Where to find the friend request button
The friend request button appears on someone's profile page, usually near the top. Open their profile by searching for their name in the Facebook search bar at the top of your screen, or by clicking their name anywhere you see it on Facebook. Once you're on their profile, look for a button that says "Add Friend" — it's typically blue and sits near their profile photo and name.
On mobile, the button location is the same: at the top of their profile. If you're using the Facebook app on your phone, tap their name to open their profile, and you'll see "Add Friend" in the same area. The button may also appear as a person icon with a plus sign if space is tight on your screen.
Key Takeaways
- Search for someone's name using the Facebook search bar, then open their profile to find the "Add Friend" button near their photo and name.
- On mobile devices, the "Add Friend" button is in the same location as on desktop — at the top of their profile.
- Once you send a request, the person receives a notification and can accept, decline, or ignore it.
- You can cancel a pending friend request by visiting their profile again and clicking the button that now says "Cancel Request".
- If someone declines your request, you can send another one later, but Facebook may limit how often you can do this.
What happens after you send the 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 can then choose to accept your request, decline it, or leave it sitting there without responding.
While your request is pending, that person won't see your posts or messages the way a friend would. You also won't see their posts unless they've set their privacy to public. The request stays in their queue until they act on it or until you cancel it.
How to cancel a friend request you've sent
If you change your mind after sending a request, go back to that person's profile. The blue "Add Friend" button will now say "Cancel Request" or show a checkmark. Click it to withdraw your request. The person won't receive a notification that you cancelled it — it will simply disappear from their friend requests.
You can send another request to the same person later, though Facebook may slow down or block repeated requests if you send many in a short time. If someone has declined your request, wait a reasonable amount of time before sending another one.
Finding people to send requests to
Use the Facebook search bar to look for people by name. You can also find people through mutual friends — when you're on someone's profile, scroll down to see their friends list, and you can send requests to people there. Facebook also suggests friend recommendations based on mutual connections, shared schools, or workplaces.
Click on the friend icon (usually a person with a plus sign) in the top navigation menu to see Facebook's suggestions for you. These are people the platform thinks you might know. You can send requests directly from this list without visiting their profiles first.
When the "Add Friend" button doesn't appear
If you don't see an "Add Friend" button on someone's profile, it usually means one of a few things: you're already friends with them, you've already sent them a request that's still pending, or they've blocked you. If you've already sent a request, you'll see "Cancel Request" instead.
Some people also set their privacy so that only friends can see their full profile. In that case, you may see limited information and no "Add Friend" button. Try searching for them again or asking a mutual friend for their profile link.
Privacy and what people can see
When you send a friend request, the person can see your profile picture and name. They can click on your name to view whatever parts of your profile you've set to public. They won't see your posts, photos, or other details until they accept your request and you become friends.
Your own friend requests are private — other people can't see who you've sent requests to. However, once someone accepts your request, you'll both appear in each other's friend lists, which are visible to others unless you've hidden your friends list in your privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone see that I sent them a friend request?
Yes. They'll receive a notification and can see your name and profile picture in their friend requests section. They can view your public profile information by clicking on your name, but they won't see your private posts or messages until they accept.
What if I accidentally sent a request to the wrong person?
Go to their profile and click "Cancel Request" to withdraw it. They won't be notified that you cancelled it. If you sent it to the right person by mistake, you can always send another request later.
How long does a friend request stay pending?
There's no set time limit. A request stays in someone's queue until they accept it, decline it, or you cancel it. Some people may ignore requests for months or years, and it will remain there unless they take action.
Can I send a message with my friend request?
Not directly through the friend request itself. However, once you send a request, you can message them separately if they allow messages from non-friends. Check their privacy settings — some people only accept messages from friends.
What does it mean if someone hasn't responded to my request?
They may not have seen it yet, they may be deciding whether to accept, or they may have chosen to ignore it without declining. You can send a follow-up message if they allow it, or wait and try again later.