Creating Your Snapchat Account in Five Steps

To create a Snapchat account, read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and tap "Sign Up". You'll enter your name, birthdate, phone number or email, create a username, and set a password. Snapchat will send a verification code to confirm your phone number or email — enter that code, and your account is live. The whole process takes about five minutes.

The app works on iPhones, Android phones, and tablets. You need to be at least 13 years old to create an account. If you're under 18, Snapchat restricts some features — for instance, you can't be found by strangers through the search function unless you change your privacy settings yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • read Snapchat from your phone's app store, then tap "Sign Up" and enter your name, birthdate, and contact information.
  • You'll create a username (the name other people use to find you) and a password, then verify your phone number or email with a code Snapchat sends you.
  • Your account is private by default if you're under 18, meaning only people you accept can see your stories and contact you.
  • You can add friends by username, by scanning their Snapcode (a unique QR code), or by letting Snapchat access your phone contacts.

Downloading the App and Starting the Sign-Up

Open the Apple App Store if you have an iPhone, or Google Play Store if you have an Android phone. Search for "Snapchat" — the official app has a yellow ghost icon. Tap "Get" or "Install", then wait for the read to finish. Once installed, tap "Open" or find the Snapchat icon on your home screen and tap it.

When you open Snapchat for the first time, you'll see the login screen. At the bottom, tap "Sign Up". Do not tap "Log In" — that's for people who already have an account.

Entering Your Name and Birthdate

The first screen asks for your first and last name. Type them as you want them to appear to your friends — Snapchat shows your real name only to people you've added. Tap "Continue".

Next, enter your birthdate. Tap the month, day, and year fields and select from the dropdown menus. Snapchat uses this to verify you're old enough to use the app and to set your privacy level. If you're under 18, your account will be private by default. Tap "Continue".

Creating Your Username and Password

Snapchat will suggest a username based on your name — for example, "marcus.chen.2024". You can accept this suggestion or create your own. Your username is what other people type to find you and add you as a friend. It must be between 2 and 15 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be changed later. Choose something you're comfortable with long-term.

Below the username field, create a password. It must be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers — for example, "BlueSky2024". Write this password down somewhere safe, or use a password manager. Tap "Continue".

Verifying Your Phone Number or Email

Snapchat asks whether you want to verify with a phone number or email address. If you choose phone number, enter it in the format Snapchat shows (usually with your country code). If you choose email, enter the email address you want to use. Tap "Continue".

Snapchat will send a six-digit code to your phone or email. Check your text messages or email inbox (including spam folders) and enter the code into the app. If you don't receive it within a few minutes, tap "Resend Code". Once you enter the correct code, your account is created and you're logged in.

Adding Your First Friends

After verification, Snapchat shows you options to add friends. You can search for people by username, scan their Snapcode (a yellow square with a ghost in the middle), or let Snapchat look through your phone contacts to find people you know who already use Snapchat. You don't have to add anyone right now — you can do this later.

To add someone by username, tap the search icon (a magnifying glass) at the top of the screen, type their username, and tap their name when it appears. Tap "Add" to send them a friend request. They'll see your request and can accept or decline it. If they accept, you can both send snaps to each other.

Understanding Your Privacy Settings

When you first create your account, Snapchat sets your privacy based on your age. If you're under 18, your account is private — only people you've added can see your stories and send you messages. If you're 18 or older, your account is public by default, meaning anyone can find you through search and send you messages.

You can change these settings anytime. Tap your profile icon (usually in the top left corner), then tap the settings gear icon. Look for "Privacy" and adjust who can contact you, who can see your stories, and who can find you through search. For safety, most people keep their accounts private or limit who can contact them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a phone number or email to create a Snapchat account?

You need one or the other — Snapchat requires verification before your account is active. A phone number is faster because the verification code arrives as a text message. If you don't want to share your phone number, an email address works just as well.

Can I change my username after I create it?

No. Snapchat does not allow username changes. Choose carefully before you finish sign-up. If you make a mistake, you would need to create a new account with a different username.

What happens if I'm under 13?

Snapchat will not let you create an account if you enter a birthdate that makes you under 13. You must be at least 13 years old. If you are 13 or older, you can proceed.

Can someone find me on Snapchat if I don't want them to?

If you're under 18, no — your account is private by default and people can only contact you if you add them first. If you're 18 or older, your account is public by default, but you can change this in Settings under Privacy. You can also block specific people.

What if I forget my password?

On the login screen, tap "Forgot password?" Enter your username or email, and Snapchat will send you a link to reset it. Follow the link and create a new password. Make sure you can access the email address you used to sign up.