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How To Order Lyft Rides Without Needing a Working Smartphone

Ridesharing services like Lyft have become incredibly popular in recent years. Their convenience and affordability make them an attractive alternative to traditional taxis for many people. However, most ridesharing platforms require a smartphone to request a ride. This can pose a challenge for those without a smartphone, such as some seniors or low-income individuals.

Fortunately, there are a few options for ordering a Lyft ride without a working smartphone. Here is an overview of the main methods:

Use the Lyft Website

The easiest way to order a Lyft ride without a smartphone is to use the Lyft website (http://ride.lyft.com). You can access it from any device with an internet browser. Here are the steps:

  1. Go to ride.lyft.com
  2. Enter your phone number
  3. Lyft will text you a verification code
  4. Input the code on the website
  5. Enter your pickup location and destination
  6. Select a ride type
  7. Confirm your ride

The main downside is you won’t be able to track your ride’s progress or contact your driver easily without a smartphone. But the website allows you to successfully order a ride.

Use the Lyft Phone Number

In select cities, Lyft offers a dial-a-ride phone number you can call to speak with an agent to book a ride. Currently, it’s available in parts of Florida by calling (631) 201-LYFT. The steps would be:

  1. Call (631) 201-LYFT
  2. Speak with a Lyft agent to book your ride
  3. Provide pickup location and destination
  4. Lyft texts ride updates
  5. Driver takes you to your destination
  6. Payment processed automatically

This option makes ordering Lyft rides similar to calling a taxi company. It’s ideal for seniors and those without smartphone access. The downside is that it’s only available in certain regions at this time.

Use a Ridesharing Concierge Service

Specialized concierge services for ridesharing like GoGoGrandparent allow you to order Lyft and Uber rides without a smartphone. These services cater to seniors and others without mobile devices.

Here is how GoGoGrandparent works:

  1. Call the GoGoGrandparent phone number
  2. Press 1 for Lyft or 2 for Uber
  3. Provide pickup address and destination
  4. Professional agents book the ride for you
  5. Get status updates via phone, text, or email

The agents stay on the line to monitor the ride and contact the driver if needed. This provides an extra level of service and security. The main drawback is the $0.27 per minute concierge fee added to the ride cost.

Use Google Home or Amazon Alexa

If you have a Google Home or Amazon Alexa smart speaker at home, you can verbally ask it to order you a ride. Here is what to do:

  1. Enable the Lyft skill on your Alexa/Google Home app
  2. Link your Lyft account information
  3. Say “Alexa/Hey Google, ask Lyft to get me a ride to [destination]”
  4. Confirm ride details verbally
  5. Get ride status updates from your speaker

The main limitations are that you need a Lyft account linked and can only order rides to/from registered “Home” and “Work” locations this way. But it provides a helpful hands-free option.

Use Accessibility Features

For blind or low vision users, Lyft offers an accessibility guide for ordering rides with iPhone and Android voice controls. Features like VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android) can help request rides. The Lyft app and website also have certain accessibility accommodations built-in.

Consider Alternatives

If Lyft is unavailable in your area, consider other ridesharing platforms like Uber. Uber offers similar options to order rides without a smartphone, like m.uber.com and integrations with Google/Alexa. Some regions also have local ridesharing services or wheelchair-accessible transportation providers to look into as well.

Tips for First-Time Users

If you’re new to Lyft and ridesharing, keep these tips in mind for your first ride:

  • Add a profile photo to your account so drivers recognize you
  • Be ready at your pickup location on time
  • Confirm the license plate, car make/model with your driver before getting in
  • Sit in the back seat unless you have a large group
  • Let the driver know if you need any assistance getting in/out of the vehicle
  • Payment is processed automatically, no need to tip drivers but you can if you wish
  • Request the ride back through your preferred contactless method

Ridesharing without a smartphone may seem intimidating initially. But hopefully this overview has provided some helpful options to order Lyft rides without a mobile device. With a few extra steps, you can still get where need to go conveniently. Reach out for assistance if you have any questions on your first ride. Most platforms provide customer service to help troubleshoot any issues.

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