If you’re a Snapchat user that has been surprised by random friend requests from strangers, you’re not alone. People can add your Snapchat account in several different ways, and you have probably noticed that this includes adding you by phone number. This might leave you questioning your privacy or security when using the Snapchat app.
In this guide, we look further into adding by phone number on Snapchat, how it happens, and how you can disable this feature and secure your account. Keep reading to find out more.
Who Can See My Snapchat Profile?
Your Snapchat profile is public by default, which means that anyone can see your display name and username. Your profile also includes your Snapcode, which is a QR code that people can scan to add you on Snapchat.
If someone has your phone number in their contacts they can also search for you on Snapchat using this method. They don’t need your permission to do this, and you won’t be notified that they’ve added you.
The good news is that you can adjust your settings and make your Snapchat profile private so you will not appear in the search function or quick add. When your profile is private, only users who already have your phone number in their address book will be able to find and add you on Snapchat.
How to Make Your Snapchat Profile Private
Making your Snapchat profile private is a fairly straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Open the Snapchat app and tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Scroll down and tap on ‘Who can…’
3. Tap on ‘Who can contact me?’
4. Select ‘My Friends’ from the list of options.
Your Snapchat profile is now private and only people who already have your phone number in their address book will be able to find you and add you as a friend.
Who Can Add Me on Snapchat?
Before we get into how phone numbers are used to add people on Snapchat, it’s important to understand the different ways that people can add you in the first place. There are five methods that somebody can use to add you as a friend on Snapchat.
- Username: The most common method is for users to search for your username and send a friend request. This is generally done by people that know you in real life or have seen your username somewhere online.
- Snapcode: Every Snapchat user has a unique Snapcode. This is a QR code that can be scanned to add someone as a friend. You can find your Snapcode by tapping the ghost icon in the top-left corner of the app and then tapping ‘My Snapchat Code’.
- Phone number: As we will discuss in this article, it is possible for someone to add you on Snapchat using your phone number. If they have your mobile number stored in their contacts, you can be added to Snapchat.
- Quick add: If you have mutual friends or interests, you may appear on a list of people you may know for other Snapchat users. The downside to this is that, despite having mutual friends on Snapchat, this person could be a complete stranger to you.
- Nearby Friends: If you have Nearby Friends enabled on Snapchat, people that are close to your location can see that you’re available to add as a friend.
How Does Adding by Phone Number Work on Snapchat?
When you add someone on Snapchat, the app will ask how you know the person. If you select ‘By Phone Number’, Snapchat will access your address book and look for any contacts that have their phone number linked to a Snapchat account.
If any of your contacts have their phone number connected to a Snapchat account, you will see their username under the ‘Add by Phone Number’ option. You can then tap on their username to send them a friend request. It’s important to note that this only works if the person you’re trying to add has their phone number publicly visible in their Snapchat settings.
How Can I Disable Adding by Phone Number on Snapchat?
If you’re concerned about privacy or security, you might want to disable the option to add people on Snapchat by phone number. Here’s how to do this:
- Open the Snapchat app and tap on the ghost icon in the top-left corner. This will take you to your profile settings.
- Scroll down and tap ‘Manage Preferences’.
- From here, you can disable the option to allow people to add you by phone number.
It’s also a good idea to regularly review the list of people that have your phone number in their address book. This way, you can spot any unfamiliar names and remove them from your contacts if necessary.
How to Stop Strangers Adding You on Snapchat
If you’re receiving friend requests from people that you don’t know, there are several steps that you can take to stop this from happening. In addition to disabling the option to add people by phone number, we recommend taking the following measures:
Check your privacy settings
By default, anyone can send you a friend request on Snapchat. If you only want to receive friend requests from people that you know, you can change this in your privacy settings by adjusting your profile permissions. To do this, follow these instructions:
- Login to your Snapchat account
- Go to your profile settings and tap ‘Who Can…’ followed by ‘Send Me Snaps’.
- From here, you can select ‘My Friends’.
You can also hide your phone number on Snapchat and disable the add by mobile number feature using the same menu.
Block people
If someone keeps sending you friend requests, you can leave them pending, or block them entirely so that they can no longer contact you. To do this, go to your list of friends and tap on the three dots next to their name. From here, you should see the option to block them.
Reporting people
If you’re receiving inappropriate friend requests or messages, you can report the offender to Snapchat. To do this, go to your list of friends and tap on the three dots next to their name. Tap ‘Report’ and then select the appropriate reason for reporting them.
You can also report people that aren’t on your friend list by swiping left on their name in the ‘Quick Add’ section.
Pro Tips: Staying Safe on Snapchat
If you’re concerned about privacy and safety on Snapchat, we recommend that you check your privacy settings regularly and ensure that only people that you know can contact you.
Be cautious of adding people that you don’t know in person. If someone sends you a friend request, take a moment to review your mutual friends and double-check that you know them before accepting. Consider disabling the add by phone number feature on your Snapchat account. This will prevent strangers from being able to look up your phone number and send you a friend request. You will find instructions on how to do this earlier in this article.
Related: Snapchat Won’t Download on iPhone
