Sending friend requests on Facebook is a great way to connect with new people or strengthen bonds with existing connections. On the Facebook mobile app for iPhone, sending a friend request is easy and only takes a few taps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to send friend requests on Facebook using an iPhone.
Prerequisites
Before sending a friend request, make sure of the following:
- You have the latest version of the Facebook app installed on your iPhone
- Your iPhone is connected to the internet (WiFi or mobile data)
- Your Facebook account is updated with your correct information and profile picture
- You can access the profile of the person you want to send the friend request to
Step 1 – Open the Facebook App and Find the Person’s Profile
Open the Facebook app on your iPhone. On the News Feed tab, tap the search bar at the top and type in the name of the person you want to friend. Tap on their name when it appears in the search results. This will take you to their public profile page.
Step 2 – Tap the Add Friend Button
From the person’s profile, tap the “Add Friend” or “Add” button. This is usually located near the top right corner of the page. If you do not see the Add Friend button, it’s likely you are already friends with that person.
Step 3 – Tap Send Request
After tapping the Add Friend button, a popup will appear asking you to confirm sending the friend request. Tap on “Send Request” to send the request.
Step 4 – Wait for the Person to Accept Your Request
Once you send the friend request, it’s sent to the recipient’s incoming friend requests list. They will get a notification that you sent a friend request. Now all you have to do is wait for the person to accept your request. It may take some time for them to see and respond to your request depending on how often they check Facebook.
How to Cancel a Sent Friend Request
If you change your mind about connecting with someone after sending them a friend request, you can easily cancel it.
- Go to their profile page again
- Tap on the requested icon below their name
- Tap on Cancel Request
This will delete the outgoing friend request so they will no longer see it on their end.
Accepting Incoming Friend Requests
When someone sends you a friend request, you will get a notification on Facebook. Here is how to accept incoming friend requests on iPhone:
- Open the Facebook app and tap on the Notification tab (bell icon)
- Scroll through the notifications and tap on Friend Request
- You will see a list of pending incoming requests. Tap Confirm on the ones you want to accept.
Alternatively, you can go to the recipient’s profile, tap on the requested icon below their name, and tap Confirm.
Rejecting Friend Requests
If you do not want to accept a friend request from someone, you can simply reject it:
- From the Notification tab, tap on Reject on that specific friend request
- Go to the person’s profile, tap the requested icon, and select Reject Request
This will delete the incoming request and they will no longer be able to send you another request unless you add them first.
Unfriending or Blocking Someone
If you no longer want to be connected with someone on Facebook, you can either unfriend or block them:
- Unfriending – Removes them from your friends list but does not prevent all interactions
- Blocking – Removes them and prevents any further interactions
To unfriend someone:
- Go to their profile page
- Tap on the Friends button below their name
- Select Unfriend from the popup menu
To block someone:
- Go to their profile page
- Tap on the More button (three dots)
- Select Block from the menu
Troubleshooting Friend Requests
Here are some common troubleshooting tips for friend requests on Facebook for iPhone:
- If the Add Friend button is missing – Go to your account settings and make sure you allowed friend requests
- If your sent requests are not showing up – Check that you did not already send them a request
- If not getting notifications – Check the Notification settings for the Facebook app and make sure Friend Requests are enabled
- If requested icon does not appear – Refresh the page by scrolling up and down
- If already friends but shows Add Friend – Try refresing both your profiles
- If error sending requests – Check your internet connection
Using Facebook Messenger to Connect
In addition to sending friend requests directly on Facebook, you can also use Facebook Messenger to connect with people:
- Search for their name or profile in the Messenger search bar
- Tap on their result to open up a Messenger thread
- Send them an initial message to connect
This allows you to communicate with someone even if they have not accepted your friend request yet.
Connecting with Friends Using Facebook Groups or Events
Some other ways you can connect with people on Facebook without directly sending them friend requests include:
- Joining common Facebook groups and interacting with members
- Getting invited and participating in Facebook events
- Commenting on public posts you are tagged in or interested in
- Following public figures, brands, or businesses to see their updates
These types of connections allow you to engage with new people in more casual way before deciding to officially friend them.
Conclusion
Sending and accepting friend requests is easy on the Facebook mobile app for iPhone. Just tap the Add Friend button, confirm sending the request, then wait for the recipient to accept it. Make sure to also accept or reject any incoming requests promptly. Maintaining your friends list and making new connections is crucial for getting the most out of Facebook. With the tips above, you will be able to master the friend request features on iPhone.