TL;DR — Uber requires phone verification for every new account — no exceptions. Rent a virtual number, enter it in the Uber app, receive the 4-digit SMS code in your dashboard, and your account is live in under two minutes. One account covers both Uber rides and Uber Eats.
Unlike many platforms where phone verification is optional or triggered by specific conditions, Uber requires a phone number for every single account. It’s baked into the registration flow — you cannot create an Uber account without completing SMS verification. This applies to both the Uber rides app and Uber Eats.
If you want to use Uber without tying your personal number to the account — for privacy, a second account, travel use, or business separation — a virtual number is how you do it.
Why avoid using your personal number on Uber?
Driver contact and privacy. When a driver needs to reach you, Uber routes the call or text through the app’s masked communication system — drivers don’t see your actual number during active trips. However, this masking has limitations, and historically there have been cases where driver communication happened through exposed numbers. A virtual number adds a clean layer of separation regardless of how Uber’s masking works.
Uber Eats delivery contact. Delivery drivers can contact you through the app when they arrive or have questions about your order. With a virtual number, any unexpected post-delivery contact doesn’t reach your real phone.
Personal and business account separation. If you use Uber for both personal trips and work travel that gets expensed, keeping them separate is cleaner for accounting and for your employer’s reimbursement process. Each account needs its own unique phone number.
Travel accounts with local pricing. Uber operates differently in different markets. Surge pricing patterns, base fare structures, and available vehicle categories vary by region. Some travelers create accounts with a local number to ensure they’re accessing the full local product, including promotions and fare structures that may only appear for local accounts.
Account recovery. If you’re locked out of an existing Uber account, phone verification is the fastest reinstatement path. A virtual number can help you access the account temporarily while you resolve any underlying issues.
For context on how virtual numbers work technically, see our complete guide to virtual phone numbers.
What’s the difference between rider and driver accounts?
This distinction matters if you’re considering using a virtual number for both purposes.
Rider accounts: Straightforward. Phone verification is the only mandatory verification step. Once verified, you add a payment method and you can book rides. The virtual number handles the verification step completely. Everything after that — ride booking, payment, ratings — operates normally.
Driver accounts: Significantly more complex. Phone verification is one of many steps. Uber driver onboarding also requires:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Driver’s license (with eligibility check)
- Vehicle registration and insurance documents
- Background check (criminal history and driving record)
- Vehicle inspection in some markets
A virtual number handles the phone verification step for a driver account. But the remaining verification steps require real documents tied to your actual identity. If you’re applying to drive for Uber, the virtual number is a minor convenience for the phone step — the rest of the process is extensive regardless.
Step-by-step: Uber with a virtual number
1. Create an SMSCode account
Go to the SMSCode signup page and register with your email. Takes about 30 seconds.
2. Add funds to your balance
Top up via bank transfer, e-wallet, or cryptocurrency. Uber verification numbers typically cost $0.10–$0.40 depending on country. See current rates on the pricing page.
3. Find Uber in the catalog
Go to the SMS verification catalog and search for Uber. You’ll see available countries with current stock and pricing.
4. Choose a country
| Country | Typical price | Success rate |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | $0.10–0.15 | High |
| India | $0.10–0.15 | High |
| Brazil | $0.10–0.25 | High |
| USA | $0.20–0.40 | High |
| UK | $0.15–0.35 | High |
Important: Uber’s system checks for consistency between your account’s phone number region and your actual location. A significant mismatch — using a US number while physically in Southeast Asia, for example — can cause Uber to flag the account. For routine use, pick a number from the country or region where you’ll primarily use the app. Our guide on choosing the right country covers this decision in more detail.
5. Rent the virtual number
Click “Get Number.” The number is reserved for your order, the cost is deducted from your balance, and you have a 15–20 minute window to receive the code.
6. Open Uber and enter the number
Open the Uber app on iOS or Android. Tap “Sign up” and you’ll be asked for your phone number immediately — it’s the first screen. Enter the virtual number from SMSCode, including the correct country code.
7. Receive and enter the 4-digit code
Uber sends a 4-digit verification code via SMS. Switch to your SMSCode dashboard — the code appears automatically, usually within 15–30 seconds. Enter it in the Uber app.
8. Complete your account setup
After verification, Uber asks for your name, email address, and a payment method. Add a credit card, debit card, or PayPal to enable rides. Your account is now live for both Uber rides and Uber Eats — no separate registration needed for Eats.
How does driver-rider communication actually work?
There’s a common misconception worth clearing up: drivers don’t see your phone number when they call or text you through Uber’s in-app system. Uber routes all in-app communication through temporary masked numbers — when a driver calls you about your ride, the call goes through a proxy number, not your actual Uber account number.
This means the virtual number you used for account verification isn’t the number drivers interact with during rides. Uber’s masking layer handles that separately.
Where the original number matters: if you need to log in to a new device, recover your account, or if Uber’s security system flags your account and requests re-verification. If that happens and you no longer have access to the original virtual number (because the rental window closed), you’ll need to contact Uber support or go through the account recovery process.
If you’re using Uber regularly over a long period and want to avoid that situation, consider either using your real number from the start, or renting the virtual number on an ongoing basis.
Uber Eats: same account, different use pattern
Uber and Uber Eats operate on the same account. One phone verification covers both. A few things specific to Eats:
Delivery driver contact. Food delivery involves more contact attempts than ride-sharing — drivers call or text when they arrive, when they can’t find your address, or when there’s an issue with your order. With a virtual number, none of those contacts reach your real phone. This is typically fine since most of the communication happens in-app anyway, but if you’re in an area with frequent phone-based contact from delivery drivers, be aware of this.
Delivery address. Uber Eats uses your delivery address, not your phone number’s region, to determine available restaurants and pricing. There’s no conflict between a US phone number and an Indonesian delivery address — the app handles this correctly.
Uber Cash and vouchers. Payment methods and promotional credits work identically regardless of how the account was verified.
2FA and account security
Uber supports two-factor authentication. Once your account is set up, enabling 2FA is worth doing regardless of what type of number you used for initial verification.
Go to: Uber app → Account → Settings → Security → Two-Step Verification.
If you enable SMS-based 2FA, it’ll use the number you registered with. If you’ve used a virtual number that’s since expired, you’ll need to update the phone number in your account settings before enabling SMS 2FA. Alternatively, many users skip 2FA on Uber since the account is also protected by payment method (which has its own fraud detection).
If your Uber account is your primary account and you’re using it with real payment methods and personal information, consider updating the phone number in settings to your real number after initial verification. This gives you a more robust recovery path if the account is ever flagged.
Using Uber in multiple countries when traveling
Uber pricing, availability, and app behavior differ significantly by country. A few practical points for international travelers:
Your existing account works internationally. You don’t need a separate account for each country. Your home account works in any Uber market — the app switches to local pricing and vehicle categories automatically based on your physical location.
Pricing is location-based, not account-based. Surge pricing, base fares, and available categories are determined by where your pickup is, not where your account is registered. A US-registered account will see Indonesian prices in Jakarta, and vice versa.
Currency and payment. Uber charges in the local currency for international trips, but converts to your payment method’s currency using current exchange rates. Some payment methods may have foreign transaction fees — check with your card issuer.
When a local account might make sense. If you’re in a market for an extended period and local promotions or pricing are exclusively for locally-registered accounts, a second account with a local virtual number could make sense. But for typical travel, your existing account works fine everywhere.
Troubleshooting
”This phone number is already in use”
The number was previously registered to a Uber account by another user. Cancel the order on SMSCode (no charge) and get a fresh number — you’ll get a different one from the pool immediately.
”Unable to verify phone number”
Uber has rejected the number or the number range. Try a number from a different country, preferably one close to your actual location. If you’re in the US and consistently getting rejections, try a US number rather than an international one. See our notes on number quality and reliability.
The Uber code never arrives
Wait at least 60 seconds — some SMS carriers have brief delays. If nothing appears after 90 seconds, cancel the number on SMSCode and get a new one. Don’t request a “resend” from Uber while the old number is still active on SMSCode; cancel it first, get a new number, and restart the flow.
Uber asks for email verification in addition to phone
This is normal. Uber may ask you to verify your email address in addition to your phone number. Use a real email address you have access to — this is for account recovery and receipt delivery, not for blocking you from the service.
Account suspended after setup
Uber’s fraud detection may flag accounts created in rapid succession from the same device or IP. If you’re creating a second account, wait a few hours after setting up the first before starting the second, and use a different browser profile or device.
FAQ
Does a virtual number work for both Uber and Uber Eats?
Yes. One Uber account covers both services. A single phone verification at account creation covers everything — rides, Eats, Uber Connect, and any other Uber products in your market.
Can drivers contact me if I used a virtual number?
Uber routes all driver-to-passenger communication through a masked proxy number during active trips. Drivers don’t see or interact with your actual Uber account number. The virtual number’s primary role is account creation and re-verification, not driver communication.
Can I change my Uber phone number after setup?
Yes. In the Uber app: Account → Settings → Phone Number → Update. You can replace the virtual number with your real number or a different virtual number at any time. Uber will send a verification code to the new number before completing the change.
Does the phone number affect Uber pricing?
No. Uber pricing is calculated based on your pickup and dropoff locations, time of day, and demand — not your account’s phone number or registration country. For local markets, your account region can affect which promotional offers appear, but the underlying fare calculation is location-based.
Can I use a virtual number for a Uber driver account?
The phone verification step works the same way. However, Uber’s driver onboarding also requires real government ID, license, insurance, background check, and vehicle inspection — none of which can be handled with a virtual number. The virtual number only addresses the phone verification step; all other driver requirements must use your real identity documents.
Ready to create a Uber account without your personal number? Sign up for SMSCode and you’ll be through the verification in under two minutes.
Verifying other apps while you’re at it? See the best virtual number services overview to understand what to look for when choosing a provider, and our SMS verification platform list for every service we support.