TL;DR: Kik works on usernames, not phone numbers. People find you by searching your exact username or scanning your Kik Code, and public groups are searchable. Messages from people you haven't chatted with land in New Chats, with images blurred. Keep your username and Kik Code off public profiles, skip contact matching, and block and report anyone who makes you uncomfortable.
How people find you on Kik
According to ConnectSafely's parent guide to Kik:
- Username: you pick it, it isn't publicly linked to your phone number or real name, and it can't be changed once set. Anyone who knows it can search for you.
- Kik Code: every user has a scannable code. Codes can be posted online, emailed or printed, so wherever you share it, strangers can use it.
- Contacts: Kik can optionally check your phone contacts for other Kik users. You can skip this.
- Public groups are searchable and anyone can join if there's room. Private groups need an invite.
There's no reliable “Kik user lookup” that reveals who is behind a username. Sites claiming to do so mostly match usernames across platforms; see how a username search works. Reusing your Kik name on Instagram, Reddit or gaming accounts makes you easy to trace.
What other people can see
- Your display name, username and profile photo (the photo is visible to anyone).
- Not your email address, date of birth or phone number.
Kik doesn't verify the details people enter at sign-up, so anyone can claim to be anyone.
New Chats: Kik's stranger filter
Messages from people you haven't chatted with before go to New Chats, where pictures, videos and the sender's profile photo are blurred. The Wisconsin DOJ Kik safety guide notes you can mute New Chats so you don't get messages from people you haven't spoken to, or choose to chat, block or delete.
Block and report
- Block: hides the conversation; you can unblock later.
- Report: in a chat, tap the person's display name, open the three-dot menu and choose Report User. Kik doesn't tell them who reported them, and reports can include recent chat history for context.
For parents
Kik's minimum age is 13, but birthdays aren't verified. Anonymous usernames and searchable public groups make it easy for strangers to start conversations. Talk about never sharing a Kik Code publicly, never moving to a video chat with someone they met online, and telling you if anyone asks for photos. Our guides to protecting teens from online scams and teaching teens about their digital footprint cover the conversation.
Usernames, emails and phone numbers often leak together in breaches. A free email exposure check shows whether your email is in one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find someone on Kik?
Search their exact Kik username or scan their Kik Code. Kik has no public directory of names.
Can someone find my Kik by my phone number?
Kik can optionally match your phone contacts to find friends, but your phone number is not shown to other users. You can skip contact matching.
Can I change my Kik username?
No. ConnectSafely notes the username cannot be changed once set, so choose one that does not identify you.
What is New Chats on Kik?
A separate inbox for messages from people you have not chatted with before. Images are blurred until you choose to chat, and you can block or delete.
Is Kik safe for kids?
Kik requires users to be 13 or older but does not verify ages. Anonymous usernames and public groups mean parents should set clear rules and review contacts.