6 Quick Ways to Search for Friends on Snapchat

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Easy tips to find friends and other users with a Snapchat account

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: April 24, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using Your Contacts

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Using Search

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Using Mentions

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Using Find Friends

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Using Snapcode

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Accepting Friend Requests

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Do you want to find someone on Snapchat? You can search for users using phone numbers, names, and Snapcodes, though you won't be able to find someone with their email address alone. You can even use the "Find Friends" feature if you're near other Snapchat users. This wikiHow will show you all the ways to find friends and add them to your contact list on Snapchat using your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Searching for Snapchat Users

You can add friends on Snapchat by searching their username, using your phone contacts, or scanning a Snapcode. When adding contacts, Snapchat will search for phone numbers associated with Snapchat accounts. To accept a friend request, go to your profile and tap Add Friends.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Using Your Contacts

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1
Tap your profile icon in Snapchat. This will be at the top-left corner of the Snapchat app, regardless of which tab you're in.^{[1]
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- Use this method to find people you already know on Snapchat using the information in your phone contacts.
This will be underneath the Friends header. You may need to scroll down to find this option.^{[2]
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Tap All Contacts. You can find this to the right of Quick Add.^{[3]
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- If you see the option, you can tap Invite your friends! instead.
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Allow Snapchat access to your contacts. If Snapchat doesn't already have contacts access, you'll see Go to Settings. Tap this button to be redirected to your Settings app.
- Toggle on the switch for Contacts.
- Return to the Snapchat app.
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Tap + Add. If any of your contacts have a Snapchat account and their phone number is linked, you'll see them listed here. Tap Add to send someone a friend request.^{[4]
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- If your contact accepts your friend request, they will be added to your friends list.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Using Search

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1
Tap the magnifying glass icon in Snapchat. This will be at the top-left corner of the Snapchat app, regardless of which tab you're in. A new page will open.^{[5]
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- You can use this method to search for a friend by name or username.
- If you aren't already logged in, tap Log in to do so now.
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Type in a friend's username or name. Matching results will start loading as you type.
- Snapchat users have two names: A username and a display name. The username is the permanent name you create when you sign up for Snapchat, and the display name is set on your profile and can be changed. When you search for a friend, you'll see results for both usernames and display names.
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Tap + Add to send a friend request. This will be to the right of the username. A friend request will be sent.
- When the user accepts, you'll see them on your friends list.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Using Mentions

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When a user is mentioned in a Snapchat story, you can easily send a friend request to them.
This Snap must have the user mentioned.
This will send a friend request to the mentioned user in the Snap. If they accept your request, they will be added to your friends list.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Using Find Friends

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1
Scroll through Snapchat. When you use Snapchat, Find Friends can appear in multiple tabs, such as the Chat screen, Add Friends screen, or Search screen.
- Find Friends uses information about you (including your name, existing friends, existing followers, reputation, and behavior) to suggest new people to be friends with. This can help you find people you already know in real life, but it's also a cool way to make new friends on Snapchat.^{[6]
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- When you find a Quick Add, you'll see a purple button with a person icon.
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Tap the Add button. This will be the button next to the user's profile. This lets the person know you've sent them a friend request and gives them a chance to respond.
- When the contact accepts, you'll see them on your friends list.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Using Snapcode

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1
Open Snapchat to the camera tab. If you aren't on the camera tab by default, tap the camera icon to navigate there now.
- If someone in your physical presence has Snapchat and wants to be your friend, you can use the Snapchat app on your phone to scan their Snapcode and add them.
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Point your camera at your friend's Snapcode. Your friend can have their Snapcode open on their device, or they can send it to you through a messaging app such as iMessage.
- To find and show your Snapcode, do the following:
  - Tap your profile picture.
  - Tap the yellow square to the left of your username.
  - If you want to share your Snapcode, tap Share Snapcode and select a sharing method.
- If your friend sent you their Snapcode, tap the link to be redirected to their profile.
The Snapcode is the unique yellow tile with black dots. A pop-up will appear.
When the contact accepts, you'll see them on your friends list.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Accepting Friend Requests

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1
Tap your profile icon in Snapchat. This will be at the top-left corner, regardless of which tab you're in.
- If someone sent you a friend request, it's easy to accept.
This will be underneath the Friends header. You may need to scroll down to find this option.
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Tap the check mark. This will be next to the user trying to add you. Once you tap the check mark, the friend request will be accepted.
- If you want to ignore a friend request, tap the X and then tap Ignore.
  - You can also block the user by long-pressing the user and tapping Block. Users won't be notified they have been blocked, but there are ways to check.