Get Uber on your phone in three minutes

The Uber app lives in your phone's app store — either the Apple App Store if you have an iPhone, or Google Play if you have an Android phone. You search for "Uber", tap the button to download it, wait for the installation to finish, then open the app and sign in with your email or phone number. The whole process takes about three minutes on a decent internet connection.

You do not need to own an Uber account before you download. The app will walk you through creating one the first time you open it, and you can add a payment method right there. If you already have an Uber account from using the website, you can just sign in with those same login details.

Key Takeaways

  • Search for "Uber" in your phone's app store — Apple App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Android — and tap the download button.
  • Wait for the app to finish installing, which usually takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed.
  • Open the app and create a new account or sign in with an existing one using your email address or phone number.
  • Add a payment method (debit card, credit card, or linked bank account) before you request your first ride.
  • Make sure your phone's location services are turned on, or the app cannot find drivers near you.

Download Uber on an iPhone

Open the App Store app on your iPhone — it has a blue background with a white symbol that looks like stacked squares. Tap the search icon at the bottom right of the screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type "Uber" in the search box and tap the search button on your keyboard.

When the Uber app appears in the results, tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow next to it. Your phone will ask you to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password — use whichever one your phone normally uses to unlock. The icon will change to show a progress circle while the app downloads and installs. Once it finishes, the icon will change to say "Open". Tap "Open" to start the app for the first time.

Download Uber on an Android phone

Open Google Play on your Android phone — it has a white background with a colorful triangle symbol. Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type "Uber" in the search box and tap the search button on your keyboard.

When the official Uber app appears in the results, tap the green "Install" button. Your phone may ask you to confirm that you want to install an app from Google Play — tap "Install" again if it does. A progress bar will show while the app downloads and installs. Once it finishes, the green "Install" button will change to say "Open". Tap "Open" to start the app for the first time.

Create your Uber account or sign in

When you open Uber for the first time, the app will ask whether you want to sign up or sign in. If you have never used Uber before, tap "Sign up". If you already have an Uber account from the website or from using Uber on another phone, tap "Sign in" and enter your email address or phone number and password.

To create a new account, enter your email address or phone number, then create a password. Uber will send you a confirmation code to your email or phone — check your messages and enter that code into the app. Then add your first name, last name, and a payment method. You can use a debit card, credit card, or a linked bank account. Uber will not charge you until you request your first ride.

Turn on location services before your first ride

Before you can request a ride, Uber needs permission to see where you are. When you open the app for the first time, it will ask "Allow Uber to access your location?" Tap "Allow While Using App" or "Allow" (the exact wording depends on your phone type). This lets Uber find drivers near you without tracking your location when the app is closed.

If you accidentally tap "Don't Allow", you can turn it on later. On iPhone, go to Settings, scroll down and tap Uber, then tap Location and choose "While Using the App". On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find and tap Uber, tap Permissions, tap Location, and choose "Allow only while using the app". Without location services on, the app will not show you available drivers or let you request a ride.

Troubleshoot if the download gets stuck

If the download seems frozen or is taking longer than five minutes, check your internet connection first. Switch to WiFi if you are using mobile data, or move closer to your WiFi router if the signal is weak. Then try closing the app store completely and opening it again to restart the download.

If the download still will not work, restart your phone. Hold down the power button until you see the power-off screen, then slide to power off (or tap "Power Off" depending on your phone). Wait ten seconds, then hold the power button again until your phone turns back on. Open the app store and try downloading Uber again. If you still have trouble, make sure your phone has at least 200 megabytes of free storage space — go to Settings and check how much space is available.

What to do if you see an error message

If you see "This app is not available in your country" or "This item cannot be installed in your country", Uber may not operate in your location. Uber is available in most major cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, but not everywhere. Check the Uber website to see if service is available where you are.

If you see "Insufficient storage" or "Not enough space", your phone does not have room for the app. Delete photos, videos, or other apps you no longer use, then try downloading Uber again. If you see "Network error" or "Connection failed", check that you are connected to WiFi or mobile data, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Uber cost money to download?

No. The Uber app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play. You only pay when you request a ride. Uber charges per trip based on distance and time, plus any surge pricing if demand is high.

Can I download Uber on a tablet?

Yes. Tablets with iOS or Android can download Uber the same way phones do — search the App Store or Google Play, tap download, and wait for installation. You will need a phone number or email to create an account, but you can use the app on your tablet to request rides.

What if I do not have a credit card?

Uber accepts debit cards and linked bank accounts in addition to credit cards. During account setup, you can choose to link your bank account directly instead of entering a card number. Some cities also allow payment through digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Do I need WiFi to use Uber, or does mobile data work?

Mobile data works fine. You do not need WiFi to download or use Uber. However, a strong connection — whether WiFi or mobile data — helps the app find drivers faster and keeps your ride information up to date.

Can I download Uber on someone else's phone and use my account?

Yes. Download the app on their phone, open it, and sign in with your email and password. Your account and payment method will load on their phone. When you are done, sign out so your account information is not left on their device.