To add friend on Venmo, navigate to their profile and tap the "Add Friend" button. This sends a friend request that the other person must accept before you appear in each other's friends lists.
How to add a friend on Venmo
Open the Venmo app and use the search bar at the top of the screen. Type the person's name, username, phone number, or email address. Tap the correct profile from the search results to view their Venmo profile. On the user's profile, tap the "Add Friend" button to send a friend request. Adding friends makes it easier to find them when sending or requesting money, as they will appear at the top of your search results. If you're planning to send them funds from a prepaid card, you may first need to add a visa gift card to Venmo.
Search for a friend by username, phone, or email
Venmo offers three specific search methods to find the right person. If you know their unique identifier, searching by their Venmo handle is the most direct way to locate their profile. You can also search by phone number or email address, simply enter either one into the search bar. Venmo will display matching profiles based on the information you provide. Always verify the profile picture and name before sending a request to ensure you are connecting with the correct person.
What happens after you send a friend request
After you tap "Add Friend," the request is sent to the other person. They will receive a notification within the app. The request remains pending until they accept it. Once they accept, you will both appear in each other's friends lists. If they decline the request, the connection is not made. You can check the status of pending requests from your profile section.
Important note about syncing your phone contacts
Venmo has not automatically added your device contacts as friends since 2022. Even if you sync your contacts, you will need to manually add any friends on Venmo. Syncing your device contacts with Venmo allows the app to access names, phone numbers, and email addresses to improve search results and let you invite contacts. You can manually grant Venmo access to your contacts by going to "Pay/Request" or "Search," tapping "Sync your contacts," and then "Allow." This does not send friend requests, it only makes it easier to find people when you search.
How to manage your Venmo friends list privacy
Your Venmo Friends list privacy settings can be configured to be visible to other Venmo users, only your Venmo friends, or private. To change these settings, go to the "Me" tab, tap the "Settings" gear, then "Privacy," and then "Friends List." Choose the option that best suits your preferences. If you have not yet completed your Venmo account setup, you will need to finish that process before accessing these privacy controls. If you decide the platform isn't right for you, you can always delete Venmo account entirely.
How to remove a friend on Venmo
To unfriend someone, go to their profile by searching for them or finding them in your friends list. On their profile, tap "Unfriend." A confirmation prompt will appear, confirm your decision. The person will no longer appear in your friends list, but any past transactions between you will remain visible in your payment history.
For the wider topic, see Venmo handle.
