The simplest way to add a friend on Facebook

To add a friend on Facebook, search for their name in the search bar at the top of your screen, click on their profile, and then click the "Add Friend" button. Facebook will send them a friend request, and once they accept it, you'll be connected. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.

If you've already started typing their name, Facebook will show you suggestions as you type. Click on the person you want to add from that dropdown list, and you'll land on their profile page. Look for the "Add Friend" button — it's usually near the top of their profile, often next to their name or profile picture.

Once you send the request, Facebook notifies them. They'll see your request in their "Friend Requests" section and can accept, decline, or ignore it. Until they accept, you won't see their full profile or posts unless they've made those things public.

Key Takeaways

  • Search for someone's name using the search bar at the top of Facebook, then click "Add Friend" on their profile.
  • Your friend request goes to their notifications, and they can accept, decline, or leave it pending.
  • You can also add friends through mutual friend suggestions, which Facebook shows you on your home feed and profile.
  • If someone declines your request, you can send another one later, but Facebook may limit how often you can do this.
  • Some people have privacy settings that hide their "Add Friend" button or require you to send a message first.

Finding people through mutual friends

Facebook shows you friend suggestions based on people you already know. On your home feed, you'll see a section called "People You May Know" with profile pictures and a button to add them. You can also find suggestions by going to your own profile, clicking "Friends," and then looking for a "Find Friends" or "Add Friends" option.

Another way is to look at your existing friends' friend lists. Click on a friend's profile, go to their "Friends" section, and scroll through. If you see someone you know, you can click their profile and add them from there. This is especially useful if you're trying to reconnect with people from a specific time in your life — like former coworkers or classmates.

What happens when you send a friend request

When you click "Add Friend," Facebook sends a notification to that person. They'll see your name and profile picture in their Friend Requests section. They have three choices: accept the request, decline it, or do nothing (which leaves it pending indefinitely).

While a request is pending, the other person can still see your public posts and information, but you won't see their full profile unless they've made it public. Once they accept, you'll both see each other's posts, photos, and activity based on your privacy settings. If they decline, you can send another request later, though Facebook may slow down how many requests you can send if you send many in a short time.

Adding friends from your phone

The Facebook app on iPhone or Android works the same way as the website. Tap the search icon (usually a magnifying glass) at the bottom of your screen, type the person's name, and tap their profile. Then tap "Add Friend" or the person icon with a plus sign next to their name.

You can also add friends through the "People You May Know" section in the app. Swipe through the suggestions and tap "Add" next to anyone you want to connect with. The app will send the request immediately, just like on a computer.

When you can't find the Add Friend button

If you're looking at someone's profile and don't see an "Add Friend" button, it usually means one of three things: you're already friends with them, they've already sent you a friend request that's still pending, or they've set their privacy settings to limit who can add them.

Some people turn on a setting that requires you to send them a message before you can add them as a friend. In that case, you'll see a "Message" button instead. Click it, write a short message explaining who you are, and send it. They can then decide whether to add you back or just reply to your message.

If you've already sent someone a request and they haven't responded, you can't send another one right away. You'll have to wait for them to decline it or accept it first. If they decline, you can send a new request after a few days or weeks.

Managing friend requests you've sent

To see the friend requests you've sent and haven't received a response to yet, click on your profile picture in the top right corner (on a computer) or tap the menu icon (on your phone). Look for "Friends" or "Friend Requests," and you should see an option to view requests you've sent. This is usually called "Sent Requests" or "Pending Requests."

From there, you can cancel a request if you change your mind. Click or tap the "Cancel Request" button next to the person's name, and the request will be withdrawn. They won't be notified that you cancelled it — it will just disappear from their Friend Requests section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see that I sent them a friend request?

Yes. When you send a request, they get a notification with your name and profile picture. They can see that you sent it, and they can choose to accept, decline, or ignore it. If they decline, you won't be notified — the request will just disappear from their list.

What's the difference between adding a friend and following someone?

Adding a friend means you're connected to each other and can see each other's posts (depending on privacy settings). Following someone means you see their public posts in your feed, but they don't necessarily see yours. You can follow someone without being friends, and some people prefer that.

If someone declines my friend request, can I send another one?

Yes, but Facebook may limit how often you can do this. If you send many requests that get declined, Facebook might temporarily stop you from sending more. It's best to wait a few weeks before sending another request to the same person.

Why does someone's profile say "Add Friend" is not available?

This usually means they've set their privacy settings to limit friend requests, or they've blocked you. Some people also turn on a setting that requires you to message them first before they'll accept a friend request. Check if there's a "Message" button you can use instead.

Do I have to accept every friend request I get?

No. You can decline requests, delete them, or ignore them. If you ignore a request, it stays in your Friend Requests section until you accept or decline it. You can also block someone if you don't want them to contact you at all.