How to Snapchat Someone Who Hasn't Added You As a Friend

Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 Fact Checked

This wikiHow teaches you how to send Snapchats to users you're not already friends with. They will be able to view your snaps immediately if their privacy settings are set to receive Snapchats from "Everyone".^{[1]
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Research source} Otherwise, your snap will appear in your message list as "Pending" until they add you back.

How to Snap Someone Who Isn’t Your Snapchat Friend Yet

Open Snapchat, and tap the “Capture” button to take a photo or video.
Tap the blue “Send” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Tap on the search bar at the top of the screen, and type in the username of the person you want to send the photo to.
Tap the “+” button next to the username to add them to your friends list.
A blue bar with your new friend’s name will appear. Tap the white arrow on the right side to send the photo.

Steps

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1
Open Snapchat. If you do not already have it, you can get it from the App Store or Play Store.
- Unless you're already signed in to your account, you will have to log in with your username and password.
Tap the “Capture” button to snap a photo, or hold it down for video. This button looks like a large white circle at the bottom of your screen.^{[2]
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This is the white arrow icon in a blue circle in the lower-right corner of your screen. Tapping on it will take you to the “Send To” page.^{[3]
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This will be at the top of your "Send To" menu. Tapping on it will bring up your keyboard and you will begin typing.^{[4]
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Snapchat will list matching usernames below the search bar as you type.^{[5]
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If a matching result is found, it will appear on your screen with a “+” button next to it. Tapping on this button will add this user to your friends list on Snapchat.
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Tap the “Send” button. A blue bar with a white arrow and your new friend's name will appear at the bottom of your screen. Tapping on it will send your snap to your new friend.^{[6]
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- If you don't know their username, you can also add friends from your phone contacts, by their Snapcode, or scan your immediate area for other Snapchatters. To do this, you will have to tap the blue person icon in the upper-right corner of your "Send To" page, and open the "Add Friends" menu.^{[7]
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- Your contact will be able to view your snap if their privacy settings are set to receive snaps from “Everyone.” Otherwise, the snap will be listed as "Pending" in your message list until they add you back.

Community Q&A

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Question

If someone hasn't added me back, can I still send them a snap?

Community Answer

You can, but it also depends on their privacy settings. If it's set public, they will see that you have sent them a snap. If their settings are set to friends only, your message will show up as pending, but they won't see that you have sent them a snap.

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Question

If I text someone who hasn’t accepted my Snapchat request, will they still get notified?

Community Answer

No, they won't if the privacy settings are set to not receive from non-friends. However, they will get your friend request, then your message if you're accepted.

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Question

Can I talk on Snapchat without friends?

Community Answer

Yes you can add people or set your privacy settings so that anyone can text you even when they’re not on your friends list.

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Tips

Your can see and change your own privacy settings in “Settings > Contact Me”. Similar privacy settings for your story can be found at “Settings > View My Story”.^{[8]
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Screenshot your own Snapcode, and add yourself as a friend for an inside joke between you and Snapchat.

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You can see a list of Snapchatters who recently added you as a friend. Swipe down on your Snapchat camera screen, and tap "Added Me."

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Warnings

Sometimes you send a snap, but your contact never sees it. Make sure to know how to check if your snap has been viewed.

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