The fastest way to add someone on Snapchat

The quickest method is to search for them by username. Open Snapchat, tap the search icon at the top, type their username, and tap their profile when it appears. Then tap "Add Friend" or the plus icon. They'll see your request immediately, and once they accept, you can message and view each other's stories.

If you don't know their exact username, you can add them using their phone number or by scanning their Snapcode — a unique QR code that every Snapchat user has. Both methods work instantly and don't require you to remember usernames.

Keep in mind that adding someone doesn't automatically let you see their private content. Snapchat has privacy settings that let users control who can message them and view their stories, so even after you're friends, some content might stay hidden until they adjust their settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Search by username is the most direct method: open the search tab, type their name, and tap "Add Friend" on their profile.
  • You can add someone using their phone number if you have it, and they'll receive the request the same way as a username search.
  • Snapcodes are QR codes unique to each user that let you add them by pointing your camera at the code or uploading a photo of it.
  • Being added as a friend doesn't override someone's privacy settings, so they may still block your messages or hide their stories from you.

Adding someone by searching their username

This is the standard method most people use. Tap the search icon (a magnifying glass) at the top of the main camera screen. Type the person's username exactly as they have it set — usernames are case-sensitive in the search results, though Snapchat will show close matches if you're slightly off.

Once their profile appears, you'll see their username, display name, and a preview of their public story if they have one. Tap the plus icon or "Add Friend" button next to their name. The request goes through immediately, and they'll see it in their "Added Me" section under Friends.

If the person has a common name and multiple accounts show up, check their display name and profile picture to make sure you're adding the right person. Snapchat shows a small number next to each result indicating how many mutual friends you have, which can help you confirm you've found the right account.

Adding someone using their phone number

If you have someone's phone number but don't know their Snapchat username, you can add them directly through their number. Go to the search tab, tap "Add by Phone Number," and enter their number in the format it appears in your phone's contacts.

Snapchat will search its database for an account linked to that number. If the person has connected their phone number to their Snapchat account, their profile will appear and you can send a friend request. This method only works if they've added their phone number to their account settings — many users skip this step, so the search may return no results even if they use Snapchat.

The person won't be notified that you searched for them by phone number. They'll only see the friend request once you send it, just like a username search.

Using Snapcodes to add friends

A Snapcode is a square QR code unique to each Snapchat user. You can find yours by tapping your profile icon, then tapping the ghost icon in the top left. Every Snapcode links directly to that person's profile, so scanning one is a fast way to add them without typing anything.

To scan someone's Snapcode, open the camera screen and hold down on it for a few seconds. Your phone will activate the camera's QR reader. Point it at their Snapcode — either on their phone screen, printed on a poster, or in a photo — and Snapchat will recognize it and open their profile. Tap "Add Friend" to send the request.

If you have a screenshot or photo of someone's Snapcode saved to your phone, you can also upload it directly. From the camera screen, hold down and tap the gallery icon, then select the image with the Snapcode. Snapchat will scan it and open that person's profile so you can add them.

What happens after you send a friend request

Once you send a request, the other person sees it in their "Added Me" section under the Friends tab. They can accept it, decline it, or ignore it. Until they accept, you won't be able to message them or see their stories — Snapchat keeps pending requests separate from your active friends list.

If someone declines your request, you can send another one later, but Snapchat doesn't notify them of repeat requests. If you want to message someone before they accept, you can still send a message to their username, but it will sit in their "Pending" messages section until they accept your friend request or change their privacy settings to allow messages from non-friends.

Some users set their privacy to "Friends Only," which means only people they've already added can message them. Others allow "Everyone" to message them. You can see which setting someone has by trying to message them — if the message goes through to their main inbox rather than pending, they allow messages from non-friends.

Privacy settings that affect who can add you

By default, anyone can add you on Snapchat. However, you can change this in your settings. Go to your profile, tap the settings icon (gear), scroll to "Who Can..." and tap "Contact Me." You can set it to "Friends Only" so only people you've already added can send you friend requests, or keep it on "Everyone."

You can also control who can see your story, send you messages, and view your location. These settings are separate from your friend list — someone can be your friend but still be blocked from seeing your story or messaging you if you adjust these controls.

If someone adds you and you don't want to be friends, you can delete them from your friends list or block them entirely. Blocking prevents them from finding your account through search, seeing your story, or messaging you. They won't be notified that you blocked them, but they'll notice they can't find your profile anymore.

Troubleshooting when you can't add someone

If you search for someone and their profile doesn't appear, they may have changed their username, deleted their account, or set their privacy to prevent being found through search. Some users also disable "Allow Others to Find Me" in their settings, which hides them from search results even if you know their exact username.

If you're trying to add someone by phone number and it doesn't work, they haven't linked their phone number to their account. Ask them for their username instead, or ask them to add you first — once they send you a request, you can accept it without needing to search for them.

If you've been blocked by someone, you won't be able to search for them, message them, or see their profile. If you think you've been blocked, try searching for their username from a different account or asking a mutual friend if they can still find them. If the account exists but you can't find it, you've likely been blocked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I searched for them on Snapchat?

No. Searching for someone's profile doesn't notify them. They only see that you've added them once you send a friend request. You can search for as many people as you want without anyone knowing.

What's the difference between adding someone and being their friend?

Adding someone sends them a request. Once they accept, you're officially friends and can message each other and see each other's stories (unless they've hidden their story from you specifically). Until they accept, you're not friends yet.

If I add someone, can they see my old messages or stories?

No. Snapchat stories disappear after 24 hours, and messages disappear after you view them (unless you save them). Adding someone only lets them see your content going forward, not anything from before you were friends.

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

Yes. "Private" on Snapchat doesn't prevent people from adding you — it controls who can message you and see your story. You can still send a friend request to anyone unless they've specifically blocked you or disabled search visibility.

What happens if I add someone by mistake and want to undo it?

If they haven't accepted yet, you can delete the pending request by going to your Friends list, finding their name, and swiping left on it. If they've already accepted and you're friends, you can remove them by swiping left on their name and tapping "Remove Friend."