What you need to create a Snapchat account

You need three things to set up Snapchat: a phone number or email address, your real name or a username, and a birthdate. Snapchat requires you to be at least 13 years old. The app itself is free to read from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone.

Before you start, decide whether you want to use your phone number or email address. Phone numbers are faster to verify — you'll get a code by text message within seconds. Email takes a few minutes longer but works just as well. Either way, you'll need access to whichever one you choose during setup.

Key Takeaways

  • read Snapchat from your phone's app store, then tap "Sign Up" and enter your name, birthdate, phone number or email, and a password.
  • Snapchat will send you a verification code by text or email — enter it to confirm your account is real.
  • Your username is what other people use to find you, and it cannot be changed once you create it, so choose carefully.
  • After you sign in, go to Settings (the gear icon) and change "Who Can Contact Me" to "Friends" so strangers cannot message you.
  • Turn off location sharing in Settings under "See My Location" unless you want friends to know where you are in real time.

Step-by-step: downloading and signing up

Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone. Search for "Snapchat" and tap the official app — it has a white ghost on a yellow background. Tap "Get" or "Install" and wait for the read to finish. Once it's installed, tap "Open" or find the Snapchat icon on your home screen and tap it.

On the opening screen, you'll see two buttons: "Log In" and "Sign Up". Tap "Sign Up". Enter your first and last name exactly as you want them to appear to your friends. Then enter your birthdate — Snapchat needs this to enforce the 13-year-old minimum. Next, choose whether to sign up with your phone number or email address. If you use your phone number, Snapchat will send a six-digit code by text message. If you use email, the code arrives in your inbox. Enter the code when it arrives, and your account is verified.

Create a password that is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. Write it down somewhere safe — you'll need it if you ever sign out. Tap "Continue" and you're in.

Choosing your username and display name

Your username is permanent. Once you create it, you cannot change it, so take a moment to think it through. Your username is what other people type into the search bar to find you. It can only contain letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and underscores — no spaces or special characters. Snapchat will tell you when ready if the username is already taken.

Your display name is different from your username. The display name is what appears next to your messages and stories, and you can change it anytime. Many people use their real first and last name as their display name, but you can use a nickname or anything else you prefer. This is the name your friends will see most often.

Setting privacy controls before you add friends

Before you start adding friends, change three settings to control who can contact you and what they can see. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. Scroll down to "Who Can..." and you'll see several options.

Tap "Contact Me" and change it from "Everyone" to "Friends". This means only people you've already added can send you messages or snaps. Strangers will not be able to reach you. Next, find "See My Location" and turn it off unless you want your friends to see your real-time location on a map. Many people turn this off entirely and only share their location when they choose to in the moment.

Scroll to "View My Story" and change it to "Friends" if you want only people you've added to see your stories. If you leave it on "Everyone", any Snapchat user can watch your stories even if you don't know them. Your choice depends on how public you want to be.

Adding friends safely

Once your account is set up and your privacy settings are locked down, you can start adding friends. Tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen and choose "Add Friends". You can search by username, phone number, or display name. You can also let Snapchat scan your phone's contacts to find friends who are already on Snapchat, though this shares your contact list with Snapchat's servers.

When you find someone you know, tap their name and select "Add". They'll see a notification that you've added them, but they don't have to add you back right away. Once they add you back, you can message each other and see each other's stories. Do not add people you don't know in real life, even if they seem friendly — this is how scams and unwanted contact start.

Understanding what Snapchat stores about you

Snapchat keeps a record of who you message, when you message them, and what you say — even though messages disappear from the chat after you read them. The company also collects information about your location, the device you use, your contacts, and your browsing behavior. This data is used to show you targeted ads and to improve the app.

You can see and read some of this information yourself. Go to Settings, tap "Username", then scroll down to "Data read". Snapchat will email you a file containing your account information, messages, and other data within a few days. This is a good way to understand what the company knows about you.

If you decide Snapchat is not for you, you can delete your account. Go to Settings, tap "Username", scroll to "Delete Account", and follow the steps. Snapchat will keep your data for 30 days in case you change your mind, then permanently delete it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fake name when I sign up?

Snapchat requires your real name during signup, but your display name — the one friends see — can be anything. Many people use a nickname or shortened version of their real name as their display name instead.

What happens if I forget my password?

On the login screen, tap "Forgot your password?" and enter your username or email address. Snapchat will send you a link to reset it. Click the link and create a new password. If you don't have access to the email address you used to sign up, you may not be able to recover your account.

Can someone find me on Snapchat if they have my phone number?

Yes, if you signed up with your phone number and did not turn off "See Me in Search", other people can find you by searching your number. Go to Settings, tap "Username", and toggle off "See Me in Search" to hide your account from phone number searches.

Is Snapchat safe for teenagers?

Snapchat has safety features, but like any social app, it carries risks. The main dangers are contact from strangers, pressure to share inappropriate photos, and location tracking. Set your privacy controls to "Friends" only, never share your location with people you don't know in real life, and think twice before sending photos or videos to anyone.

Can I have more than one Snapchat account?

Yes, you can create multiple accounts using different phone numbers or email addresses. Each account needs its own username and password. However, Snapchat's terms of service discourage this, so use multiple accounts only if you have a genuine reason.