When you want to add a friend on Discord Mobile but don’t have their user ID or a mutual server, searching by their full username including the discriminator tag is the most direct method. Discord uses a unique combination of a username and a four-digit tag like Username#1234 to identify each account. Without the correct tag, the search may return no results or the wrong person. This article explains exactly how to use the mobile app to find and send a friend request using a username and tag.
Key Takeaways: Finding Friends on Discord Mobile by Username
- Friends tab > Add Friend: The only menu path to search by username and tag on mobile.
- Full username + #0000 tag: You must enter the exact tag number; without it, the search fails.
- Friend request sent notification: Confirms the request was sent; you cannot retract it from the search screen.
How Discord Usernames and Tags Work on Mobile
Discord uses a two-part identifier for every account: a display name and a discriminator tag. The display name is the name you choose, such as GamerGirl. The discriminator is a four-digit number from #0001 to #9999 that Discord assigns to distinguish accounts with the same display name. To find a specific person, you need both parts in the format DisplayName#1234.
If you only know the display name without the tag, Discord will not show any matching results in the Add Friend search. This is because thousands of users may share the same display name. The tag is the only way to pinpoint the exact account. You can find a friend’s tag by asking them directly, checking their profile if you are already in a mutual server, or looking at the bottom of their profile card in a direct message.
What Happens When You Search Without the Tag
Typing only the display name into the Add Friend search bar produces a blank result screen. Discord does not show a list of possible matches or suggest accounts. The app will display the message “No results found” or simply remain empty. This is not a bug — it is by design to prevent random friend requests and protect user privacy.
Steps to Find and Add a Friend on Discord Mobile Using Their Username
- Open Discord and tap the Friends tab
Launch the Discord app on your iPhone or Android device. Tap the Friends icon located at the bottom of the screen. It looks like two silhouettes and is the second icon from the left in the navigation bar. - Tap the Add Friend button
At the top of the Friends screen, tap the Add Friend button. It is a person icon with a plus sign. This opens the search interface where you can type a username. - Enter the full username and tag
In the text field labeled You can add a friend with their Discord tag, type the complete username and discriminator tag. The format must be exactly DisplayName#1234. Do not include spaces. The tag is case-sensitive for the letters but the display name is not. For example, Alex#5678 works even if the friend’s display name is ALEX. - Tap the Send Friend Request button
After entering the correct username and tag, a button labeled Send Friend Request appears below the search field. Tap it. The button changes to Friend Request Sent and the friend’s avatar appears in the search results area. - Wait for the friend to accept
Your friend will receive a notification in the Pending section of their Friends tab. Once they accept, the new friend appears in your main Friends list. You cannot cancel the request from the mobile search screen. If you sent it to the wrong person, ask them to decline the request.
Common Mistakes When Searching by Username on Discord Mobile
“I typed the username correctly but no results show”
The most common cause is an incorrect discriminator tag. Double-check the tag with your friend. Also ensure you typed the # symbol between the display name and the tag. If you omit the #, the search will not work. Try copying the full tag from a message your friend sent in a mutual server.
“I can’t find the Add Friend button”
If you do not see the Add Friend button, you may be on the wrong screen. Tap the Friends tab at the bottom of the app. The Friends tab shows three sub-tabs: Online, All, Pending, and Blocked. The Add Friend button appears at the top of the All tab by default. If you are on the Online tab, the button is still visible at the top right corner.
“The search shows a different person”
This happens when you entered the wrong tag that belongs to another account. Verify the tag by asking your friend to send you their exact Discord tag in a message. You can also check their profile by tapping on their avatar in a mutual server and looking at the # number at the bottom of their profile card.
“I sent a friend request to the wrong person”
Discord mobile does not provide a way to retract a sent friend request from the search screen. You have two options: ask the recipient to decline the request, or block the person and then unblock them. Blocking removes the pending request. To block, go to your Friends tab, tap Pending, find the request, tap the person’s avatar, tap the three-dot menu, and select Block. After blocking, you can unblock them from User Settings > Privacy & Safety > Blocked Users.
Discord Mobile Friend Search: Username vs User ID
| Item | Username + Tag | User ID |
|---|---|---|
| Format | DisplayName#1234 | 18-digit numeric string like 123456789012345678 |
| Where to use | Friends > Add Friend search bar | Not usable in Add Friend search; only for API or bot commands |
| Visibility | Visible to everyone on a user’s profile | Hidden; must be retrieved via Developer Mode |
| Works on mobile | Yes, directly in the app | No, cannot add friends by User ID on mobile |
| Ease of use | Easy with correct tag | Difficult; requires enabling Developer Mode and copying ID |
If you need to find a friend who changed their username or tag, ask them to share their current tag via another messaging platform or check a mutual server where their profile is visible. The Friends tab search only works with the exact current tag.