Learning how to use the Lyft app takes a few minutes. You install it, create an account, tell it where you are going and pick a ride type. This guide follows Lyft’s own help pages step by step, from the first sign-up screen to rating the trip, and then takes a short look at the separate Lyft driver app.
How do I use Lyft for the first time?
Start with the account. Lyft’s help center says the app is free on the App Store for iPhone and on Google Play for Android, and that it needs a cellular connection, so tablets and wifi-only devices such as the iPod Touch are not supported. Have your phone number, an email address and a photo of yourself ready.
The sign-up flow is short. You type in your phone number and receive a text with a verification code, then enter your name and email and take a selfie so the driver knows who to pick up. You must be at least 18 to create an account, request a ride or have a ride requested for you.[1]
Before the first request, open the Payment tab and add a card or another method. Accepted options include credit, debit and prepaid cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Lyft Cash, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App and Afterpay.[2]
How do you request a ride in the Lyft app?
Once you have an account, the request flow has four steps, according to Lyft’s help center:[3]
- Tap “Search destination” and enter your drop-off location.
- Choose the ride type you prefer.
- Tap “Select Lyft.”
- Confirm or change the pickup location, then tap “Confirm and request.”
If GPS is enabled on your phone, the app fills in your current address as the pickup point. You can save Home and Work addresses under Settings in your profile, add gate instructions in the pickup notes, and sync your contacts so a friend’s name finds their address. To add a stop, tap the “+” icon next to the addresses on the ride screen. If you will be away from the car for more than 5 minutes, Lyft suggests asking the driver to end the ride and requesting a new one later. To book ahead, see how to schedule a Lyft ride.
You can also request for someone else: set their destination, tap “Change rider” and pick them from your contacts.
Which Lyft ride type should you choose?
The app lists every type available in your area when you search a destination, and some types exist only in select cities. The main ones, per Lyft’s overview:[4]
| Ride type | What Lyft says |
|---|---|
| Standard | Standard car for up to 4 riders |
| Wait & Save | Lower price when it is busy, with a longer wait; certain regions only |
| Priority Pickup | Faster pickup at a slightly higher price; certain regions only |
| XL | Up to 6 passengers in vehicles with at least 7 seatbelts |
| Black | Premium black car with leather seats for up to 4 riders |
The overview also lists Green, Extra Comfort, Black SUV, XXL, Access, Pet rides and others. You cannot request a specific driver or car. Pick the type that matches your party size and budget.
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How does Lyft pricing work for riders?
Lyft shows an upfront price before you request, based on ride type, time, traffic and driver availability. The final price may differ if you wait more than 10 seconds before requesting, change the destination, add stops, or the trip takes longer or shorter than estimated, and higher demand during rush hours, events or bad weather can raise prices.[5] Fare estimates do not reflect discounts or traffic delays. A full explanation of estimates is a separate question from using the app. The details are in how Lyft fares are worked out.
How do you pay, tip and rate?
At the end of the ride, payment runs through the method on file, and you can switch the method before you rate the driver, within 24 hours of the trip, but not after you rate and tip.
Tipping is optional. Lyft says 100% of tips go to drivers, and you can tip in cash or in the app, where the amount is charged to the card on file. You can add a tip through the app for up to 30 days after the ride, set a default tip in Settings, and in-app tips are capped at $50 or 200% of the ride cost.[6]
Rating is a two-way system on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. If you choose “Great,” the driver gets 5 stars; “Not Good” starts at 1 star and “Okay” at 4, and you can adjust before submitting. Rating a driver 3 stars or lower means you will not be paired with them again, and if you do not rate, the driver automatically receives 5 stars.[7]
Tip: Check the license plate, car and driver photo in the app before you get in, and set your pickup pin on the right side of the street to save the driver a detour.
What does the Lyft driver app look like?
People who search for the Lyft driver app are usually deciding whether to drive, and that is a different path with its own sign-up. This guide only describes what Lyft’s new driver guide shows on the home screen. The menu holds profile, support and the Learning Center. Notifications carry updates, and the Earnings tab shows a weekly breakdown and cash-out options. Preferences include location filters, and the Weekly Planner, opened by swiping up from the home screen, helps plan the week around bonuses, scheduled rides and airport arrivals.[8]
Requirements, pay and bonuses are covered elsewhere and are not repeated here.
What should first-time riders remember?
- Rides are requested in the Lyft app, which needs a phone with a cellular connection.
- You see the price before requesting, and the final price can change if the trip changes.
- You can change the payment method only until you rate and tip.
- Keep your phone charged and location services on so the pickup pin lands in the right place.
