Creating a Snapchat account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number

To start using Snapchat, you need to download the app, open it, and enter your basic information. The process is straightforward: you'll provide your name, birthdate, username, and either an email address or phone number. Snapchat will send you a verification code to confirm you own that email or number, and once you enter it, your account is active and ready to use.

The entire setup happens on your phone — there's no desktop version for creating an account. You'll need either an iPhone (iOS 12 or newer) or an Android phone (version 6 or newer). If you're on an older device, you may not be able to download the current version of Snapchat from your phone's app store.

Key Takeaways

  • Download Snapchat from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then tap "Sign Up" to begin creating your account.
  • You'll need to provide your real first and last name, birthdate, email address or phone number, and choose a username that will be your Snapchat handle.
  • Snapchat sends a verification code to your email or phone — you must enter this code to confirm your account is real.
  • After verification, you can add a profile photo, set a display name (different from your username), and start adding friends.
  • Your username cannot be changed after you create it, so choose carefully before you confirm.

Step-by-step account creation

Step 1: Download the app. Open the Apple App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Search for "Snapchat" and tap the official app by Snap Inc. Tap "Get" or the download icon, then confirm with your fingerprint, face recognition, or password. Wait for the download and installation to finish.

Step 2: Open Snapchat and tap "Sign Up". Once the app is installed, open it. You'll see two buttons on the login screen: "Log In" and "Sign Up". Tap "Sign Up" to create a new account.

Step 3: Enter your name and birthdate. The app asks for your first name and last name. Use your real name — Snapchat requires this. Then enter your birthdate. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. Tap "Continue".

Step 4: Choose your username. Your username is your Snapchat handle — the name other people use to find and add you. It can contain letters, numbers, and periods, but no spaces or special characters. Usernames are permanent, so pick one you're comfortable keeping. If the username you want is already taken, Snapchat will suggest alternatives. Tap "Continue" once you've chosen one.

Step 5: Enter your email or phone number. Snapchat asks for either an email address or a phone number. This is how Snapchat verifies you're a real person and how you can recover your account if you forget your password. Type your choice and tap "Continue".

Step 6: Verify your email or phone. Snapchat sends a code to the email address or phone number you provided. Check your email inbox (or text messages if you used a phone number) and look for a six-digit code. Enter this code into the app. If you don't see the code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder, or tap "Resend Code" in the app.

Step 7: Create a password. Enter a password you'll remember. It should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to keep your account secure. Tap "Continue".

Step 8: Add a profile photo (optional). Snapchat asks if you want to add a profile picture. You can take a photo with your phone's camera or choose one from your photo library. This step is optional — you can skip it and add a photo later. Tap "Continue".

Step 9: Set your display name. Your display name is different from your username. This is the name your friends see in their contact list. You can use spaces, capital letters, and special characters here. You can change your display name anytime, but your username stays the same forever. Tap "Continue".

Step 10: Find friends. Snapchat asks permission to access your phone's contacts. If you tap "Continue", it will show you which of your contacts already use Snapchat so you can add them. If you'd rather not, tap "Skip" and add friends manually later by searching their username.

What to do if verification fails

If you don't receive the verification code, first check your email's spam or junk folder — sometimes the code lands there by mistake. If you used a phone number and didn't get a text, make sure your phone plan includes text messaging and that you typed the number correctly.

If you still haven't received the code after 10 minutes, tap "Resend Code" in the Snapchat app. You can request a new code up to three times. If all three codes fail to arrive, try using a different email address or phone number instead. Some email providers and phone carriers delay Snapchat's messages, so switching to a different one often works.

If you're stuck on the verification step and can't move forward, close the Snapchat app completely and open it again. This sometimes clears temporary glitches. If the problem persists, uninstall Snapchat, restart your phone, and reinstall the app from your app store.

Choosing a username you won't regret

Your username is permanent — you cannot change it after you create your account. This is the most important decision in the setup process. Think about what you'll be comfortable with in a year or five years. Avoid usernames with inside jokes, temporary interests, or anything you might find embarrassing later.

Keep your username simple enough that friends can remember it and type it correctly. If your name is common, you may need to add numbers or periods to find an available username. For example, "john.smith.2024" is easier for friends to find than "j0hn_sm1th_xXx".

Your username is public — anyone can search for it and see your profile. Your display name, by contrast, is what appears in your friends' contact lists and can be changed anytime. If you want privacy, use a display name that's different from your username.

Setting up your profile after registration

Once your account is created and verified, you can customize your profile. Tap the profile icon (usually a circle in the top-left corner of the app) to access your profile settings. From here you can add or change your profile photo, update your display name, add a bio, and link your other social media accounts if you want.

You can also set your privacy settings on this screen. By default, anyone can send you messages and view your story. If you want to limit who can contact you, tap "Who Can..." and adjust the settings. You can restrict messages to friends only, or block specific people entirely.

Your Snapcode is a unique QR code that appears on your profile. Other people can scan your Snapcode with their phone's camera to add you as a friend without typing your username. You can share your Snapcode with friends in person or send it through other apps.

Adding friends and starting to use Snapchat

After setup, you can add friends by searching their username, scanning their Snapcode, or letting Snapchat show you contacts who already use the app. Tap the add-friends icon (usually a person with a plus sign) and choose your method. When you send a friend request, the other person must accept it before you can message or see each other's stories.

Once you're connected with friends, you can send them snaps — photos or videos you take in the app. Snaps disappear after the recipient views them (unless they take a screenshot, which Snapchat notifies you about). You can also send regular messages that stay in your chat until you delete them, or post to your story so all your friends can see it for 24 hours.

Snapchat's main features are snaps, stories, messages, and video calls. Spend your first few days exploring each one to get comfortable with how they work. The app is designed to be intuitive, and you can always tap the question mark icon in settings if you need help with a specific feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fake name when I register?

Snapchat requires you to enter your real first and last name during registration. The app checks this information and may ask for ID if it suspects you're using a false name. Using a fake name violates Snapchat's terms of service and can result in your account being suspended or deleted.

What if my username is already taken?

Snapchat will tell you the username is unavailable and suggest alternatives with numbers or periods added. You can accept one of these suggestions or try a completely different username. Remember that usernames are permanent, so take time to choose one you like before confirming.

Can I change my username after I create my account?

No. Snapchat does not allow username changes. Your username is permanent from the moment you create it. You can change your display name (the name friends see) anytime, but your username stays the same. This is why it's important to choose carefully during registration.

Do I need to use my real phone number or email?

Yes. Snapchat requires a real, working email address or phone number so it can send you a verification code. This also lets you recover your account if you forget your password. Using a fake email or number will prevent you from completing registration.

Is Snapchat safe for kids?

Snapchat requires users to be at least 13 years old. The app has safety features like blocking and reporting, but parents should know that snaps disappear after viewing, which can make it harder to monitor what kids are doing. Snapchat also offers a parent guide on its website explaining how the app works and how to set privacy controls.