Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. With its fun filters and disappearing messages, Snapchat makes it easy to share quick photos and videos with friends and family. But if you need to figure out if a specific contact is using Snapchat, it can be tricky since the app doesn’t have a traditional friends search function.
Check Your Contacts List
The easiest way to see if someone you know has a Snapchat account is by checking your Snapchat contacts. Open the Snapchat app and tap on the contacts icon in the top left corner. This will open your contacts list. Scroll through the list to see which of your phone contacts are on Snapchat. Any contacts using Snapchat will have their usernames listed next to their name. You can also search for specific contacts using the search bar at the top of the screen.
Keep in mind that your contacts list only includes friends who have added each other on Snapchat. If you suspect someone has Snapchat but they haven’t added you back yet, they won’t show up in your contacts. The contacts list is also limited to people who you have saved in your phone’s contact list. So if you only have someone’s email or social media handle, they won’t appear in your Snapchat contacts unless they’ve added you first.
Search by Username
If someone isn’t showing up in your contacts, you can try searching for their specific Snapchat username. To do this:
- Open the Snapchat app and tap on the Snapchat ghost icon on the camera screen.
- Tap on the icon next to the search bar that looks like a person and a magnifying glass.
- Type the exact Snapchat username into the search bar.
- If the username exists, the account will pop up and you can tap on it to view the profile and confirm it’s the right person.
This search method only works if you know the exact username. If you’re unsure of the spelling, you may not get accurate results. It’s also possible the person has their account set to private, in which case you won’t be able to view the profile and will have to request to add them first.
Connect Using Phone Number or Email
If searching the username doesn’t work, another option is to try connecting with someone by syncing your phone contacts or email contacts. Here’s how:
- Open your profile by tapping on the Snapchat ghost on the camera screen.
- Tap the settings gear icon in the top right corner.
- Under “My Friends” select “Find Friends.”
- Choose to ” Sync Contacts” or “Add Friends by Email.”
- Select which contacts you want to sync up or enter email addresses to search.
- Snapchat will show any matches from your contacts who also have Snapchat.
Syncing your contacts allows Snapchat to cross reference phone numbers and emails associated with Snapchat accounts. If there’s a match, the contact’s Snapchat profile will show up so you can send a friend request or start chatting. One thing to note is that syncing contacts uploads your phone’s contacts to Snapchat’s servers, so only do this if you’re comfortable with Snapchat accessing your contact information.
Check Other Social Media
If the contact you’re looking for isn’t showing up on Snapchat, your best bet is to check their other social media profiles for clues. Here are some things to look for:
- Snapchat handle in bio: Many people will list their Snapchat username in their bio or description on other social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Check the bio sections for any mentions of Snapchat.
- Snapcodes: Snapcodes are the unique QR codes that let you easily add someone on Snapchat. People often share their Snapcodes on Instagram stories or other platforms. See if your contact has posted their Snapcode publicly.
- Screenshots: The Snapchat interface is very recognizable. If you see saved Snapchat screenshots on someone’s Instagram story or Twitter feed, there’s a good chance they use Snapchat actively.
- Location tags: Snapchat has Snap Map which lets you share your location. If you notice someone tagging Snaps at certain locations, it means they likely have Snapchat.
Following social media breadcrumbs can often lead you to figure out a contact’s Snapchat account. Just be careful not to misinterpret art or interfaces from other apps as Snapchat.
Ask Directly
If your online searching hasn’t uncovered the contact’s Snapchat account, the simplest option is to just ask them directly. You can ask in-person, send them a text, DM them on another platform, or email them. Say you wanted to add them on Snapchat and ask if they use it or could share their username. This takes any guesswork out of the equation.
Some people may be privacy-conscious and hesitate to hand out their Snapchat username. Respect their decision if someone declines to share this information. You can always explain that you’d love to stay connected on Snapchat if they feel comfortable sharing it in the future.
Conclusion
Tracking down a contact on Snapchat comes down to checking your existing connections, sleuthing for clues on other social media, and asking directly when needed. With over 300 million daily users on Snapchat, there’s a good chance your friends and family are on the platform. Taking the time to find and add close contacts can help you fully enjoy Snapchat’s features for staying in touch.
Method | How To | Considerations |
---|---|---|
Check Contacts List | Open Snapchat contacts and scroll through list | Only shows friends who’ve added each other |
Search Username | Type username into Snapchat search bar | Need the exact, full username |
Sync Contacts | Connect phone contacts or email contacts | Uploads your contacts to Snapchat |
Check Social Media | Look for Snapchat clues on other platforms | References don’t always mean active usage |
Ask Directly | Message or speak to contact for username | Respect privacy if they decline to share |