How In-App Chat with Your Driver Works

Once a ride or a monthly commute is confirmed, you and your driver usually need to talk through a small detail or two before pickup — which gate to wait at, whether the road is blocked, or that you're carrying a bag and need an extra minute. Shareide's in-app chat lets you sort this out without ever handing your phone number to a stranger, which matters more than it sounds when you're a woman riding alone or booking a ride late at night.

Where to find the chat

Once a driver accepts your ride or bid, open the active ride screen from your Home tab. You'll see the driver's name, vehicle details, and a chat icon alongside the call button. Tap it to open a simple message thread, exactly like any messaging app you already use.

• Available once a ride is confirmed. Chat opens as soon as a driver is assigned, so you can message them well before pickup time, not just once they're outside.
• Works for scheduled and monthly rides too. If you've set up a monthly subscription with the same driver, the same chat thread carries over ride after ride, so you're not starting a new conversation every morning.
• Read receipts and timestamps. You can see when a message was sent and whether it's likely been seen, so you're not left guessing if your driver got your note about the gali being closed.

Why in-app chat instead of a phone number

Sharing personal numbers between riders and drivers used to be the norm on other platforms, and it created real problems — unwanted calls or texts long after the ride ended, no record of what was actually said if a dispute came up, and no way for Shareide to step in if a conversation turned inappropriate. Keeping the conversation inside the app means your number stays private on both sides, and if something needs to be reported to support, the message history is right there.

Getting the most out of it

Chat is best used for short, practical messages: confirming your exact pickup spot, telling your driver you're wearing a specific color so they can spot you, or letting them know about a slight delay. For anything urgent — if you feel unsafe or the driver isn't responding and time matters — use the call button or the safety features in the app rather than waiting on a text reply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I chat with my driver before they arrive at pickup?

Yes. The chat thread is available as soon as the driver accepts your ride, so you can message ahead of time rather than waiting until they're at your location.

Does the driver see my real phone number through chat?

No. In-app chat doesn't reveal either person's phone number. Calls placed through the app are also routed without exposing your actual number.

What if my message isn't going through?

Check your internet connection first, since chat needs data or WiFi to sync. If messages still aren't sending after a few minutes, try calling the driver instead, or reach out to support if the ride itself seems stuck.