Driving with Uber is a great opportunity to make some extra cash or even provide a significant income.
Getting started does require that you have access to a qualified vehicle or rental vehicle as well as a smartphone with adequate bandwidth capabilities.
These days, options boil down to just a few options, which we will get into later and describe a few of the pros and cons for each.
Uber’s Phone Requirements for Drivers
- Each driver must have their own smartphone with its own designated SIM card, so they have access to the Internet, email, Whatsapp, and other channels of communication.
- Drivers must use iPhones with iOS 11.0 or higher, and Android version 5 or higher.
- Phones that are used by Drivers must also have a minimum of 2GB of data available every month. Luckily, Uber added VOiP services on their app to allow drivers and riders to call and message freely.
iPhone, Samsung, or Pixel?
Uber allows every type of smartphone with broadband capabilities, SIM card, and GPS capabilities to be used on their platform. However, most phone options for people come down to an Apple or Android device.
Note: with just about any of these phones, you’ll be able to download the free Gridwise app, where you can:
- Effortlessly track all of your rideshare miles to maximize your tax deduction
- Save time by receiving alerts when passengers are arriving at your local airport and check the queue length from anywhere
- See how your earnings break down across services so you know where to focus more of your time on the road
- Compare your earnings to other drivers in your area
- Get alerts about local traffic, weather, and large events going on in your city
- Easily switch between apps from anywhere on your phone (Android only)
Not too bad for a free app huh?
Click here to download the Gridwise app today.
In short, the Uber app isn’t extremely taxing, so capability isn’t much of an issue. Instead, priority was given to phones that are user-friendly and offer a sufficient display for finding your next customer and where they are headed.
Apple
Apple seems to be the most popular smartphone available. This is mostly due to Apple creating a seamless experience on the phone that most people are comfortable with. Apple has been extremely competitive as of late with battery life and is held as the best in the industry in terms of charge.
Pros:
- Battery Life
- Simple Design
Cons:
- Price
- If you use the driver app on an iPhone not updated to iOS 11 or above, notifications about new trip requests may occasionally not display correctly.
Samsung
Samsung is the second most popular phone option and includes a few more features that some find lacking in the others. Samsung phones are historically known for their cameras and the most recent phones feature up to 5 cameras! You can download the Uber Driver app on any Android device that is 2013 or newer and runs version 5 or higher.
Pros:
- Camera capabilities
- Screen Size
Cons:
- Price
Google Pixel
Lately, Google’s phone has become a third contender in popular phones and for good reason! The affordable Pixel delivers a super low price smartphone with all the capabilities of your top name brand phones.
Pros:
- Price
- Headphone Jack (No wireless headphones or adapters needed)
Cons:
- Weak battery
- Not water resistant
Choosing the Right Phone as an Uber Driver
As you can see, while Uber does have a few requirements, there are plenty of options to choose from. From the list above, you should have no problem finding a phone that works for both your needs as a driver and in your personal life, too, no matter what kind of budget you’re working with.
As a Samsung galaxy j6 holder I been driving for 20 years and never never had a issue with my phone so why can’t we use it what’s the problem
Also what’s the problem with the new Motorola moto phone I am planning to purchase
Thanks
Pls can I use a new chip for the phone or can use my personal chip
You should ask your current provider.
I signed up last night I received a phone stating they were going to send me a back round check to fill out I never received it I’m ready to work
Hey Ronald! Sorry about that, here is the link for you to complete your background check https://app.www.hyrecar.com/profile & enjoy a free background check on us using the promo code FREEBGC at checkout!
What about lg k20 Is that a good phone to use
Can I use samsung galaxy s9 for uber driver
Hi Irfan! It would be best to check with Uber but usually, any smartphone device will work just fine. Thank you for asking!
;can i use samsung galaxy s6 for uber
As long as the phone is in good working condition you can.
I’m using a Samsung S9+ with no issues, the S9 Should work fine. I have also tested the Xiaomi Note 5 with Ubers partner app and while it says it’s not supported, it works flawlessly.
The LG G5’s GPS fails when the springs that complete the connection to the antenna get weak. Then Waze will show a fuzzy blue dot that may or may not be where you are.
Can I use Tecno spark 9
Hello good morning please am using HTC one phone which i use to perform different functions can it be used for uber, is it accepted,
Hello, If it is a smartphone and can access the apps it will work fine. Please check with uber as well if you have any questions.
Thank you for asking!
Why cant I use my galaxy so? It works on the s8 but not the s9
I use a sony xperia z3v with no problems.
It is not about a phone being user friendly cause iPhone is not user friendly . Can’t give an old person an iPhone if they never used it . Huawei and HTC are user friendly yet not recommend . We need proper info as to what the requirements are . Is it
the ram or processor
Moto G5 works great. I drive for Lyft and Uber and use Waze without any problems. Software loaded without a hitch. Not sure why it would be on the no go list.
Chris
Interested that you are using Moto G5. I am new and using and using an old Moto X. No one told me what I needed. I am having lots of problems with the Uber system and considering a new phone (which should be Republic compatible) I want to run Uber and Lyft. Any advice? Thanks.
Can i use ZTE
Can I use a Blu Vivo XI for Uber driver?
Hello Bob, you can take a look at this list of approved device for Uber https://www.uber.com/en-ZA/drive/resources/approved-devices/. I hope this helps!
What about infinix ?
Hello Aggrey, unfortunately Infinix are categorized as one of the banned devices. You can check out this link to see the complete phone requirements for Uber https://www.uber.com/en-GH/drive/resources/approved-devices/. Do you have any other device that you can use?
I wud like to ask about j4 Samsung ist good to use for uber
Hello, Samsung J4 is not amongst the banned phones according to Uber. So as long as it meets all the other phone requirements, J4 should be good to go. You can see the full requirements in this link https://www.uber.com/en-ZA/drive/resources/approved-devices/. Hope this helps!
I use the LG G5, lots of posts about the GPS antenna losing contact with the rest of the phone.
Xiaomi Devices are no longer on the banned list, but the one with the most accurate phone GPS will not work with Sprint. 🙁
https://www.phoneier.com/
Moto G5 works great. I drive for Lyft and Uber and use Waze without any problems. Software loaded without a hitch. Not sure why it would be on the no go list.
I have the Samsung j 7 which is a j series phone. It is not ban. I don’t think they ban any phones, as long as they can download the app the phone can be used. I only reached this article to see if there wer phones that worked better or had a better battery life while using uber. My phone has gotten older and the battery drains even while plugged in during uber use
This is a great article for us to explore. I, unfortunately, don’t have any advice to offer on that, apologies.
Hello,
Is Samsung A10 a good phone for uber?
Hello! Yes it is!
Pls can I use Samsung A20 for uber
Hello! And how about Google Pixel 3 XL? Am I allowed to use it with Uber?
Hello! Yes, those should work!
Please is Samsung j7 good for uber. Thank you.
Please is Samsung J7 pro okay to be used for uber.
Pls is techno spark 4 good for Uber.
Thanks for sharing this post with us. We recommended phones for drivers on the Uber platform are iPhone 6 and newer, Samsung Galaxy 8 and newer, Google Pixel, LG G and V series, Sony Xperia series. These are excellent brands and models for Uber drivers.
Is not 8 good for using uber .?? Nd samsung A10
Is samsung note 8 good for uber driver??¥
That phone is a good phone for Uber.
I’ve been using the Galaxy J series for years now. The J3 and the J7 while using Boost and Now with Verizon. Why would you say it doesnt work?
Is Samsung a20s good for uber
As long as you get good service it should be fine!
Can i use Samsung Galaxy Grand prime G530
I want to switch to Huawei p20 it is fast on internet?
WE are not too familiar with Huawei since they are not widely sold in the US.
Can Huawei nova7i support uber driver app
WE are not too familiar with Huawei since they are not widely sold in the US.
From vivo y91c to all the higher Vivo’s can do Uber and bolt very well
There are two main minimum requirements for Uber drivers and their phones. 1) Your smartphone must have a minimum of 2 GB of data per month. 2) You will need airtime to occasionally call and communicate with passengers.
Why is Uber rejecting techno phone
Could you explain what techno phone is?
I use a Galaxy S9. I have been having a very hard time with it overheating and not routing me too my deliveries. Do you think this is just a random thing? Or do you think it’s with the Galaxy s9’s.
That’s hard to say, it might be best to take your phone into your service provider to get that looked at. We always recommend having a reliable smartphone while you are on the road working for gig services.
Pls can I use tecno spark 4 or tecno spark 5 for the Uber business
I have techno Spark 5 pro, 64GB/ 4GB , is it good for Uber business
My Samsung Ao3 latest is not working on bolt it keeps telling me that phone will be slow and it doesn’t open