Create a New Snapchat Account 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide to Sign Up Without a Phone Number on Android and iPhone

What Is Snapchat and Why Do You Need an Account?

Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps in the Arab world and globally. What sets it apart is that everything in it is temporary — photos and messages disappear after a short time, giving users a greater sense of privacy. You cannot browse content or follow friends without your own account — privacy is at the core of the app's philosophy.

The good news is that creating an account is a simple process that takes no more than two minutes, and you can complete it with just an email address without needing a phone number if you prefer.

What You Need Before Starting

Before opening the app, prepare the following: your first and last name (can be a nickname), your real date of birth (minimum age is 14), a new email address that hasn't been used on Snapchat before, and a unique username you've thought about in advance since you won't be able to change it later.

Also make sure you've downloaded the latest version of Snapchat from the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone.

Steps to Create a New Snapchat Account

Step 1 — Open the App and Start Registration

Open Snapchat after installing it. You'll see the main screen with two options: "Log In" for existing users and "Sign Up" or "Create Account" for new users. Tap the create account option to proceed.

Step 2 — Enter Your Name

Enter your first name in the first field and last name in the second. You can use a real or nickname depending on your preference — this is what your friends will see when they add you. Tap "Accept and Continue" after entering your name.

Step 3 — Enter Your Date of Birth

This step is important — enter your actual birthdate accurately. Snap Inc. does not allow registration for those under 14, and if you enter a date indicating an age below that the app will refuse to complete registration. After selecting the day, month, and year tap "Continue."

Step 4 — Choose Your Username

This is the most important step — your username is your permanent identity on Snapchat and cannot be changed after selection. Choose it very carefully. Some tips for a great username: combine your name with simple numbers, make sure it's easy to spell and pronounce so friends can find you easily, avoid complex symbols or long strings of numbers. If the name you want is taken the app will notify you and suggest alternatives. Tap "Continue" after choosing your username.

Step 5 — Create a Strong Password

Choose a password combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like @#$%. A strong password looks like: Snap@2026x9. Avoid using your name or birthdate as a password since these are easy to guess. Save your password somewhere safe or use a trusted password manager.

Step 6 — Register With Email Instead of Phone Number

Here the email input option appears — enter your new email address that hasn't been used on Snapchat before. Make sure you have access to it since you'll need it later for verification.

Step 7 — Skip Phone Number (Optional)

In the next step the app will ask for your phone number for verification. If you don't want to link your phone number to the account look at the top right of the screen and you'll find a "Skip" option — tap it to continue without a phone number. Important note: linking a phone number makes it easier to recover your account if you forget your password, but it's not mandatory.

Step 8 — Complete Registration and Optional Steps

After completing the main steps the app will offer you: finding friends from your contacts (can be skipped), and designing a Bitmoji character that represents you visually (can be skipped and done later). After finishing the app will open directly to the front camera — your account is ready to use.

Important Tips After Creating Your Account

Enable two-step verification from account settings for additional protection. Add your phone number later from settings to make account recovery easier. Adjust your privacy settings from the settings menu to control who can send messages and view your content.