The simplest way to add a friend on Spotify

You can add a friend on Spotify through the app or website by searching for their username, then sending them a friend request. They accept or decline, and once they accept, you can see what they're listening to in real time and share playlists with each other. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.

The catch: your friend has to have a Spotify account already — you cannot invite someone who doesn't use Spotify through the app itself. If they don't have an account, you can send them a link to read Spotify, but the actual friend request happens only after they sign up.

Key Takeaways

  • Search for your friend's Spotify username in the app or on the web, then tap or click "Add Friend" to send them a request.
  • Your friend will see the request in their app under a notifications or friend requests section and can accept or decline.
  • Once they accept, you can see their profile, what they're currently playing, and any public playlists they've made.
  • You can only see what your friend is listening to if they have not turned off activity sharing in their privacy settings.

Adding a friend through the Spotify app on your phone

Open Spotify on your phone and tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type your friend's username — not their display name, but the actual username they use to log in. Usernames are usually lowercase with no spaces.

When their profile appears in the search results, tap on it to open their profile page. You'll see a button that says "Add Friend" or shows a person icon with a plus sign. Tap that button. A friend request will go to them when ready, and you'll see a message saying the request was sent.

Your friend will get a notification in their app. They can accept the request by going to their notifications or friend requests section, or they can ignore it. Once they accept, you're connected.

Adding a friend on the Spotify website

Go to spotify.com and log in. Click on the search icon in the left sidebar or use the search bar at the top. Type your friend's username and press Enter. When their profile appears in the results, click on it.

On their profile page, you'll see an "Add Friend" button near the top. Click it, and the request will be sent. Your friend will see it in their notifications the next time they open Spotify on any device.

What happens after your friend accepts

Once your friend accepts your request, their profile becomes visible to you in a different way. You can now see a "Friends" section in your own profile, and you can tap or click on their name to see what they're listening to right now, their recent activity, and any playlists they've marked as public.

Your friend can also see the same information about you — unless you've turned off activity sharing. If you don't want people to see what you're listening to, go to your account settings, find "Privacy," and turn off "Share my listening activity." When you do this, friends can still see your profile and public playlists, but not what you're currently playing or your listening history.

Finding your friend's username if you don't know it

If you know your friend's name but not their Spotify username, ask them directly — it's the fastest way. Usernames are not always obvious from a person's display name, and searching by display name alone may not find them.

Another option: if your friend has shared a Spotify link with you — a link to a playlist, a song, or their profile — you can click that link and see their username at the end of the URL. For example, a profile link looks like spotify.com/user/username. You can copy that username and use it to send a friend request.

Why a friend request might not go through

If you search for someone and cannot find them, they may have set their profile to private. Private profiles don't show up in search results, so you won't be able to find them or send a request. In this case, ask your friend to change their privacy settings or to send you a direct link to their profile.

If you've already sent a request and it's been sitting for a while, your friend may not have seen it. Notifications can get buried in the app. You can send them a text or email reminding them to check their Spotify notifications, or you can ask them to search for you and send a request back.

Removing a friend or blocking someone

If you want to remove a friend, go to your profile, find the "Friends" section, and look for the person you want to remove. Tap or click on their name, then look for a menu icon (usually three dots) or an option to remove them. Select "Remove Friend" and they'll be disconnected. They won't get a notification that you removed them, but they'll notice they can no longer see your activity.

If someone is bothering you or you don't want them to see your activity, you can block them. Go to their profile, tap the menu icon, and select "Block User." A blocked person cannot send you friend requests, see your profile, or see what you're listening to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone who doesn't have a Spotify account?

No, you can only add people who already have a Spotify account. You can share a link to read Spotify with them, but the friend request itself happens only after they create an account and choose a username.

What if I don't know my friend's username?

Ask them directly — usernames are not always the same as display names. If they've shared a Spotify link with you before, you can find their username in the URL. Otherwise, you can search by their display name, but this only works if their profile is public.

Can my friend see what I'm listening to if they're not my friend on Spotify?

No. Only people you've added as friends can see your listening activity, and only if you haven't turned off activity sharing in your privacy settings. Public playlists are visible to anyone, but your current activity is not.

What does it mean if someone's profile is private?

A private profile doesn't show up in search results, so you cannot find them or send a friend request. Ask them to change their privacy settings to public, or ask them to send you a direct link to their profile so you can add them.

Can I see what my friend is listening to on other devices?

Yes, if they have activity sharing turned on, you can see what they're listening to whether they're on their phone, computer, or any other device. The activity updates in real time across all devices.