To add friends on Snapchat, tap the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen, type your friend's name or username, then tap '+ Add'. You can also add people from your phone contacts, on Snapchat for Web, from Find Friends suggestions, from a Story that mentions them, or by scanning their Snapcode.
Which way is quickest depends on what you already know about the person. If you have their username, search is fastest. If you're standing next to them, scan their Snapcode. The table below matches each route to the situation it suits, using the steps from Snapchat's guide to adding friends.
Which way fits you?
| Route | Where to tap | When it works best |
|---|---|---|
| Search | Magnifying glass at the top, type a name or username, tap '+ Add' | You know their name or username |
| Phone contacts | Your Bitmoji or Story icon to open My Account, then 'Find friends on Snapchat', allow access in your device Settings, tap '+ Add' | They're already saved in your phone |
| Snapchat for Web | The person with a plus icon in the top bar of the Chat screen, then 'Search...', then '+ Add' | You're on a computer |
| Find Friends | Suggestions in the Chat screen, Add Friends screen or Search; tap 'Add' or 'Accept' | Snapchat suggests someone you know |
| Mention | View a Story that mentions them, swipe up on the featured Snap, tap '+Add' | You saw them tagged in someone's Story |
| Snapcode | Point your camera at their Snapcode, press and hold to scan, tap 'Add Friend' | You're together in person |
| Public Profile | Subscribe to their Public Profile | They're a creator or business; subscribing adds them as a friend and they can add you back |
The search route, step by step
This is the one most people need. Snapchat's wording, word for word:
- Tap the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen.
- Type in a friend's name or username.
- Tap '+ Add' to add them as a friend.
On a computer? The search bar won't find new friends
Here's the detail most people miss. On Snapchat for Web, the magnifying glass Search bar on the Chat screen only filters your existing chats. It doesn't find new people, which is why typing a friend's username there seems to do nothing. You need the separate Add Friends screen:
- Go to web.snapchat.com and sign in.
- On the Chat screen, click the person with a plus icon in the top bar to open 'Add Friends'.
- Click 'Search...' and type a name or username.
- Click '+ Add'.
Adding from your contacts, and what Snapchat keeps
To add people from your phone, tap your Bitmoji or Story icon at the top to open My Account, tap 'Find friends on Snapchat', then go to the Settings on your device and choose the access level you prefer. On iOS that's Full Access or Limited Access. Then tap '+ Add' next to anyone you want.
It's worth knowing what you're sharing. Snapchat says it may store contact names, hashed phone numbers and email addresses, when the contact was last updated, and whether a contact has a photo (not the photo itself). You can check this in Settings under 'Contacts' in 'Additional Services', then 'See Contacts Shared With Snapchat'. To remove it, use 'Remove Synced Contacts From Snapchat', or go to 'Privacy Controls', then 'Clear Data', then 'Clear Contact Data'. If you only want one or two people, Limited Access on iOS or a simple username search shares far less.
How Find Friends picks who you see
Find Friends suggestions turn up in the Chat screen, the Add Friends screen and Search. Tap 'Add' or 'Accept' to connect, or the X to hide someone. Snapchat says suggestions are based on age, location, existing friends, existing followers, reputation and behaviour. If you'd rather not be suggested to other people, switch off 'Find Friends' under 'Privacy Controls' in Settings. My piece on Snapchat Quick Add and Find Friends goes into how these suggestions work.
Snapchat's Find Friends explainer adds three privacy points: all accounts are private by default, friend lists are private, and people can only message mutually accepted friends or saved contacts. So unless you're in each other's saved contacts, adding someone doesn't mean you can chat straight away; they need to accept you too.
Someone added you and you don't want them?
Tap the Profile icon to open My Account, go to 'Add Friends', tap the X next to the person in 'Added Me', then tap 'Ignore'. If you want to check who's sent you a request in the first place, here's how to see who added you on Snapchat.
When adding doesn't work
Snapchat's troubleshooting page lists the usual causes. Here they are with what to do:
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| What's happening | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| The add button does nothing or errors | A connection problem | Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and try again |
| You can't find or add one particular person | They've blocked you, or deleted their account | Nothing you can change from your side |
| You can't add anyone new | You've reached Snapchat's friend limit (it doesn't publish the number) | Remove friends you no longer talk to, then try again |
| Adding stopped after a burst of requests | You added friends too quickly | Wait and try again later |
| Your username search on a computer finds nobody | You're using the Chat search bar, which only filters chats | Use the Add Friends screen instead |
If none of those fit, my guide on why you can't add someone on Snapchat goes deeper into each cause.
My advice
Ask for a username or a Snapcode. It's the quickest way and it means you're adding the right person, not someone with a similar name. I'd think twice before syncing your whole contact list just to add a couple of people, because you're handing over more than you need to, and you can always clear it later in Privacy Controls. On a laptop, ignore the search bar on the Chat screen and go straight to the person with a plus icon. And if you're adding lots of people at once, slow down: Snapchat does limit how fast you can add, and it's a frustrating way to get stuck.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add someone on Snapchat by username?
Tap the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen, type their name or username, then tap '+ Add'.
Can I add friends on Snapchat for Web?
Yes. Sign in at web.snapchat.com, click the person with a plus icon in the top bar of the Chat screen to open Add Friends, click Search, type a name or username and click '+ Add'. The search bar on the Chat screen itself only filters your chats.
Why can't I add friends on Snapchat?
Snapchat lists a few causes: a connection problem, the person has blocked you or deleted their account, you've reached the friend limit, or you've added friends too quickly. Try Wi-Fi and mobile data, and wait a while if you've been adding a lot.
How do I add someone with a Snapcode?
Your friend opens Snapchat and taps their Profile icon to show their Snapcode. Point your camera at it, press and hold to scan, then tap 'Add Friend'.
Does subscribing to a Public Profile add them as a friend?
Yes. Snapchat says subscribing to a Public Profile adds that owner as a friend, and they can add you back.
How do I stop appearing in other people's Find Friends?
Go to Settings, open Privacy Controls and switch off Find Friends.
