Getting Started With Uber Eats

To sign up for Uber Eats, you read the app or visit the website, enter your email address or phone number, create a password, and add a payment method. The whole process takes about five minutes. Once your account is set up, you can search for restaurants in your area, browse menus, add items to your cart, and place an order for delivery or pickup.

You do not need to be an existing Uber user to sign up for Uber Eats, though if you already have an Uber account, you can use the same login. Uber Eats is available in most major U.S. cities and many smaller ones, but coverage varies by location — you can check whether it serves your address before you create an account.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Uber Eats app or go to ubereats.com, then sign up with your email, phone number, or existing Uber account.
  • You will need to add a payment method — a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account — before you can place an order.
  • Enter your delivery address to see which restaurants are available in your area and what their current delivery times are.
  • Most orders arrive within 30 to 45 minutes, though delivery time depends on restaurant distance, current demand, and traffic.
  • You can track your order in real time once a driver has picked it up from the restaurant.

read the App or Use the Website

The Uber Eats app is available on iPhone through the Apple App Store and on Android through Google Play. Search for "Uber Eats," tap the official app (the one with the green Uber Eats logo), and tap "Get" or "Install." On Android, you may need to tap "Install" and then grant the app permission to access your location.

If you prefer not to read an app, you can also sign up at ubereats.com in any web browser. The website works the same way as the app, though the app is generally faster and lets you receive push notifications when your order is ready or out for delivery.

Create Your Account

Open the app or website and tap "Sign Up" or "Create Account." You will see three options: sign up with your email address, sign up with your phone number, or sign in with an existing Uber account. Choose whichever is easiest for you.

If you sign up with email, enter a valid email address and create a password that is at least eight characters long. If you sign up with your phone number, Uber will text you a code to confirm it is yours. If you already have an Uber account (the ride-sharing service), you can tap "Sign in with Uber" and use those same login details — your Uber Eats account will be linked to your existing Uber profile.

After you confirm your email or phone number, Uber will ask for your name and date of birth. Enter the information as it appears on your ID, since Uber uses this to verify your identity for payment purposes.

Add Your Delivery Address and Payment Method

Once your account is created, Uber will ask where you want food delivered. Enter your street address, apartment number (if you have one), and any delivery instructions — for example, "Ring the doorbell twice" or "Leave at front door." Uber uses this address to show you which restaurants can deliver to you and how long delivery will take.

Next, add a payment method. Tap "Add Payment Method" and choose from a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account. Enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back), or link your bank account by entering your routing and account numbers. Uber will charge your payment method when you place an order. You can add multiple payment methods and choose which one to use for each order.

Browse Restaurants and Place Your Order

Once your address and payment method are saved, you will see a list of restaurants available for delivery or pickup in your area. You can scroll through them, search by cuisine type (pizza, sushi, burgers, etc.), or sort by delivery time or rating. Tap a restaurant to see its full menu, hours, and current delivery estimate.

Add items to your cart by tapping them and selecting size, toppings, or other options. Most restaurants let you add special instructions — for example, "no onions" or "extra sauce." When you are done adding items, tap "View Cart," review your order, and tap "Checkout." Confirm your delivery address and payment method, then tap "Place Order."

Uber will show you a confirmation screen with your order number and estimated delivery time. You will also receive an email and push notification confirming the order. From that point, you can track your order in the app — you will see when the restaurant starts preparing it, when a driver picks it up, and where the driver is as they deliver it to you.

What Happens After You Order

After you place an order, the restaurant receives it and begins preparing your food. This usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how busy the restaurant is and what you ordered. Once the food is ready, a delivery driver will pick it up and bring it to your address. Delivery typically takes 15 to 30 minutes from pickup, though this varies based on distance, traffic, and current demand.

You can message the driver directly through the app if you need to give them special instructions — for example, if your building does not have a street-facing entrance. Most drivers will call or text when they are a few minutes away. When they arrive, they will leave your order at your door or hand it to you directly, depending on what you chose during checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tip the driver?

Tipping is optional but encouraged. You can add a tip when you place your order, or you can tip the driver in cash when they arrive. You can also add or change the tip within one hour of placing your order through the app.

What if my order arrives late or is wrong?

Open the app, go to your order history, tap the order that had a problem, and select "Report an Issue." Describe what went wrong — missing items, wrong items, or late delivery — and Uber will usually refund you or issue a credit to your account within a few days.

Can I change my order after I place it?

It depends on how quickly the restaurant starts preparing it. If you place an order and when ready realize you made a mistake, open the app and tap "Cancel Order" right away. If the restaurant has already started cooking, you will not be able to cancel, but you can contact the driver or restaurant through the app to explain the issue.

Is there a minimum order amount?

Most restaurants on Uber Eats have a minimum order amount, usually between $10 and $15, though this varies. You will see the minimum listed on the restaurant's page before you add items to your cart. If your cart is below the minimum, you will not be able to check out.

What payment methods does Uber Eats accept?

Uber Eats accepts major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), linked bank accounts, and in some areas, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also use Uber Cash if you have loaded money into that account through the Uber app.