Creating Your Snapchat Account

To make a new Snapchat account, read the Snapchat app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and tap "Sign Up" on the login screen. You will need a valid email address or phone number, your real name, your birthdate, and a username you choose yourself. The app will send a verification code to your email or phone — enter that code to confirm your account is real, and you are done.

The whole process takes about five minutes. Snapchat requires you to be at least 13 years old, and the app will not let you proceed if you enter a birthdate that makes you younger than that. If you are setting up an account for someone else — a teenager, for example — they should do this step themselves rather than you doing it for them, because Snapchat ties the account to the birthdate you enter.

Key Takeaways

  • read Snapchat from your phone's app store, tap "Sign Up", and enter your email or phone number, real name, birthdate, and a username.
  • Snapchat will text or email you a verification code — enter it to confirm your account works.
  • You must be at least 13 years old to create an account, and Snapchat checks the birthdate you provide.
  • Your username is permanent and cannot be changed later, so choose one you are comfortable keeping.
  • After you verify your account, you can add friends by searching their username or scanning their Snapcode.

Choosing a Username You Will Keep

Your Snapchat username is the one permanent thing about your account — you cannot change it later, even if you regret it. Snapchat will suggest usernames based on your name, but you can type any username you want as long as nobody else has already taken it. The app will tell you when ready if a name is taken.

Pick something you will not mind other people seeing and that you will not be embarrassed by in a few years. Usernames with numbers, periods, or underscores are fine. Avoid usernames that include your full real name, your birthdate, or anything that could identify where you live or go to school — that information is safer kept private.

What Information Snapchat Needs From You

Snapchat requires your real first and last name, not a nickname or made-up name. The app uses this to help your real friends find you and to prevent fake accounts. Your birthdate is mandatory because Snapchat has different rules for users under 18 — the app needs to know your age to enforce those rules correctly.

You will also need either an email address or a phone number for account recovery. If you forget your password later, Snapchat will send a reset link to that email or a code to that phone number. Use an email address or phone number that you actually check regularly, because you will need access to it if something goes wrong with your account.

Verifying Your Account After Sign-Up

After you enter your information, Snapchat sends a verification code to the email address or phone number you provided. Open your email or text messages and look for a message from Snapchat with a six-digit code. Go back to the Snapchat app and type that code into the verification screen.

If you do not see the code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes verification emails end up there. If the code still does not arrive, you can ask Snapchat to send it again by tapping "Resend Code" on the verification screen. Once you enter the correct code, your account is live and ready to use.

Adding Friends and Setting Up Your Profile

After verification, Snapchat will ask if you want to add friends. You can search for friends by their username, or if they have shared their Snapcode with you, you can scan it with your camera. You can also let Snapchat look through your phone contacts to find people you know who already have Snapchat accounts — the app will ask permission before it does this.

You can add a profile photo and a bio (a short description of yourself) by tapping your profile icon in the top left corner. Neither of these is required, but adding a photo makes it easier for friends to recognize you. Your profile photo and bio are visible to anyone you are friends with, so keep that in mind when you choose what to share.

Privacy Settings to Review Right Away

Before you start using Snapchat, spend a minute checking who can contact you and see your location. Tap the settings icon (the gear) in the top right corner, then tap "Privacy". From there, you can control who can send you messages, who can see your location, and who can see your stories.

By default, Snapchat lets anyone message you and see your stories. If you want only your friends to message you, change "Contact Me" to "Friends". If you do not want to share your location with anyone, turn off "See My Location". These settings are straightforward to change later if you want to adjust them, so do not worry if you are not sure what you want right now.

What Happens If You Forget Your Password

If you forget your Snapchat password, tap "Forgot your password?" on the login screen. Snapchat will send a reset link to the email address or phone number you used when you signed up. Click that link, create a new password, and you can log back in.

Make sure your password is something only you know — do not use the same password you use for other apps or websites. A strong password has a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. If someone else knows your password, they can log into your account and see your messages and photos, so keep it private.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username after I create my account?

No, Snapchat does not allow you to change your username once you create it. If you really need a different username, you would have to create a brand new account. This is why it is important to think carefully about your username before you sign up.

What if someone else already took the username I want?

If the username is taken, Snapchat will tell you when you try to use it. You can add numbers, periods, or underscores to make a similar username — for example, if "sarah" is taken, you could try "sarah.2024" or "sarah_m". The app will let you know right away if your new choice is available.

Do I have to use my real name on Snapchat?

Yes, Snapchat requires you to enter your real first and last name during sign-up. However, your display name (the name your friends see) can be different from your real name. You can change your display name in settings anytime, but the real name you entered at sign-up stays on file with Snapchat.

Can a child under 13 create a Snapchat account?

No, Snapchat will not let you create an account if you enter a birthdate that makes you under 13. The app checks your age during sign-up and blocks accounts for anyone younger than that. If a child tries to sign up with a false birthdate, they are violating Snapchat's terms of service.

Is it safe to use my real phone number for Snapchat?

Using your real phone number is safe for account recovery purposes — Snapchat needs a way to reach you if your account is hacked or you forget your password. However, you can choose to use an email address instead if you prefer not to share your phone number. Either option works equally well.