The two ways to add someone on Pinterest
Pinterest lets you add friends in two ways: by searching for their username directly, or by uploading your phone contacts. The first method keeps the connection between you and Pinterest. The second method sends your entire contact list to Pinterest's servers, which is why it matters for your privacy.
When you search for someone by username, you type their name into the search bar at the top of the app or website, find their profile, and click "Follow" or the friend icon. That action only tells Pinterest that you want to see their pins. When you use the contacts upload method, you're giving Pinterest access to every phone number and email address stored on your device — not just the person you wanted to add.
Most people don't realize the contacts method uploads your entire address book, not just a single person. This is why the username search is the more private option if you know the person's Pinterest name.
Key Takeaways
- Searching by username only shares your connection with that one person; uploading contacts shares your entire address book with Pinterest.
- Pinterest stores uploaded contacts and may use them to suggest friends to other users who have your number or email in their phone.
- You can revoke contact access in your phone's settings or Pinterest's privacy controls, but contacts already uploaded remain in Pinterest's system.
- Following someone on Pinterest does not automatically let them see your saved pins unless you change your board privacy settings.
What happens when you upload your contacts
When you choose "Find Friends" and select "Upload Contacts," Pinterest asks permission to access your phone's address book. If you grant it, Pinterest receives a copy of every contact — names, phone numbers, email addresses, and any other information you've stored. This happens in the background; you don't see a list of what's being sent.
Pinterest stores these contacts on its servers and cross-references them with other users' contact uploads. If someone else has your phone number or email in their phone and uploads their contacts, Pinterest can tell them you're on the platform. This is how Pinterest generates "People You May Know" suggestions — by matching uploaded contact data across millions of users.
Even if you delete the Pinterest app later, the contacts you uploaded remain in Pinterest's database. Deleting the app does not delete the data Pinterest already received. You would need to go into your account settings and revoke contact access separately, though this does not remove contacts already stored.
How to add a friend using just their username
Open Pinterest and tap the search icon at the bottom of the app (or the magnifying glass at the top on desktop). Type the person's full name or username. Pinterest will show you profile results; tap the one that matches the person you're looking for.
On their profile, you'll see a "Follow" button or a person-with-a-plus icon. Tap it. That's the entire process. You are now following them, which means their pins will appear in your home feed. This method tells Pinterest only that you follow this one person — it does not share any of your contact information.
If you don't know their exact username, ask them directly or look for their profile link on another platform where they've shared it. This takes a few extra seconds but avoids uploading your contacts.
What your friends can see about you
Following someone on Pinterest does not automatically show them your saved pins. Your boards are private by default, which means only you can see what you've saved. If you want a friend to see your pins, you have to change the privacy setting on individual boards from "Secret" or "Private" to "Collaborative" or "Public."
When someone follows you, they can see your public boards and your profile picture, but not your email address, phone number, or any contact information. They also cannot see your saved passwords, payment methods, or browsing history outside of Pinterest.
If you make a board collaborative, anyone you add to it can see and edit the pins on that board. This is useful for planning with friends, but it means those people can add, delete, or rearrange pins without your permission. Only add people to collaborative boards if you trust them with that level of access.
Controlling what data Pinterest collects about your contacts
You can prevent Pinterest from accessing your contacts by denying permission when it asks. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Contacts and make sure Pinterest is toggled off. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Pinterest > Permissions and turn off Contacts.
If you've already uploaded your contacts, you can revoke access in Pinterest's settings. Open the app, tap your profile icon, select Settings, then go to Privacy and Safety > Contact Syncing and toggle it off. This stops future uploads but does not delete contacts already in Pinterest's system.
You can also limit what other platforms share with Pinterest. If you've connected your Facebook, Google, or email account to Pinterest, those platforms may share data with Pinterest for advertising purposes. Check your privacy settings on those platforms to see what's connected and disconnect anything you don't want sharing data.
Why Pinterest wants your contacts
Pinterest collects contacts because they help the platform grow. When Pinterest knows your phone number or email, it can tell you when someone you know joins the platform. It can also show your contacts ads for your pins if you make them public, which encourages them to sign up. For Pinterest, contact data is a growth tool.
Contact data is also valuable to advertisers. If you upload your contacts and then see ads for products, those advertisers may be using contact information to target you more precisely. The more data Pinterest has about who you know and how you're connected to others, the more detailed a profile it can build about your interests and behavior.
This doesn't mean you're doing something wrong by uploading contacts — it's a choice you can make. But it's worth understanding that the convenience of finding friends quickly comes with the trade-off of sharing your entire address book with a company that uses that data for growth and advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone on Pinterest if I don't know their username?
You can ask them directly for their username, or look for a link to their Pinterest profile on their other social media accounts or website. If you use the contact upload method, Pinterest will suggest them if they're in your phone, but this shares your entire address book. The username search is more private if you can find their name.
Do people get notified when I follow them on Pinterest?
No, Pinterest does not send a notification when someone follows you. The person will not know you're following them unless they check their followers list or see your activity on their pins. You can follow someone without them knowing.
What's the difference between following and being friends on Pinterest?
Pinterest uses the word "follow," not "friend." When you follow someone, you see their pins in your feed. There's no mutual friendship requirement — you can follow someone who doesn't follow you back. The platform doesn't have a formal friendship system like Facebook does.
If I delete my Pinterest account, does that remove my uploaded contacts from Pinterest's servers?
Deleting your account removes your profile and boards, but Pinterest may keep your contact data for a period of time as part of their data retention policy. Contact Pinterest's support team directly if you want to request deletion of your contact information specifically.
Can I see who has my phone number in their Pinterest contacts?
No, Pinterest does not show you who has uploaded your contact information. You cannot see which of your contacts have you in their phone or whether they've uploaded that data to Pinterest.