What Uber does and how to start
Uber is a smartphone process that connects you with drivers who own their own cars. You request a ride through the app, a driver accepts it, and they pick you up at your location and take you to where you want to go. You pay through the app — no cash, no conversation about the fare beforehand. The app shows you the driver's name, photo, car type, and real-time location as they approach.
To use Uber, you need a smartphone with either iOS (Apple) or Android (Google), a working internet connection, and a payment method linked to the app — usually a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account. You also need to be in a city where Uber operates. Uber is available in most major U.S. cities and many cities worldwide, but not everywhere.
Key Takeaways
- read the Uber app, create an account with your phone number and email, and add a payment method before you can request your first ride.
- When you open the app, it uses your phone's location to show available drivers nearby and estimate how much the ride will cost.
- The app assigns a driver to you automatically — you do not choose which driver accepts your request, and drivers do not choose which passengers to pick up based on name or appearance.
- Your location data, payment information, and ride history are stored by Uber, and you can control some privacy settings in the app's account menu.
Setting up your account and payment method
read the Uber app from the Apple App Store (if you have an iPhone) or Google Play Store (if you have an Android phone). Open the app and tap "Sign Up." Enter your phone number, and Uber will send you a text message with a verification code. Type that code into the app to confirm your number.
Next, add your first name, last name, and email address. Create a password. Then add a payment method: tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to "Payment," and add a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account. Uber will charge this payment method after each ride. You can add multiple payment methods and switch between them before you request a ride.
Some cities let you add a phone number for a family member or friend as an emergency contact. This person can see your ride location in real time if you share it with them. You can turn this on or off in the app's safety settings.
How to request and track a ride
Open the Uber app and allow it to access your location. The app will show a map with your current location marked. Tap the search box at the top and type or say your destination address. The app will show you the estimated fare and how many minutes a driver is likely to arrive.
Tap "Request UberX" (or whichever service type appears — UberX is the standard option). The app will search for nearby drivers and send your request to them. A driver will accept within seconds to a few minutes. Once a driver accepts, you will see their name, photo, car type, license plate, and a live map showing their location and route to you.
Watch the map as the driver approaches. When they arrive, look for the car's license plate and color to confirm it is the right vehicle. Get in, and the app will show your route to the destination. The driver can see your destination address but cannot change it. When you arrive, the app will show your final fare, and the payment will process automatically.
Understanding what data Uber collects and stores
Uber stores your phone number, email address, payment information, and the location where you request each ride. It also stores your destination address, the time of day you traveled, how long the ride took, and how much you paid. This information stays in Uber's servers even after the ride is complete.
Uber uses your location data to show drivers where to pick you up and to track your ride in real time. The app must have permission to access your phone's location while you are using it. You can check which apps have location permission by going to your phone's Settings app, finding Privacy or Permissions, and looking at Location Services.
Uber also collects data about how you use the app — which buttons you tap, how long you spend looking at the map, and whether you cancel rides. This information helps Uber improve the app and show you personalized pricing. You can read Uber's full privacy policy in the app by tapping the menu, scrolling to the bottom, and tapping "Legal."
What happens if you cancel or the driver cancels
If you cancel a ride after a driver has accepted it, Uber may charge you a cancellation fee. The fee is usually a few dollars and appears on your receipt. You can cancel without a fee if you do it within the first minute or two after requesting, before a driver accepts. Once a driver is on the way, canceling costs money.
If a driver cancels after accepting your request, you will not be charged. The app will show you a message saying the driver canceled, and you can request another ride. If a driver does not arrive within a reasonable time or goes in the wrong direction, you can cancel and request a new driver.
If you forget something in the car, tap the menu in the app, select "Your Trips," find the ride, and tap "Lost and Found." You can message the driver through the app to ask them to return your item or meet you to pick it up.
Rating drivers and handling problems during a ride
After each ride, the app will ask you to rate the driver on a scale of one to five stars. You can also leave written feedback. Drivers see your rating too — if your rating drops below a certain level, drivers may decline your requests. Ratings work both ways: drivers rate passengers, and Uber can remove either one if ratings are consistently low.
If something goes wrong during a ride — the driver takes a wrong turn, drives unsafely, or makes you uncomfortable — you can tap the menu icon (three lines) at the top of the map screen and select "Report Safety Concern" or "Report Issue." Describe what happened, and Uber will review it. For when ready safety concerns, end the ride and contact local police.
You can also report a problem after the ride is over. Go to "Your Trips," find the ride, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Report Issue." Common issues include being charged the wrong amount, the driver taking a longer route than necessary, or a safety concern. Uber will investigate and may refund you or take action against the driver.
Privacy settings and what you can control
Uber lets you control some of your privacy settings. In the app, tap the menu, go to "Settings," and look for "Privacy." You can turn off ride history sharing with contacts, limit how long Uber keeps your location data after a ride ends, and control whether Uber uses your data to show you personalized ads.
You cannot prevent Uber from collecting your location and payment data — that is required for the app to work. However, you can delete your account entirely, which removes your personal information from Uber's active systems. To delete your account, go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Delete Account." Uber will ask you to confirm, and your account will be permanently removed.
Be aware that deleting your account does not remove your data from Uber's backups or from records Uber must keep for legal reasons. If you have concerns about how Uber uses your data, you can read their full privacy policy or contact their privacy team through the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use my real name on my Uber account?
Yes. Uber requires your legal first and last name to match your payment method. Drivers see your first name only, not your full name. If your name does not match your card, the payment will be declined.
What if I do not have a smartphone or internet connection?
Uber requires a smartphone and active internet (either WiFi or mobile data) to work. There is no way to request an Uber ride without the app. Some cities have phone-based ride services, but they are separate from Uber.
Can I request a ride for someone else?
You can share your ride with someone by tapping the menu during an active ride and selecting "Share My Trip." This sends them a link to watch your location in real time. However, the ride must be requested under your account and paid with your payment method.
Why is the price higher than it was last time?
Uber uses "surge pricing," which means fares go up when many people are requesting rides at the same time. Prices are highest during rush hours, bad weather, and late nights. The app shows you the estimated fare before you request, so you can see the price before you commit.
What if the driver goes the wrong way or takes too long?
Drivers can see your destination address, but they choose their own route. If you think the driver is going significantly out of the way, you can report it after the ride through "Your Trips" and request a refund. Uber will review the route and may credit your account if the driver made a clear mistake.