To add someone on Snapchat with phone number, you sync your device's contacts rather than typing the number into a search bar. Start by tapping your Bitmoji or Story icon at the top of the Snapchat screen to open your profile, then tap "Add Friends" or "Find friends on Snapchat".
How to add someone on Snapchat with phone number
- Open Snapchat and tap your Bitmoji or Story icon at the top of the screen to open your profile.
- Tap "Add Friends" or "Find friends on Snapchat".
- If prompted, go to your device's settings to grant Snapchat permission to access your contacts. On iOS, find Snapchat in your device's Settings and slide the "Contacts" button to the "On" position.
- Once contacts are synced, Snapchat displays a list of users from your contacts who are on Snapchat.
- Tap "+ Add" next to their name to send a friend request.
What if my contact doesn't have Snapchat?
If a synced phone number is not linked to a Snapchat account, the app will display an "Invite" option. You can tap this to send them a text message inviting them to create a Snapchat account.
How to let others find you by phone number
For others to find you via your phone number, your mobile number must first be added and verified on your Snapchat account. By default, Snapchat allows others to find you using your phone number, but you can disable this in your "Mobile Number" settings.
Managing your synced contacts and privacy
When you upload your contacts, Snapchat stores contact names, hashed phone numbers, and email addresses. You can view which data has been uploaded by going to Settings, then "Contacts" under "Additional Services," and tapping "See Contacts Shared With Snapchat." To permanently remove synced contacts from Snapchat's servers, tap "Remove Synced Contacts From Snapchat" in settings or clear contact data under "Privacy Controls." Note that disabling or adjusting your device-level permission to limit sharing contacts data with Snapchat may not remove previously shared contacts. If you need to access Snapchat data related to your contacts, you can find these options under the same privacy settings.
Troubleshooting when you can't add someone by phone number
- Contact permission not granted: Ensure the Snapchat app has contact permission enabled in your device's settings (iOS or Android).
- App needs updating: Check for app updates in your device's app store and install the latest version of Snapchat.
- Friend hasn't verified their number: Confirm that the person you want to add has a verified phone number on their Snapchat account. If they haven't added and verified their number, they won't appear in your synced contacts list. Ask the person directly or check their Snapchat settings to confirm if their phone number is linked to their account.
- Technical difficulties: Restart the Snapchat app or clear its cache in the app's settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person I add using their phone number be notified?
No, the person will not receive a notification that you sent a friend request. They will only see your request when they check their pending friend requests in the app.
Can people see my phone number if I add them on Snapchat?
No. Snapchat does not display your phone number to other users. Your number is only used for matching contacts and remains private.
Can I remove someone from my Snapchat contact list if I added them using their phone number?
Yes. This removes them from your friends list regardless of how they were added.
What happens when someone adds me using my phone number?
You will receive a friend request notification. You can accept or decline the request. If you accept, you become friends and can communicate. If you decline, the person is not added to your friend list and is not notified of your decision.
