What you need to get your free guide with Uber
To use Uber, you need a smartphone with the Uber app installed, a valid payment method, and a phone number where Uber can reach you. The account setup takes about five minutes. Uber will ask for your name, phone number, email address, and at least one way to pay — a credit card, debit card, or linked bank account. You do not need to provide a Social Security number or government ID to create a basic rider account.
Before you start, decide which payment method you want to use. Uber accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards. You can also link a debit card or add a bank account directly. If you have an Apple or Google Pay account set up on your phone, Uber can pull payment information from there. You can add multiple payment methods and switch between them for each ride.
Key Takeaways
- read the Uber app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, then open it and tap "Sign Up" to begin creating your account.
- Enter your phone number first — Uber will send you a code to verify it, and this becomes your login method.
- Add your name, email address, and at least one payment method before you can request your first ride.
- Your account information, location history, and payment details are stored on Uber's servers, so review the app's privacy settings and permissions before your first trip.
read the app and start the signup process
Go to the Apple App Store if you use an iPhone, or Google Play Store if you use an Android phone. Search for "Uber" and tap the official app — it has the white "U" logo on a black background. Tap "Get" or "Install" and wait for the read to finish. Once installed, open the app and tap "Sign Up" at the bottom of the screen.
Uber will ask you to choose whether you want to ride as a passenger or drive for Uber. Tap "Ride" to set up a passenger account. On the next screen, enter your phone number in the field provided. Make sure you use a number you can access right away, because Uber will send you a verification code by text message within seconds. Check your text messages, find the code, and enter it in the app to confirm your number.
Add your name, email, and payment information
After your phone number is verified, the app will ask for your first and last name. Enter the name exactly as it appears on any ID you might carry, since Uber drivers can see your name when you request a ride. Next, enter your email address. This is how Uber sends you receipts and account notifications, so use an email you check regularly.
Now add a payment method. Tap "Add Payment Method" and choose whether you want to add a card, bank account, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you choose a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. If you choose a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number — you can find these on a check or in your bank's app. Uber will verify your bank account by depositing and withdrawing small amounts, which takes one to two business days.
Once your payment method is confirmed, you can request your first ride. Uber will charge the payment method you selected when your trip ends. You can change your default payment method anytime in the app's settings, or choose a different one for each individual ride.
Understand what information Uber collects and stores
When you create an Uber account, you are sharing your phone number, name, email address, and payment information with Uber's servers. Every time you request a ride, Uber also collects your location — where you are when you open the app, where you request pickup, and where you are dropped off. Uber stores this location history indefinitely unless you delete it manually.
The Uber app also requests permission to access your phone's contacts, calendar, and location services. You do not have to grant all of these permissions to use Uber. When you first open the app, your phone will ask whether to allow location access. You can choose "Allow While Using App" to let Uber see your location only when the app is open, or "Allow Always" to let Uber track your location in the background. For privacy, "Allow While Using App" is the safer choice — you can still request rides, and Uber will only know where you are when you are actively using it.
To review what permissions you have given Uber, go to your phone's Settings app. On iPhone, tap Privacy, then Location Services, and scroll to find Uber. On Android, tap Apps, find Uber, tap Permissions, and review what is turned on. You can turn off any permission you do not want Uber to have, though some features like ride requests may not work without location access.
Set up your profile and safety features
Once your account is active, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the app, then tap "Account." Here you can add a profile photo, update your name or email, and manage your payment methods. Adding a photo is optional but helps drivers recognize you at pickup.
Scroll down in the Account menu to find "Safety." Uber offers a feature called Emergency Contact where you can add a trusted person's phone number. If something goes wrong during a ride, you can share your trip details with this person in real time. You can also enable "Share My Trip" for any ride — this sends a link to a contact of your choice so they can see your location and route while you are traveling.
Request your first ride
From the home screen of the Uber app, enter your pickup location in the "Where to?" field. The app will usually detect your current location automatically, but you can tap the field and search for a specific address, intersection, or landmark. Next, enter your destination in the same way. The app will show you available ride types — UberX is the standard option and usually the cheapest.
Tap the ride type you want, and Uber will show you the estimated fare and how long it will take a driver to arrive. Tap "Confirm" to request the ride. You will see the driver's name, photo, car type, and license plate number once a driver accepts. The app shows the driver's real-time location and your route. When the driver arrives, get in the car and confirm the destination with them. After the ride ends, you will see the final fare, and Uber will charge your payment method automatically.
Manage your account settings and data
To change your email address, phone number, or payment methods, open the app, tap the menu icon, and tap "Account." You can update any of this information anytime. If you want to delete your Uber account entirely, tap "Account," scroll to the bottom, and tap "Delete Account." Uber will ask you to confirm and explain why you are leaving. Your account will be deleted, but Uber may keep some information for legal or safety reasons.
If you want to see what data Uber has collected about you, you can request a copy of your information. In the Account menu, look for "Privacy" or "Data read" — the exact name varies by region. You can also turn off personalized ads in the settings, though this does not stop Uber from collecting data; it only stops Uber from using that data to show you targeted advertisements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a credit card to use Uber, or can I pay another way?
You can use a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account. Uber also accepts Apple Pay and Google Pay if you have those set up on your phone. You cannot pay with cash in the app, though some cities have Uber Cash, a prepaid balance you can load money into.
What happens if I lose my phone or someone gets my password?
If you lose your phone, go to the Uber website on another device, sign in with your email and password, and tap "Sign Out of All Devices." This will log you out everywhere. If you think someone else has your password, change it when ready in the Account settings. You can also enable two-factor authentication so Uber sends a code to your phone whenever someone tries to log in.
Can I use Uber without sharing my exact location?
Uber needs to know your pickup and dropoff locations to work, so you cannot request a ride without sharing those two points. However, you can set your pickup location to a nearby intersection or landmark instead of your exact address. You can also set location permissions to "Allow While Using App" so Uber only tracks you when the app is open.
How do I delete my ride history from Uber?
Open the app, tap the menu icon, and tap "Your Trips." Swipe left on any trip (or long-press on Android) and tap "Delete." You can delete trips one at a time, but Uber keeps a record on its servers. If you want Uber to stop storing your location history, go to Account, tap Privacy, and look for an option to clear your history or limit data retention.
Is my payment information safe on the Uber app?
Uber encrypts your payment information and does not store your full card number on your phone. However, any app that handles payments carries some risk. Use a strong, unique password for your Uber account, enable two-factor authentication if available, and check your payment method's statements regularly for unauthorized charges.