The three ways to add someone on Snapchat

You can add someone on Snapchat by searching their username, scanning their Snapcode (a unique QR code), or letting the app suggest friends from your phone contacts. The fastest method depends on whether you already know their exact username or have their contact information saved.

If you know someone's username, open Snapchat, tap the profile icon in the top left, then tap "Add Friends." Select "Search" and type their username exactly as they created it — usernames are case-sensitive and cannot contain spaces. Tap their name when it appears and select "Add Friend."

If you have their phone number or email address saved in your phone's contacts, Snapchat can find them automatically. Go to "Add Friends," tap "Search," and the app will show you contacts who already use Snapchat. Tap "Add" next to their name.

Key Takeaways

  • Search by username if you know exactly how they spelled it, since usernames are case-sensitive and spaces are not allowed.
  • Scan a Snapcode with your camera if someone shows you their unique QR code in person or sends you a screenshot.
  • Let Snapchat check your phone contacts to find friends who already have accounts, but the app will only show people you already know.
  • When you add someone, they see a notification but do not automatically become your friend until they accept your request.
  • You can add people to a group chat without being friends first, but they must accept your individual friend request to see your Stories.

Scanning a Snapcode to add someone when ready

A Snapcode is Snapchat's version of a QR code — a square image unique to each account. If someone sends you their Snapcode as a screenshot or shows it to you on their phone, you can add them by scanning it.

Open Snapchat and point your camera at the Snapcode. Hold your finger on the screen for one second until the code registers. Snapchat will show you that person's profile, and you can tap "Add Friend" from there. This method works even if you do not know their username.

To share your own Snapcode with someone, open your profile, tap the Snapcode icon (it looks like a ghost with a square pattern), and either screenshot it or let them point their camera at your phone screen.

What happens when you send a friend request

When you add someone, they receive a notification that you sent a friend request. They can accept, decline, or ignore it. Until they accept, you are not officially friends — you cannot see each other's Stories, send messages, or see when the other person is online.

If someone declines your request, you can send another one later, but Snapchat does not notify them a second time. If you want to add them again, send the request and let them decide.

Some people set their accounts to "Private," which means only people they approve can see their Stories or send them messages. If you add a private account and they do not accept, you will not see their content.

Adding people from your phone contacts

Snapchat can scan your phone's contact list and show you which people already have Snapchat accounts. This works only if you have their phone number or email address saved in your phone.

Go to "Add Friends," tap "Search," and select "Contacts." Snapchat will ask permission to access your contacts — you must allow this for the feature to work. The app then shows a list of your contacts who use Snapchat. Tap "Add" next to anyone you want to friend.

Snapchat does not add everyone in your contacts automatically. It only shows people you already know and only if they have set their account to allow contact discovery. If someone has turned off contact matching in their privacy settings, they will not appear in this list even if you have their number saved.

Finding people through group chats and Stories

You can add someone to a group chat without being friends first. Open a group chat, tap the group name at the top, and select "Add Friends." Choose people from your contacts or search by username. They will receive a notification that you added them to the group.

You can also add people by viewing their Stories. If someone's Story appears in your feed (because a mutual friend watched it or because you follow them), tap their name and select "Add Friend" from their profile.

Adding someone to a group chat does not make them your friend automatically. They can see the group conversation, but they cannot see your personal Stories or send you direct messages until they accept your individual friend request.

Controlling who can add you

By default, anyone can add you on Snapchat. If you want to limit who can send you friend requests, you can change your privacy settings.

Open your profile, tap the settings icon (gear), scroll to "Who Can..." and select "Contact Me." Choose "Friends" to allow only people you have already accepted to send you messages, or "Everyone" to keep the default setting. You can also set "View My Story" to "Friends Only" so only people you have accepted can see your Stories.

If someone adds you and you do not want to be friends, you can block them. Go to their profile, tap the three dots, and select "Block." They will not be able to see your Stories, send you messages, or know that you blocked them.

What information is shared when you add someone

When you add someone on Snapchat, they can see your username, display name, profile picture, and any bio you have written. They cannot see your phone number, email address, or location unless you share those separately.

Once you are friends, they can see when you are online (unless you turn off "See Me Online" in settings) and can view your Stories if your privacy settings allow it. They can also see if you have read their messages and when you were last active.

If you add someone through contact matching, Snapchat does not tell them that you have their phone number saved. They only see that you sent them a friend request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone if I do not know their username?

Yes. If you have their phone number or email saved in your contacts, Snapchat can find them. You can also ask them to show you their Snapcode or tell you their username. If none of those work, you can add them through a group chat without being friends first.

What does it mean if someone does not accept my friend request?

They may not have seen it, may not want to be friends, or may have their account set to private. You can send another request later, but Snapchat will not notify them again. If you are friends with someone they know, you could ask that person to introduce you instead.

Can I see someone's Stories if they have not accepted my friend request?

Only if they have set their Stories to "Public." By default, only friends can see your Stories. If someone's Story appears in your feed and you are not friends, they have chosen to share it publicly.

What happens if I add someone by mistake?

You can remove them by going to your friends list, swiping left on their name, and tapping "Remove Friend." They will not be notified that you removed them, but if they try to message you, they will see that you are not friends anymore.

Does Snapchat tell someone when I add them?

Yes, they receive a notification that you sent a friend request. If you scan their Snapcode, they do not get a notification, but they will see you in their friends list once they accept. If you add them through a group chat, they get a notification about the group, not about being added as a friend.