You can contact your driver through the Uber app before pickup, during the ride, and for a short time after dropoff
The Uber app gives you two ways to reach your driver: a messaging feature for text-based questions and a phone call button that connects you directly. You do not need the driver's personal phone number — the app handles the connection. The messaging option appears as soon as a driver accepts your request, and the call button shows up once they are on the way to pick you up. Both features work on iPhone and Android, and both are free to use.
The timing matters. You can message a driver when ready after they accept your ride request, but you cannot call them until they have started driving toward your pickup location. After your ride ends, you have about 24 hours to contact the driver through the app if you left something behind or need to clarify something about the trip.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Uber app and tap the driver's name or photo once they have accepted your request to see the messaging and call options.
- The message button works right away, but the call button only appears once the driver is actively driving to your pickup location.
- Messages go through the Uber app and do not reveal your personal phone number to the driver.
- You can contact a driver for about 24 hours after your ride ends if you need to report a lost item or ask a follow-up question.
How to send a message to your driver
Once a driver accepts your ride request, open the Uber app and look at the top of the screen. You will see the driver's name, photo, and vehicle details. Tap anywhere on that section and a new screen will open showing the driver's location on a map. Below the map, you will see a message icon (it looks like a speech bubble) and a phone icon.
Tap the message icon to open a text box. Type your message — for example, "I'm running 5 minutes late" or "Please honk when you arrive." The message sends through the Uber app, so the driver receives it in their driver app, not as a text to their personal phone. This keeps your phone number private. The driver can reply in the same way, and you will see their response in the app.
Messages work best for questions that do not need an when ready answer, like letting the driver know you are still getting ready or asking them to wait a moment. If you need to reach the driver urgently, use the call button instead.
How to call your driver
The call button appears only once the driver has started driving toward your pickup location. You will see it in the same place as the message icon — below the map on the driver's information screen. Tap the phone icon to call the driver directly. The call connects through Uber's system, which means the driver sees your call coming from Uber, not from your personal number.
Calls are useful when you need to give directions, warn the driver about a tricky entrance, or let them know you are on your way down from an apartment building. The driver can also call you if they cannot find your pickup location or need to ask a question. If you miss a call from the driver, you can call them back using the same phone icon in the app.
The call button disappears once your ride is complete, so you cannot call the driver after dropoff. If you need to reach them after the ride ends, use the messaging feature instead.
What to do if the driver does not respond
If you message the driver and they do not reply within a few minutes, they may be focused on driving or dealing with traffic. It is normal for responses to take a few minutes. If the driver is not responding and you are concerned about your pickup, you can cancel the ride and request a new driver. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "Your Trips," find the current ride, and tap "Cancel Ride."
If you have already been picked up and the driver is not responding to a call or message about a navigation issue, you can pull up the route on your own phone's map app and give directions verbally. If there is a safety concern during the ride, do not rely on messaging — ask the driver to pull over or use your phone to call 911 directly.
Contacting a driver after your ride ends
After you are dropped off, the messaging feature stays active for about 24 hours. This window is meant for reporting lost items or clarifying something about the trip. Tap on the completed ride in your trip history, and you will see the message option. The driver will receive your message in their app, but they are not required to respond.
If you left something in the car, message the driver right away with a description of the item. Many drivers check their messages and will let you know if they found it. Some Uber drivers also have a lost and found process through the app — you may see an option to report a lost item directly when you view the trip details. If the driver does not respond within a day or two, contact Uber support through the app by going to the trip, tapping the menu icon, and selecting "Report a Lost Item."
Why the app hides your phone number
Uber routes calls and messages through its own system so that drivers and passengers do not exchange personal phone numbers. This protects your privacy and the driver's privacy. If you need to share your number for some reason — for example, if you are arranging to meet the driver at a specific location — you can type it into a message, but you are not required to do so.
The same protection applies to the driver's information. You see their name, photo, and vehicle details, but not their personal phone number or address. This system keeps both sides of the transaction safer and more professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call a driver before they accept my ride request?
No. You can only message or call a driver after they have accepted your request. Before that, there is no driver assigned to your ride, so there is no one to contact. Once a driver accepts, the messaging feature becomes available when ready, and the call button appears once they start driving toward you.
What if I need to contact a driver but the app is not working?
If the Uber app is not loading or the call button is not appearing, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If that does not work, check that you have a stable internet connection or cellular signal. If the problem continues, contact Uber support through the app by tapping the menu icon and selecting "Help."
Can the driver see my real phone number when I call them?
No. When you call through the Uber app, the driver sees that the call is coming from Uber, not your personal number. The same is true when the driver calls you. Your actual phone number stays hidden from both sides.
What if the driver calls me but I miss the call?
You can call the driver back using the phone icon in the app. The call will connect through Uber again. If you cannot reach them and you are still waiting for pickup, you can cancel the ride and request a new driver.
Can I message a driver days after my ride to ask about a lost item?
The messaging feature works for about 24 hours after your ride ends. After that, you cannot message the driver through the app. If more than a day has passed, use the "Report a Lost Item" option in the app, which sends your report to Uber support instead of directly to the driver.