To add a bio on Snapchat, tap your Bitmoji or Story icon at the top to open your Profile, tap Public Profile, then tap the pencil icon and add your bio. Bios live on your Public Profile, not your private one, so if you're under 16 or don't have a Public Profile, you won't see the option.
A lot of people look for a bio field on their normal Snapchat profile and can't find it. That's because Snapchat keeps two profiles: the private one your friends see, and a Public Profile anyone on Snapchat can see. The bio belongs to the public one.
Private profile versus Public Profile
Snapchat's support pages say every Snapchatter has a private profile by default, and only your friends can see it. A Public Profile is visible to anyone on Snapchat and lets you publish content like Stories and Lenses to the wider Snapchat community. People aged 16 and over can choose to use one.
| Private profile | Public Profile | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sees it | Your friends | Anyone on Snapchat |
| Bio | No | Yes |
| Profile photo, cover photo, location | No | Yes |
| Subscribers and public Stories | No | Yes |
How to add or change your Snapchat bio
- Tap your Bitmoji or Story icon at the top of the camera screen to go to your Profile.
- Tap Public Profile.
- Tap the pencil icon at the top of the screen.
- Add or edit your bio, then save your changes.
Snapchat's support page says you can use the same edit screen to add a profile photo and other public information. Another of its pages suggests including a profile photo, a background photo, a bio and a location, so it's worth filling in all four while you're there.
Why you can't see the bio option
Snapchat says not every account comes with a Public Profile. You may not have one if:
- You're younger than 16.
- Your account has broken Snapchat's Community Guidelines in the past.
If neither applies, update the app and look again under your Profile for My Public Profile. Snapchat also notes there are some differences between Public Profiles for 16 and 17 year olds and those for people aged 18 and over.
Who can see your bio
Anyone on Snapchat who views your Public Profile can see your bio. Snapchat says creating a Public Profile doesn't change your existing contact or Story privacy settings, so adding a bio won't suddenly let strangers message you or see your private Story. To check how your profile looks to other people, open your Public Profile settings and tap Preview Your Profile.
Because the bio is public, leave out anything you wouldn't put on a shop window: your school, your exact address or your phone number.
Writing a bio that works
If you're using Snapchat for a business or as a creator, your bio is the one line that tells a visitor why they should subscribe. Keep it to who you are, what you post and why someone would care. A few examples of the shape that works:
- A salon: what you do, where you are and what people will see in your Stories.
- A coach: who you help and the kind of tips you share.
- A shop: what you sell and what makes your Stories worth watching.
Snapchat's Public Profile features table shows you can also view Public Story, Lens and audience insights, which helps you see whether the people subscribing are the ones you wanted. I've explained how to get insights on Snapchat and what they show.
What else you can add next to your bio
Snapchat's features table for Public Profiles lists what a standard Public Profile can include, and what's reserved for Creator and Business accounts:
| Feature | Standard Public Profile |
|---|---|
| Photo, bio, description, location, Stories and Lenses | Yes |
| Snapchatters can subscribe to you, and you can show your subscriber count | Yes |
| Public Story, Lens and audience insights | Yes |
| Public Story replies and quoting | Yes |
| Website and public email | No, Creator or Business accounts only |
| A category for your profile | No, Creator or Business accounts only |
So if you've been looking for a place to add your website link next to your bio and can't find it, that's why. Snapchat says Professional Accounts, where you choose a Creator or Business type, are limited to people aged 18 and over and aren't available to everyone yet.
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How to remove your bio
You can edit the bio from the pencil icon at any time. If you want to remove everything, Snapchat lets you clear your Public Profile from the three dot menu in your Public Profile settings. Be careful with that one: Snapchat says clearing it permanently removes your bio, profile photo, public Stories and Stories saved to your Public Profile, and they can't be restored. It doesn't delete your username or your account.
My advice
Fill in your Public Profile fully or not at all. A bio with no photo and no Stories looks abandoned. If you're using Snapchat for business, write the bio last, after you know what you'll post, so it describes what people really get. And if you'd rather a cleaner look, you can also change or remove your Snapchat profile picture from the same area.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I add a bio on Snapchat?
Bios live on your Public Profile. Snapchat says you may not have a Public Profile if you're under 16 or your account has broken its Community Guidelines.
Can my friends see my Snapchat bio?
Yes. Your bio is on your Public Profile, which anyone on Snapchat can view, including your friends.
Where is the pencil icon to edit my Snapchat bio?
Open your Profile, tap Public Profile, and the pencil icon is at the top of the screen.
Does adding a bio make my Snapchat account public?
No. Snapchat says creating a Public Profile doesn't change your existing contact or Story privacy settings.
How old do you have to be to have a Snapchat bio?
Snapchat says people aged 16 and over can choose to use a Public Profile, which is where the bio lives. There are a few differences for 16 and 17 year olds.
Can I add a website link to my Snapchat bio?
Not on a standard Public Profile. Snapchat lists a website and public email as features of Creator and Business accounts.
How can I see what my Snapchat bio looks like to others?
Open your Public Profile settings and tap Preview Your Profile to see it the way other Snapchatters do.
How do I delete my Snapchat bio?
Edit it from the pencil icon, or clear your whole Public Profile from its settings menu. Clearing is permanent and removes your bio, photo and public Stories.
