Ordering with the Starbucks app lets you pick your store, customize drinks, pay in the app, and skip the line with a ready-to-grab order.
Ordering coffee through your phone sounds simple, but the Starbucks app has plenty of buttons, menus, and options that can feel confusing at first. This guide walks you through how to order with the Starbucks app from install to pickup so you can get your drink, earn Stars, and avoid awkward moments at the counter. You will see where to tap, what each screen means, and how to avoid common mistakes that slow people down during the morning rush.
How to Order With the Starbucks App Step Guide
When you first learn how to order with the Starbucks app, it helps to see the full path from home screen to pickup. Think of it as the same steps you follow in the café, only in a fixed order on your phone. Here is the basic flow before we break each part down in more detail.
| Step | What you do | Quick tip |
|---|---|---|
| Open app | Open the Starbucks app and sign in. | Check you are logged into the right account. |
| Tap Order | Tap the Order tab at the bottom. | If you do not see it, update the app. |
| Choose store | Allow location or search to choose your store. | Pick a store you can reach before the ready time. |
| Browse menu | Scroll through drinks, food, and featured items. | Use previous orders if you want a repeat drink. |
| Customize item | Adjust size, milk, shots, and other details. | Save custom drinks you love as a favorite. |
| Review cart | Check every item, size, and note in your cart. | Fix mistakes here so the barista sees the right order. |
| Pay and place | Choose a payment method and submit the order. | Turn on notifications so you know when it is ready. |
Set Up The Starbucks App Before You Order
Before you place your first mobile drink order, the Starbucks app needs an account and one way to pay. On the first launch you can create a Starbucks Rewards account or sign in with an existing email. Using the same login that you use on the Starbucks website keeps Stars, offers, and cards in one place. Then add a Starbucks Card balance, a card, or a digital wallet so check out feels as quick as handing over cash.
Create Or Sign In To Your Starbucks Account
From the first screen, choose the option to sign in or join. New customers enter a name, email address, password, and basic contact details. Existing customers can use the same login they already use on the Starbucks website so everything stays linked. Once you are signed in, the app shows your current Stars, any available Rewards, and your default payment method on the home screen.
Add A Payment Method Or Starbucks Card
To pay in the app you can add a Starbucks Card, link a debit or credit card, or connect a mobile wallet. Many customers reload a Starbucks Card because it earns two Stars per dollar under the Starbucks Rewards terms in your market. Others prefer paying straight with a card so they never watch a balance. Pick the option you trust and start with a small test purchase.
Turn On Location And Notifications
The app works best when it can see nearby stores and send status updates. Allow location access so the Order tab can show stores near you with current menu options. Turn on push notifications so you get a ping when your drink is being made and when the order is ready at the pickup area.
Customize Your Starbucks App Order Like A Regular
Once your account and payment are ready, the fun part starts. Tap the Order tab, choose your store, then open the drink category you want. When you tap an item, the customization screen appears with size, temperature, espresso options, milk choices, syrups, toppings, and more. Match this screen to the way you usually say your drink so the mobile ticket looks familiar to the barista.
Use The Customization Screen Confidently
Start with size, then adjust how many espresso shots you want. Pick the milk type, then scroll for syrups and sweeteners. Many drinks also have options for extra ice, light ice, or no ice, plus foam and cold foam choices. If you like a special drink that is not listed by name, build it from a base drink and then save it as a favorite so you can find it again later.
Save Favorites And Repeat Orders
After you place a drink you love, tap the heart icon to save it as a favorite. Next time you open the app you can jump straight to that drink from the Favorites section instead of building it from scratch. You can also reorder from the Recent Orders list, which is handy when you always order the same breakfast sandwich or afternoon cold brew. This keeps your steps short on busy days when every second before work or class counts.
Ordering With The Starbucks App For Busy Mornings
Mobile ordering shines when the café line wraps around the door. From the parking lot or train platform you can place a full order, then walk in only when the app says your drink is nearly ready. Pick the right store and pickup method based on how you arrive, whether that is walking, driving, or passing through a grocery partner location. Always check the estimated ready time next to the Place Order button so your drink does not sit too long on the counter.
Choose The Right Pickup Option
Most stores offer pickup at the main handoff plane inside the café, while some add drive thru pickup or curbside. In the app, once you select a store you see icons that show which pickup types that location supports. Drive thru pickup works well when you do not want to leave the car, while in store pickup stays fastest in dense city locations. Plan how you will arrive before you place the order so the store choice matches your route.
Time Your Starbucks App Order
The Starbucks app shows an estimated ready window under the Place Order button. If you are still ten minutes away from the store, wait until you are closer so your drink stays fresh. Some markets offer a Schedule option that lets you set a future pickup time. Treat the ready window like a boarding time so your drink tastes right when you reach the counter.
Pickup Options And When To Use Each
Different pickup styles suit different days. Use the table below to match your schedule and route with the option that fits best for you.
| Pickup option | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| In store counter | People on foot or already inside a mall or office. | Watch the pickup screen for your name and drink type. |
| Drive thru | Drivers who prefer to stay in the car. | Tell the barista you have a mobile order when you pull up. |
| Curbside | Parents with kids in seats or people with mobility limits. | Follow the parking and check in steps in the app. |
| Store inside retailer | Shoppers inside grocery or big box stores. | Give yourself extra time since those cafés can get busy. |
| Airport or transit | Travel days when timing is tight. | Check that the store is past security before you order. |
Troubleshooting Common Starbucks App Ordering Issues
Even with a polished app, small snags pop up. Orders hang on the loading screen, a store vanishes, or Stars do not show up right away. Most of these problems have simple fixes you can try before you give up and stand in the regular line.
Order Will Not Submit Or Store Disappears
If your order will not go through, first check your internet connection and try switching between mobile data and wifi. Then refresh the store list by pulling down on the screen so the app can check which cafés are open. If a store disappears, it might be closed for a short time or have mobile ordering turned off, so choose another location that still shows an Order button.
Payment Or Stars Look Wrong
When the receipt looks off or Stars do not appear, open the account history and check the transaction line. On some days Stars can take a little time to post, especially during bonus events. If the issue stays, you can use the help section in the app or the Starbucks website contact page to send the order details and ask a support team member to review the problem.
Need To Change Or Cancel A Mobile Order
Once an order reaches the barista screen, many stores cannot change it easily, which is why the review cart step matters so much. If you catch a mistake right after placing the order, call the store and share the order number from your app. Staff can advise whether they can adjust the drink or if they will cancel and redo it at the register when you arrive.
Tips To Get The Most From Every Starbucks App Order
Small habits make every mobile drink run smoother. Keep your favorite store saved, but learn a second nearby store so you have a backup when your usual café is packed. Watch deals and Double Star Days in the app so large orders land on days that earn extra value. Refresh your favorites list now and then so it reflects what you truly drink. With a little practice, ordering with the Starbucks app turns into a quick tap routine.