Report the lost phone to Uber immediately through the app or website
If you left your phone in an Uber, the fastest way to reach the driver is through Uber's lost and found system. Open the Uber app on another device—a computer, tablet, or borrowed phone—and go to your account menu. Select "Help," then "I lost an item." Uber will show you details about your most recent trip and let you send a message directly to the driver through the app.
If you cannot access another device right away, go to uber.com on a computer and log in with your email and password. The lost and found option is in the same Help menu. Uber typically sends your message to the driver within minutes, and many drivers check these messages regularly because lost items are common.
Do not wait more than a few hours to report. Drivers often pick up new passengers quickly, and the longer you wait, the less likely the driver will remember where your phone was left or still have it in the vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- Use Uber's lost and found feature through the app or website to message your driver directly—this is faster than calling Uber support.
- Provide your driver with a phone number where you can be reached, since they cannot call you back through the app.
- Offer to pay for the driver's time and effort to return the phone, either through cash or an Uber credit.
- If the driver does not respond within 24 hours, contact Uber support by phone or in-app chat to escalate the case.
- Many drivers keep lost phones for a day or two before turning them in, so check back multiple times before assuming it is gone.
Include a phone number where the driver can reach you
When you send a message through Uber's lost and found, the driver cannot call or text you directly—they can only reply through the app. This means you need to include a working phone number in your message so the driver knows how to contact you. Use a friend's number, a family member's number, or any phone you have access to.
Be specific in your message: "I left a black iPhone on the back seat. Please call me at [number] if you find it. I can pay you for your time." Drivers are more likely to respond when they know there is a reward and a clear way to reach you.
Offer compensation for the driver's effort
Most drivers will return a lost phone if they find it, but offering payment makes it more likely they will go out of their way to do so. You can offer cash when you meet them, or you can promise an Uber credit as a tip through the app after they return it.
The amount depends on the situation, but $20 to $50 is typical for a phone return. If the driver has to make a special trip or wait for you, a higher amount is reasonable. Mention the offer in your initial message so the driver knows it is worth their effort.
Contact Uber support if the driver does not respond
If your driver does not reply within 24 hours, or if they say they do not have your phone, contact Uber support directly. Open the app, go to Help, and select "Contact Us." You can chat with a support agent or request a phone call. Explain that you lost your phone in a recent trip and that the driver has not responded to your message.
Uber support can contact the driver on your behalf and may be able to retrieve information about where the driver went after your trip. They can also check whether the phone was turned in at an Uber office or lost and found location, though this is less common.
Support response times vary, but you should expect to hear back within a few hours during business hours. Have your trip details ready: the date, time, pickup location, and dropoff location.
Check if your phone has a built-in location feature
If your phone has a location service enabled—like Find My iPhone, Find My Mobile, or Google's Find My Device—you can use it to locate your phone even if you do not have it with you. These services work on any computer or through a web browser.
Log in to your account and look for your phone on a map. If it is still in the vehicle or at the driver's home, you will see its location. If it has been turned off or the battery died, the last known location will show instead. This information can help you decide whether to keep trying to reach the driver or move on to other steps.
If your phone is in an unfamiliar location far from where you were dropped off, it may have been taken. In that case, report it to the police and contact your phone carrier to have the device remotely locked or wiped.
Disable your phone remotely if you cannot recover it
If you cannot reach the driver or locate your phone after 48 hours, assume it will not be returned and protect your accounts. Use a computer or another device to change the passwords for your email, banking apps, social media, and any other sensitive accounts. Do this before the phone battery dies, because someone with access to your phone could use it to reset passwords.
Contact your phone carrier and report the phone as lost or stolen. They can disable the device on their network so it cannot make calls or use data. You can also remotely wipe the phone through Find My iPhone, Find My Mobile, or Google's Find My Device if you set those up before losing it.
File a police report if the phone contained sensitive information or if you believe it was stolen rather than lost. Keep the report number for your insurance claim if you have phone insurance.
Understand what Uber will and will not do
Uber does not take responsibility for lost items, and the company's terms of service state that users are responsible for their own belongings. Uber will not pay you for a lost phone, and they cannot force a driver to return it. What Uber can do is pass your message to the driver and provide support contact information if the driver does not respond.
Some drivers are honest and will return items; others may keep them or sell them. Uber's role is limited to connecting you with the driver. If the driver refuses to return your phone or demands money beyond a reasonable reward, you can report the driver to Uber, but this will not recover your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Uber keep lost items?
Uber does not operate a centralized lost and found. Drivers are responsible for their own vehicles, so if a driver keeps your phone, Uber cannot retrieve it from a warehouse. Some drivers turn items in to Uber offices or police, but this is not may provide. Your best chance is reaching the driver directly within the first few hours.
Can I track my Uber ride to see where the driver went after dropping me off?
No. Uber's trip history shows only the route from pickup to dropoff, not where the driver traveled afterward. Your phone's location service is your only way to track the device after you lost it.
What if the driver says they have my phone but wants more money than I offered?
Negotiate within reason—$50 to $100 is a fair range depending on the phone's value and the driver's effort. If the driver demands an unreasonable amount or threatens to keep the phone, report them to Uber support. Do not send money through payment apps or wire transfer; meet in person or use Uber's tip feature so there is a record.
Can I get a refund for my Uber ride if I lost my phone in the car?
No. Losing an item during a ride is not grounds for a refund. Uber's refund policy covers service issues like being charged twice or the driver canceling after pickup, not lost belongings.
Should I file a police report for a lost phone?
A police report is useful if the phone contains sensitive information, if you have insurance that requires a report, or if you believe it was stolen rather than lost. For a simple lost phone, a report is optional but creates an official record in case you need it later.