The fastest way to add someone on Snapchat

You can add a person on Snapchat in three ways: by their username, by scanning their Snapcode (a unique QR code), or by letting Snapchat suggest friends from your phone contacts. The quickest method depends on whether you already know their username or have their contact information saved.

If you know their exact username, open Snapchat, tap the profile icon in the top left, then tap "Add Friends." Select "Add by Username" and type their name. Tap their profile when it appears and select "Add Friend." They will see your request, and once they accept, you can message and view their stories.

If you do not know their username but have their phone number or email saved in your contacts, Snapchat can find them automatically. Go to Add Friends, select "Find Friends," and allow Snapchat to access your contacts. The app will show you matches from your phone's address book. Tap "Add" next to their name.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add someone by typing their username, scanning their Snapcode with your camera, or finding them through your phone contacts.
  • When you send a friend request, the other person sees it and must accept before you can message them or view their private stories.
  • Snapcodes are unique QR codes that appear on a person's profile — you can scan them with your camera app or Snapchat's camera to add them when ready.
  • If someone declines your request or you change your mind, you can delete the request or remove them from your friends list at any time.

Adding someone by scanning their Snapcode

A Snapcode is a square QR code that belongs to each Snapchat user. It appears on their profile and is the fastest way to add them if you are in the same room or have a photo of their code. Open Snapchat, point your camera at their Snapcode, and hold down on the screen. Snapchat will recognize the code and show you their profile. Tap "Add Friend" to send a request.

You can also scan a Snapcode from a photo. If someone sends you a screenshot of their Snapcode or you find one online, open Snapchat, tap the profile icon, then tap "Add Friends." Select "Scan Snapcode," point your camera at the image on your screen, and hold down. The same profile will appear, and you can add them from there.

Finding friends through your phone contacts

Snapchat can match your phone's contact list to existing Snapchat users. Open the app, tap the profile icon, then "Add Friends." Select "Find Friends" and allow Snapchat to access your contacts when prompted. The app will scan your address book and show you a list of people who already have Snapchat accounts.

Tap "Add" next to anyone you recognize. Snapchat will send them a friend request. This method works best if you have people's phone numbers or email addresses saved in your phone. Note that Snapchat only shows you matches it finds — it does not add anyone automatically.

What happens after you send a friend request

When you add someone, they receive a notification that you sent a request. They can accept, decline, or ignore it. Until they accept, you cannot see their stories, send them messages, or see their location if they share it. You will see "Pending" next to their name in your friends list.

If they accept, you become mutual friends and can message each other and view each other's stories. If they decline, the request disappears and you will need to send a new one if you want to try again later. There is no notification if someone declines your request.

Removing a friend or canceling a request

If you change your mind after sending a request, you can cancel it before they respond. Go to your friends list, find their name, swipe left on it (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android), and select "Remove Friend" or "Cancel Request." The request will disappear from their notifications.

If someone is already your friend and you want to remove them, the process is the same. Swipe or long-press their name and select "Remove Friend." They will not receive a notification that you removed them, but they will no longer see your stories or be able to message you unless you add them again.

Privacy settings for who can add you

By default, anyone can send you a friend request on Snapchat. If you want to limit who can add you, open your profile, tap the settings icon (gear), scroll to "Who Can..." and select "Contact Me." You can choose "Everyone," "Friends," or "My Friends Only." This controls who sees the option to add you in the first place.

You can also block someone if they keep sending requests or if you do not want them to contact you. Go to their profile, tap the three dots, and select "Block." They will not be able to find you, send you messages, or see your stories. You can unblock them later from your settings if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I viewed their profile before adding them?

No. Snapchat does not notify users when someone visits their profile. The only notification they receive is when you send a friend request. You can look at someone's profile as many times as you want without them knowing.

What if I add someone and they never respond to my request?

Your request will stay pending in their notifications until they respond or you cancel it. There is no time limit — they can accept or decline whenever they want. If you want to remove the request, swipe left on their name in your friends list and select "Cancel Request."

Can I add someone if they have blocked me?

No. If someone has blocked you, you cannot send them a friend request, see their profile, or message them. If you think you have been blocked, try searching for their username. If their profile does not appear, they may have blocked you or deleted their account.

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

No. Adding someone on Snapchat does not share your phone number with them. They only see your username and the information you choose to put on your profile. Your phone number stays private unless you tell them directly.

What is the difference between a friend request and being added?

When you send a friend request, the person must accept it before you become friends. If someone adds you directly (usually through your Snapcode or username), you get a notification and can accept or decline. Either way, you are not friends until both people accept the connection.