The four ways to add someone on Snapchat

You can add friends on Snapchat in four ways: by username, by scanning their Snapcode (a unique QR-style code), by finding them through your phone's contacts, or by letting Snapchat suggest people based on your existing friends. The method you choose depends on whether you already know the person's username and whether they're nearby.

Each method works equally well and takes less than a minute. If you're adding someone you know in person, scanning their Snapcode is usually fastest. If you're adding someone online, you'll need their exact username. Snapchat doesn't show partial matches, so spelling matters.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add friends by username, Snapcode, phone contacts, or through Snapchat's suggestions based on your existing friends.
  • Usernames are case-insensitive but must be spelled exactly right — Snapchat won't show you partial matches or similar names.
  • Scanning someone's Snapcode with your camera is the fastest way to add them if you're in the same place.
  • Once you send a friend request, the other person must accept it before you can message or see their stories.

Adding someone by username

Open Snapchat and tap the profile icon in the top left corner. Tap "Add Friends" and then tap "Add by Username." Type the person's username exactly as they have it set up. Usernames are case-insensitive, so capitalization doesn't matter, but every letter and number must match.

Once you type the username, Snapchat will show you the account. Tap the "Add" button next to their name. This sends them a friend request. They'll see it in their requests section and can accept or decline. You won't be able to message them or see their stories until they accept.

Scanning a Snapcode to add someone nearby

A Snapcode is Snapchat's version of a QR code — it's a unique image tied to each account. If you're with someone in person, this is the fastest way to add them. Open Snapchat and point your camera at their Snapcode. You'll see a yellow outline appear around it, and a profile card will pop up.

Tap the profile card and then tap "Add Friend." The request goes through immediately. You can find your own Snapcode by opening your profile, tapping your avatar or username, and looking at the code displayed. You can screenshot it and share it, or let people point their camera at your screen.

Adding friends from your phone's contacts

Snapchat can search your phone's contact list for people who already have Snapchat accounts. Open Snapchat, tap the profile icon, tap "Add Friends," and then tap "Add from Contacts." Snapchat will ask permission to access your contacts — you must allow this for the feature to work.

Snapchat will show you a list of people in your contacts who have Snapchat accounts. Tap "Add" next to anyone you want to send a request to. This method is useful if you have someone's phone number saved but don't know their username. Keep in mind that Snapchat only shows contacts who have already set up Snapchat accounts.

Using Snapchat's friend suggestions

Snapchat can suggest people to add based on your existing friends. Open Snapchat, tap the profile icon, tap "Add Friends," and then tap "Suggested Friends." Snapchat shows accounts of people who are friends with your friends. This is how you might discover people you know but haven't added yet.

You can also see suggestions on your Friends screen. Tap the "Add Friends" button that sometimes appears, and Snapchat will show you suggested accounts. Tap "Add" next to anyone you recognize. Remember that these are just suggestions — you're never required to add anyone.

What happens after you send a friend request

When you send a friend request, the other person sees it in their "Added Me" section. They can accept it, decline it, or ignore it. Until they accept, you can't send them messages or see their stories. If they decline, you can send another request later, but Snapchat doesn't notify them again.

Once someone accepts your request, you'll both appear in each other's Friends list. You can then send messages, view their stories, and see when they were last active. If you want to remove someone later, you can swipe left on their name in your Friends list and tap "Remove Friend."

Troubleshooting when you can't find someone

If you're searching by username and can't find the person, the most common reason is a spelling error. Snapchat usernames can include numbers and periods, and they're easy to mistype. Ask the person to confirm their exact username, including capitalization if they use it (though it doesn't affect the search).

Another reason you might not find someone is that their account is private or they've limited who can add them. Some people change their privacy settings so only friends of friends can add them, or so only people in their contacts can find them. If you know the person but can't find their account, ask them to send you their Snapcode or add you instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do people get notified when I send them a friend request?

Yes. They see your request in their "Added Me" section with your username and profile picture. They don't get a notification that pops up on their screen, but they'll see it when they open Snapchat and check their requests.

Can I add someone if they have their account set to private?

It depends on their privacy settings. Some private accounts allow anyone to send requests, while others only allow friends of friends or people in their contacts to add them. If you can't find them, their settings may be blocking the search.

What's the difference between a Snapcode and a username?

A username is text you type to search for someone. A Snapcode is a unique image linked to that account. Scanning the Snapcode is faster if you're in person, but you need the username if you're adding someone online or over text.

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

Yes, you can send another request anytime. Snapchat doesn't limit how many times you can request the same person, but they won't receive a new notification if they've already declined once.

Can I add someone without them knowing?

No. When you send a friend request, they see your username and profile picture in their "Added Me" section. They'll know you tried to add them whether they accept or decline.