News

Starbucks upgrading mobile app, will enable in-app tipping

March 13, 2014

Starbucks is upgrading its mobile iPhone app next week to give customers in the U.S., U.K. and Canada a more streamlined design and easy access to their accounts and My Starbucks Rewards information, according to a company press release. In addition, customers using the app will have the option to leave a tip at more than 7,000 company-operated Starbucks stores in the U.S.

"With more than 11 percent of transactions a week now happening with a mobile device in our stores, and nearly 10 million customers currently using our mobile app, we're thrilled to make the digital experience even easier and more rewarding for our customers and partners," Adam Brotman, chief digital officer for Starbucks, said in the release. "This update to the Starbucks App for iPhone is an important next step in digital innovation at Starbucks and one of the many ways we'll expand and improve our digital experience in the months to come."

Digital tipping has been a top suggestion on MyStarbucksIdea.com, an online community for people to share, vote, discuss and put into action ideas on how to enhance the Starbucks Experience. Starbucks expects to introduce a complete update to the Starbucks App for Android, including a digital tipping feature, later this year.

"As more and more customers are using their phone to pay, they have asked for a convenient and meaningful way to show their appreciation to our store partners," Cliff Burrows, group president, U.S., Americas and Teavana, said in the announcement. "We're proud to offer digital tipping as an option through the updated Starbucks App for iPhone to customers in the U.S."

The Starbucks App for iPhone allows customers to access:

Mobile Payment: For customers looking for the fastest way to pay, the Starbucks app offers customers the convenience of paying for their beverages with their mobile devices.

Digital Tipping: Customers can show their appreciation to store partners by tipping through the Starbucks app. Customers are given the option to provide a tip in the following denominations: $0.50, $1, $2.

Shake to Pay: To simplify mobile payments, customers can now bring the barcode of their Starbucks Card front and center at any time by shaking their mobile devices.

My Starbucks Rewards status: The My Starbucks Rewards screen has been redesigned to streamline viewing of Rewards history. The display also features new transaction types, such as multiple transactions in a single day and promotional offers, in one integrated view.

Reload: Customers can reload their Starbucks Card balance directly from their mobile device with a major credit card. Customers can even set up automatic reloads.

Store Locator: Customers can search for the closest Starbucks stores, view the amenities available at each store, and save favorite stores.

Starbucks Card eGift: Allows customers to treat friends and family to their favorite Starbucks beverage, food or merchandise through a virtual gift from their iPhone. Starbucks Card eGifts can be customized with a personal message and sent directly using contacts or Facebook friend list, for any amount between $5-$100 (in the U.S. only).