How do you use Mobile Order and Pay on the Starbucks app?
I walk through the full Starbucks Mobile Order and Pay workflow: setup, funding for double Stars, choosing a store, customizing drinks, and picking up.
Quick Answer
Download the Starbucks app, create a free account, load money onto a Starbucks Card in the app (this earns 2 Stars per dollar instead of 1), then tap Order, pick your store, build your drink, and check out.
Walk in and grab your drink from the mobile pickup shelf, or state your name at the drive-thru speaker.
Step 1: Download and set up the app
The Starbucks app is free on the iOS App Store and Google Play. During setup:
- Create an account with your email and a password.
- Verify your email if prompted.
- Turn on location services when the app asks. This lets the app find nearby stores automatically.
- Enable push notifications if you want order-ready alerts.
Your account also becomes your Starbucks Rewards membership automatically. No separate signup.
Step 2: Fund your account (do this to earn double Stars)
Payment matters more than most customers realize:
- Direct credit or debit card payment at checkout: earns 1 Star per $1 spent.
- Preloaded Starbucks Card in the app: earns 2 Stars per $1 spent.
To load the card, tap Pay in the app, then Add Money. Load $25 or $50 in one go from a credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. Every purchase from that balance then earns double Stars. Over a year, that easily adds up to 5 or 6 extra free drinks.
Step 3: Pick your store
Tap the Order icon at the bottom of the app. The banner at the top shows your selected pickup store. Tap it to change.
The store list shows stores near your current location, distance, whether mobile ordering is available, and estimated wait time. Pick the store closest to where you actually plan to pick up the drink, not just where you are standing.
Common mistake: ordering at a store 15 miles from where you actually are because it happened to be at the top of the list. The app cannot transfer orders between stores, so a wrong-store order means you either drive there or lose the money.
Step 4: Build your drink
Browse the menu categories (Espresso, Cold Coffee, Hot Coffee, Tea, Refreshers, Frappuccino, Food).
- Tap the drink you want.
- Select a size.
- Tap Customize.
- Adjust milk, syrup pumps, shot count, toppings, ice level, and any add-ins.
- Review the live calorie count that updates as you change things.
- Tap Add to Order.
You can add multiple drinks and food items to one order. Each item can be customized independently.
Step 5: Check out
Tap the cart icon and review your order.
- Confirm the pickup store.
- Choose the pickup channel (in-store, drive-thru, or curbside where available).
- Tap "Personal cup" if you brought a reusable cup for the 10 cent discount.
- Tap the green Pay button.
The app deducts from your Starbucks Card balance (or charges the linked payment method) and shows an estimated pickup window, usually 3 to 7 minutes depending on how busy the store is.
Step 6: Pick up your drink
Walk into the store or roll up to the drive-thru:
- In store: walk past the register line straight to the mobile pickup counter. Look for your name on a printed sticker attached to the cup. Grab and go.
- Drive-thru: at the speaker, say "I have a mobile order for [your name]." Pull to the window, take your cup, drive off.
- Curbside (select stores): after arriving, tap "I'm here" in the app and a barista brings the drink out.
Tips that make mobile ordering better
- Save your favorites. After you order a drink you love, tap the heart icon to save it. Reorder in two taps next time.
- Watch the Star tracker. Every 25 Stars unlocks something (a customization, a drip coffee, a full drink at higher tiers). Check the Rewards tab before you order.
- Use the timing buffer. Order 5 to 7 minutes before you arrive, not 20 minutes. Drinks made too early lose foam and go warm.
- Turn on order-ready notifications. The push alert saves you from staring at the pickup shelf.
- Do not mobile order during known store closures. Check the store's hours in the Stores tab first.
Common problems and fixes
- App keeps loading, no stores showing: location services are off. Turn them on in your phone settings.
- Cannot mobile order at your usual store: the store has paused mobile orders due to high volume. Wait 15 minutes or order at a nearby store.
- Payment declined: Starbucks Card balance is low. Reload or use a different payment method at checkout.
- Wrong drink at pickup: flag a barista at the register. They will remake it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tip through the app?
Yes. After you complete a mobile order, the app prompts you to add a tip (usually within 2 hours of purchase). Tips go directly to the baristas.
Can I mobile order for a friend?
Yes. Put their name in the "For" field so the printed cup sticker matches. They walk in and grab it like any other mobile order.
Do Stars expire?
Yes, 6 months after being earned. Redeem them before they expire.
Can I mobile order in another country?
Mobile Order & Pay is available in the US, Canada, UK, and several other markets. Your app account works in supported markets automatically.
Star tier ladder and what unlocks at each level
The Star tracker shows how close you are to the next free redemption:
- 25 Stars: customization (extra shot, dairy substitute, syrup add-in).
- 100 Stars: brewed hot coffee, hot tea, or bakery item.
- 200 Stars: handcrafted drink (any latte, mocha, Frappuccino) or hot breakfast sandwich.
- 300 Stars: Starbucks salad, sandwich, or protein box.
- 400 Stars: select Starbucks merchandise or packaged coffee.
The best value redemption is typically 200 Stars for a Venti handcrafted drink, which comes to roughly $6 to $7 back per redemption.
Group orders
The app supports group orders where multiple people can add drinks to one shared cart. Great for office runs. Tap the group order icon at the top of the Order screen, share the link with your team, and everyone submits their drink. One person pays and picks up.
Order-ahead safety net
If a store's app-based mobile channel is temporarily paused (usually because they are slammed), the app will suggest the next-closest available store. Take the suggestion if you are already driving; going out of your way costs more time than the savings.
Bottom line
Download the app, load a Starbucks Card for double Stars, pick your store carefully, customize your drink, tap Pay, and walk in or roll through the drive-thru to grab your order. Once the workflow is muscle memory, you will never wait in a register line again.