There are a few different ways to hide your Snapchat friends list so that other users can’t see who you are friends with on the app. The main options are adjusting your privacy settings, using Snapchat’s “My Eyes Only” feature, and creating a second “ghost” account.
Adjust Privacy Settings
The easiest way to hide your friend list is to adjust your privacy settings in the Snapchat app:
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner.
- Tap the settings gear icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and tap “See My Friends.”
- Toggle the switch off next to “Allow My Friends To…” This will prevent anyone else from seeing your friends list.
With this setting disabled, other Snapchat users won’t be able to see your friends when they view your profile. However, they can still see your friend count, so they’ll know you have friends on Snapchat, but not exactly who.
Use “My Eyes Only”
Snapchat’s “My Eyes Only” feature lets you hide content in a passcode-protected area. You can use it to hide your friends as well:
- Open your friends list in Snapchat.
- Tap and hold on a friend’s name to select them.
- Tap the ••• menu icon at the top.
- Select “Move to My Eyes Only” to hide that friend.
Repeat this for each friend you want to hide. Your friends moved to My Eyes Only will no longer show up in your main friends list. Anyone snooping in your normal friends list won’t see them. However, they are still technically contacts in your Snapchat account.
Create a Second “Ghost” Account
For maximum privacy, you can create a separate Snapchat account just for your closest friends. This “ghost” account’s friends list can be kept completely private.
To do this:
- Create a new Snapchat account using a different email and username.
- Find and add your close friends on the ghost account.
- In ghost account settings, disable “Allow My Friends to View My Friends.”
- Only share your ghost account username with your closest friends.
Now you have a separate Snapchat profile whose friends list only you and your best friends can see. For everyone else, including people who know your real Snapchat account, your ghost account and its friends will be completely hidden.
Beware Friends Who Share Your Username
Regardless of your privacy settings, beware of friends who may share or expose your Snapchat username to others without your knowledge. For example, someone could screenshot one of your Snaps that has your username and send or post it publicly.
To minimize this risk:
- Be selective about who you choose to add as friends.
- Avoid using a Snapchat username that contains any part of your real name.
- Occasionally check your Snapchat profile to see what it looks like to others.
Other Ways to Hide Friends
In addition to the main options above, there are a few other ways to hide friends:
- Hide Best Friends – You can stop your Best Friends from being publicly visible by going to your profile, tapping the smiley face, and disabling “Show My Best Friends.”
- Delete Friends – Instead of hiding friends, you can always straight up delete them from your friends list.
- Block Friends – Blocking someone stops them from viewing your Story or contacting you. It also removes them from your friends list.
- Restrict Stories – Customize your privacy settings for who can view your Story to hide it from certain friends.
What Friends Can Still See
Even with the above options, there are some things your Snapchat friends may still be able to see, including:
- Your friend count (though not the list itself).
- Your mutual friends (friends you share in common).
- Friends who have you as their #1 Best Friend.
- Whether you are friends with someone else they know.
The only way to completely hide your friends list is to use a ghost account or frequently prune your friends list.
FAQs About Hiding Snapchat Friends
Does deleting friends remove them from your friends’ lists?
No, deleting a friend only removes them from your friends list. They will still show you on their friends list.
Can you hide your friends list from specific people?
Not directly. But you can use Restricted profiles to limit your Story visibility per friend.
What happens when you remove a Best Friend?
They are simply removed from your Best Friends list. Your normal Snapchat friendship remains intact.
Can someone on your friends list hide from you?
Yes, they can hide from your friends list using the same options outlined above. You will no longer see them as a friend.
Can you tell if someone hid you from their friends list?
Not definitively. But if you disappear from their friends list without them deleting you as a friend, they likely hid you.
What do you see if a friend hides their friends list?
You can see they have a friends list, but not view who is on it. Their profile just shows a blank friends list.
The Benefits of Hiding Your Friends
Hiding your Snapchat friends list can provide a few benefits:
- More privacy – Friends can’t snoop on who else you Snap.
- Avoid awkwardness – Prevents friends from questioning why some people are on your list.
- Maintain friendships – Helps avoid tensions if you have friends who don’t get along.
- Reduce stalking/harassment – Makes it harder for bullies or abusers to target your other connections.
Ultimately, your Snapchat friends list is personal. Don’t feel pressured to make it public. Hide it if doing so gives you more comfort and control over your friendships.