," type their name, and tap the add button. They will get a notification that you sent a request. If you do not know their exact username, you can search for their display name, but the search results may show multiple people, so make sure you have the right person.

Snapcodes work if you are in the same room or if someone shares a screenshot. Have the person show you their Snapcode (it looks like a ghost inside a square), open Snapchat's camera, point it at the code, and hold down on the screen. Snapchat will recognize it and let you add them when ready. This is faster than typing a username and harder to get wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add people by username, Snapcode, phone number, or contacts, but they must accept your request before you are connected.
  • Snapchat can sync with your phone's contacts and suggest people to add, which means the app knows your phone number and your contacts' numbers.
  • When you add someone, they can see your username, display name, and profile picture, and they can message you or view your story depending on your privacy settings.
  • You can block someone after adding them, remove them from your friends list, or set your story to be visible only to certain people instead of everyone.
  • Snapchat stores your friend list and your message history, and this data can be requested by law enforcement or shared with parent company Meta under certain conditions.

Adding people through your phone contacts

Snapchat can scan your phone's contact list and suggest people you might know. To turn this on, go to Settings (the gear icon), scroll to "Contact Me," and toggle "Sync Contacts" on. Snapchat will then upload your phone number and the phone numbers of everyone in your contacts to its servers so it can find matches with other Snapchat users.

This is convenient if you want to find friends quickly, but it means Snapchat now has a copy of your entire contact list. If you later delete the app or turn off contact syncing, Snapchat says it deletes the uploaded numbers, but you have no way to verify that. If you do not want Snapchat to have this information, leave contact syncing off and add people manually by username or Snapcode instead.

What happens when someone accepts your friend request

Once someone accepts your request, they become your friend on Snapchat. They can now see your username, display name, profile picture, and any custom status you have set. They can send you direct messages, and depending on your privacy settings, they may be able to see your stories, your location (if you have location sharing on), or call you.

Your friend can also see when you were last active on Snapchat, unless you turn off "See Me in Search" in your privacy settings. This does not hide your activity from friends who are already connected to you — it only prevents strangers from finding you through search. If you want to hide your activity status from specific people, you have to remove them from your friends list or block them.

Controlling who can see your stories and messages

By default, your story is visible to all your friends. You can change this by opening your profile, tapping the story you want to adjust, and choosing "Story Privacy." Your options are "Everyone," "Friends," or "Custom" (which lets you pick specific people to hide it from or show it to). If you set it to "Custom," you can add or remove individual friends from seeing that particular story.

For direct messages, you can only receive them from people you have added as friends, unless you change your settings. Go to Settings, tap "Who Can Contact Me," and choose "Friends" (the default) or "Everyone." If you choose "Everyone," strangers can message you, but their messages will land in a separate "Pending" inbox that you can ignore or delete without accepting the request.

You can also block someone after adding them. Go to their profile, tap the three dots, and select "Block." A blocked person cannot see your stories, cannot message you, and cannot find you in search. They will not get a notification that you blocked them, but they will notice they can no longer see your profile.

What Snapchat stores about your friends and messages

Snapchat keeps a record of your friend list, your message history, and metadata about your conversations (like when you sent a message and to whom). Snapchat says messages disappear from the recipient's phone after they are read, but the company stores copies of your messages on its servers for a period of time. If you report someone for abuse, Snapchat can retrieve those messages to investigate.

Snapchat is owned by Snap Inc., which is separate from Meta (Facebook's parent company), but Snap shares data with Meta and other third parties under certain conditions. If you are under 18, Snapchat has additional restrictions on how it can use your data, but it still collects information about who you communicate with and how often. You can request a copy of all the data Snapchat has about you by going to Settings, tapping "Account Portal," and selecting "read Your Data."

Removing or blocking friends

If you want to stop being friends with someone, go to your friends list, long-press their name, and tap "Remove Friend." They will not get a notification, but they will notice they can no longer see your profile or message you. If you remove someone, you can add them again later if you change your mind.

Blocking is stronger than removing. A blocked person cannot find you in search, cannot see your profile, and cannot message you. If you block someone and then unblock them, they will not automatically become your friend again — you will have to add them again. Blocking is useful if someone is harassing you or if you want to make sure they cannot contact you at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see that I added them if they do not accept my request?

No. They will get a notification that you sent a friend request, but they cannot see your profile or any of your information until they accept. If they decline your request, you will not get a notification, and you can add them again later.

What if I add someone by phone number and they do not have Snapchat?

Snapchat will not find them. The phone number method only works if that person has already set up a Snapchat account and linked their phone number to it. If they do not have Snapchat, you will see a message saying the number is not registered.

Does adding someone on Snapchat let them see my phone number?

No. They can see your username, display name, and profile picture, but not your phone number. Your phone number stays private unless you share it with them directly in a message or outside of Snapchat.

Can I add someone without them knowing?

They will get a notification that you sent a friend request, so they will know you tried to add them. You cannot add someone silently. If you want to view their profile without connecting, you can search for their username and look at their public information without sending a request.

What is the difference between removing a friend and blocking them?

Removing a friend means you are no longer connected, but they can still find you in search and send you a new friend request. Blocking prevents them from finding you, messaging you, or seeing your profile at all. Blocking is permanent until you unblock them.