How to set up the app on an iOS device
The USAA DriveSafe App will ask permission to use your Location and Motion & Fitness Activity information. These permissions are required to be in the program and get your savings.
Verify enrollment.
- Open the USAA DriveSafe App and tap Get started.
- Enter your mobile phone number, then tap Submit.
- We'll send a text message with an activation code. Enter the code, then tap Submit. If you don't get the activation code after a few minutes, tap Send another code or text "START," "UNSTOP," or "YES" to 855-242-6088.
Review documents.
If you've already agreed to the terms and conditions, you won't have to do it again and will automatically skip to the next step.
- Review the terms and conditions and notice to policyholders.
- Tap Next to continue
Allow Location permissions.
- The next screen lets you know the USAA DriveSafe App needs to use your location to understand your trip history — like where your trips start and end. Tap Next.
- At the prompt, select Allow While Using App.
- Tap Next on the screen.
- And at the prompt, tap Change to Always Allow.
Allow Motion & Fitness Activity permissions.
- The next screen lets you know the USAA DriveSafe App needs to use your Motion & Fitness Activity information to determine when you’re handling your phone like texting while driving. Tap Next.
- At the prompt, select Allow to give the USAA DriveSafe App access to your Motion & Fitness activity.
Allow notifications.
- Tap Next to get advice and updates from the USAA DriveSafe App.
- Tap Allow to allow notifications.
Read the program overview.
- Tap Finish. You’re now ready to drive with the USAA DriveSafe App.
How to set up the app on an Android device
The USAA DriveSafe App will ask permission to use your Location, Physical Activity and Phone information. These permissions are required to be in the program and get your savings.
Verify enrollment.
- Open the USAA DriveSafe App and tap Get started.
- Enter your mobile phone number, then tap Submit.
- We’ll send a text message with an activation code. Enter the code, then tap Submit. If you don't receive the activation code after a few minutes, tap Send another code or text "START," "UNSTOP," or "YES" to 855-242-6088.
Review documents.
If you've already agreed to the terms and conditions, you won't have to do it again and will automatically skip to the next step.
- Review the terms and conditions and notice to policyholders.
- Tap Next to continue.
Allow Location permissions.
- The next screen lets you know the USAA DriveSafe App needs to use your Location information to understand your trip history — like where your trips start and end. Tap Next.
- At the prompt, tap Precise. Then select Allow only while using the app.
- Tap Open settings. This opens Location settings on your phone.
- Select Allow all the time and make sure Use precise location is turned on. This will allow the app to automatically record your trips each time you drive.
- Tap the back arrow to return to the app.
- The next screen lets you know that, in a few days, you’ll get a prompt to allow the USAA DriveSafe App to continue using your Location. You’ll need to tap Dismiss when you get the prompt. Tap Next to continue.
Allow Physical Activity permissions.
- The next screen lets you know the USAA DriveSafe App needs to use your Physical Activity information to understand when you’re handling your phone like texting while driving. Tap Next.
- Tap Allow to give the USAA DriveSafe App access to your Physical Activity.
Allow Phone permissions.
- The next screen lets you know the USAA DriveSafe App needs to use your Phone information to understand when you’re making or receiving calls while driving. Tap Next.
- Tap Allow to give the USAA DriveSafe App access to your Phone information.
Stop optimizing battery usage.
You’ll only get this step if you have a Samsung device.
- Tap Next, then select Allow at the prompt.
Allow Nearby Devices permission.
- The next screen lets you know the USAA DriveSafe App needs to use your Nearby Devices permission to determine whether your calls are hands-free or handheld. Tap Next.
- Tap Allow.
Allow notifications. (Only for Android 13 and 14)
You’ll only get this step if you’re using Android 13 or 14.
- Tap Next to get advice and updates from the USAA DriveSafe App.
- Tap Allow to allow notifications.
Read the program overview.
- Tap Finish. You're now ready to drive with the USAA DriveSafe App.
USAA DriveSafe App setup FAQ
It may vary by device type, but in general, you're going to open your phone settings app and go to the "About" section:
- On iOS, it's Settings > General > About. It'll tell you the "iOS Version."
- On Android, it's Settings > About Phone. It'll tell you the "Android version."
The USAA DriveSafe App uses your driving data to calculate a driving score and any potential savings you may get on your auto insurance policy. We may also use your driving data when you file a claim after an accident.
To learn more about what driving data the USAA DriveSafe App collects and how it’s used, review the USAA Safe Driving Terms and Conditions.
We take your privacy seriously and won’t share your driving data, except in ways that follow our Privacy Promise.
There are three possible reasons why you might not receive a text message during setup:
- USAA’s text message system is experiencing a system delay.
- We have the wrong mobile phone number on file for each participant.
- You may have blocked or opted out of text messages from USAA.
If USAA’s text message system is experiencing a system delay, please try again in a few hours.
If we have the wrong mobile phone number on file, go to your auto policy on usaa.com or the USAA Mobile App. In the USAA SafePilot® Options, select Update Phone Numbers. Re-enter the mobile phone number for each participant.
If you’ve blocked text messages from USAA, text “START,” “UNSTOP,” or “YES” to 855-242-6088 and we’ll reenable your ability to receive messages from USAA.
Delete the app and then reinstall it. That should restart the setup process. If you already reviewed and accepted the terms and conditions, you won’t have to do that step again.
Drive safely and start saving.
Need more help?
A USAA representative can guide you through it.
For TTY devices, dial 711
Hours
Note: Days and times vary depending on department