How do I search for people on MyFitnessPal?

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to user data, having a support network significantly increases accountability and motivation, with MyFitnessPal users who connect with friends being more consistent. This guide will detail exactly how do I search for people on MyFitnessPal to build your personal support system.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the process for locating specific users on MyFitnessPal through usernames, email addresses, and community forums. Instructions cover both the mobile app and website for adding friends and expanding your fitness network.

Key Points

Username Search: Search for people on MyFitnessPal by using their exact username on both the app and the website.
Email Invitation: Use a friend's email address to send them a friend request directly from the app or website.
Check Your Contacts: On the mobile app, you can sync your phone contacts to easily find and add friends already using MyFitnessPal.
Website Profile URL: For a fast website search, append a known username to https://www.myfitnesspal.com/profile/ to navigate directly to their page.
Community Groups: Find new connections by exploring MyFitnessPal's community forums and groups, and add users who participate in discussions.
Cross-Platform Search: The search process differs slightly between the mobile app and the website, but both offer similar core functionalities for adding friends.

How to Search for People on the MyFitnessPal App

For most users, the mobile app is the primary way to interact with MyFitnessPal. The process for adding a friend is straightforward once you know where to look.

Searching by Username or Email

Open the MyFitnessPal app on your iOS or Android device.
Navigate to the 'More' menu, which is typically located in the bottom right corner.
Tap on the 'Friends' option.
In the top right corner of the Friends screen, tap the '+' symbol or 'Add Friends' icon.
Select the 'Email or MyFitnessPal Username' option.
Enter the exact username or email address of the person you want to add.
Fill in your name or username in the designated field.
Tap the checkmark in the upper right-hand corner to send the friend request. The request will appear in the other user's account for them to accept.

Adding from Phone Contacts

MyFitnessPal also allows you to find friends who are already in your phone's contact list, provided their email address is associated with their MFP account.

Follow steps 1-4 from the previous section to get to the 'Add Friends' screen.
Select the option to 'Add from Contacts' or a similar contact sync feature.
Grant MyFitnessPal permission to access your contacts when prompted.
The app will display a list of your contacts who are also MyFitnessPal members, allowing you to send an invitation easily.

How to Search for People on the MyFitnessPal Website

While the app is convenient, some users prefer the desktop experience for managing their accounts. The website offers a slightly different, but equally effective, method for searching for people.

Finding a User by Profile URL

The most direct way to find a specific person on the website is by using their username to construct a direct profile link. This is especially useful if you already know their username.

Log into your account on the MyFitnessPal website.
Use the following URL format: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/profile/
Add the user's exact username to the end of the URL. For example, https://www.myfitnesspal.com/profile/MFPUsername.
Press enter, and you will be taken directly to their profile page.
Click the 'Add as Friend' button to send a request.

Inviting by Email via the Community Tab

If you don't know the user's username but have their email address, you can use the website's built-in invitation tool.

Log into the MyFitnessPal website.
Click on the 'Community' tab at the top of the page.
Select 'Invite Friends' from the options.
Fill out the form with your friend's email address and your details.
Send the invitation, and if they are an existing member, they will receive a friend request.

Search Method Comparison: App vs. Website


Feature	Mobile App (iOS/Android)	MyFitnessPal Website	What It's Best For
Username Search	Yes, via `More > Friends > +`	Yes, via `URL: /profile/username`	Quick, direct lookup if the username is known.
Email Search	Yes, via `More > Friends > +`	Yes, via `Community > Invite Friends`	Sending requests to friends with known email addresses.
Contact Sync	Yes, integrates with phone contacts	No	Finding friends who are already in your phone's address book.
Community Search	Not directly for members	Yes, via `Community > Search > Members`	Finding new people within the wider MFP community.
Convenience	Highly convenient for on-the-go	Better for more involved searches and profile viewing	Daily use and quick requests vs. detailed searching.

Finding Members in MyFitnessPal Community Groups

Beyond direct searches, MyFitnessPal offers a robust community section where you can find new people to connect with. Users can view profiles of other members who post in discussion threads or within specific groups.

Navigate to the 'Community' section within the app or website.
Find a discussion or a group that interests you, such as one focused on weight loss or specific diets.
Click on a user's profile photo next to their post to view their profile.
Once on their profile, you can send them a friend request.

Troubleshooting Common Search Issues

I can't find my friend's username. What can I do?

Sometimes usernames are difficult to remember or are private. If you have trouble, try asking your friend to send you a direct link to their profile or ask for their email address. Remember that usernames can only contain letters, numbers, or underscores.

My friend has a private profile. Can I still add them?

Yes, you can still send a friend request to a user with a private profile. They will receive your request and can choose to accept or decline it. They may have limited privacy settings, meaning you won't be able to view their diary unless they approve.

I sent an invitation, but my friend never received it.

First, have your friend check their email's spam or junk folder. The email may have been filtered. Alternatively, they may have a setting that prevents them from being found by email. A direct friend request using a username is often more reliable.

The Power of Community in Your Fitness Journey

Building a social network on MyFitnessPal can be a powerful tool for maintaining momentum. Seeing your friends' progress, sharing recipes, and participating in group challenges creates a sense of shared purpose that can make achieving goals more engaging and sustainable.

Optional Outbound Link: For more in-depth information and official support on adding members, visit the official MyFitnessPal support page.

Conclusion

Whether you use the mobile app or the website, searching for and adding people on MyFitnessPal is a straightforward process. By leveraging usernames, emails, and community features, you can quickly build a network of support that will help keep you motivated on your fitness journey. With consistent engagement, the social aspect of MyFitnessPal can be a game-changer for achieving your health and wellness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot search for people using their real name. You must use their MyFitnessPal username or email address to find them directly. In community groups, you might see their display name, but direct search is limited to username and email.

Yes, you can link your MyFitnessPal and Facebook accounts to find friends who have also linked their accounts. The option to link your account is typically available in the settings or during the setup process.

You can still send a friend request to a private profile. The user will receive the request and can decide whether or not to accept it. Their privacy settings determine what you can see, such as their food diary, once you are friends.

The best way is to ask the person for their specific MyFitnessPal username. If you met them in a community group, you can also try to view their profile from their post, but getting the username directly is the most reliable method.

When sending email invitations from the website, you can often enter multiple email addresses. For other methods like username search, you will typically need to send one request at a time.

Adding friends provides a support system that increases accountability and motivation. You can share your progress, view each other's food diaries (if they allow it), and receive encouragement, which helps with consistency.

First, ask your friend to check their spam folder for the invitation email. If they are already a member, confirm their email address or username is correct. Sometimes, sending a direct request via username is more effective.