Apps & Services

Beginner

5 min read 7 stepsMay 17, 2026Verified May 2026

Your First Instacart Order — Step-by-Step Guide in 2026

Order groceries online and have them delivered to your door. A plain-English walkthrough for first-time Instacart users.

At a Glance

Download the Instacart app

~29s

On iPhone: open the App Store, tap Search, type "Instacart," and tap Get on the green carrot logo (the official one is by "Instacart"). On Android: open the Google Play Store, search "Instacart," and tap Install on the same green carrot logo. The app is free. You can also use Instacart in a web browser at instacart.com, which is easier for some people because the screen is bigger.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: If you do not have a smartphone, use Instacart on a computer or tablet. It works exactly the same way.

Create an account

~23s

Open the app, tap "Sign Up," and enter your email, a password (write it down), and your zip code. Instacart asks for your zip code first because it determines which stores deliver to you. It then asks for your name and phone number — the phone number is so the shopper can text you if they have a question. Verify your phone number with the 6-digit code Instacart texts you.

Pick a store

~33s

After signing up, the app shows you every grocery store that delivers to your address. They are sorted by distance and delivery time. Tap a store to start shopping. The big ones (Costco, Aldi, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Whole Foods) usually have the best selection and prices. Costco and Sam's Club require a membership for delivery — if you do not have one, pick a different store. Aldi is often the cheapest. Whole Foods is owned by Amazon and shows up if you live in their delivery zone.

Warning

Prices on Instacart are often higher than in the store — sometimes 10–20% higher. The convenience costs extra.

Build your cart

~36s

Browse by aisle (Produce, Dairy, Meat, Pantry, etc.) or use the search bar at the top to find specific items. Tap the green plus sign on any item to add it to your cart. To change the quantity, tap the plus or minus signs. For weighed items like bananas or chicken, you order by amount (1 lb, 2 lb) or by item count (a bunch, 4 pieces). The cart icon at the bottom right shows your running total. Most stores have a $10 minimum order.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: When ordering produce, write a note in the "Special Instructions" box like "Please pick ripe avocados, ready to eat in 2 days." The shopper reads it and picks accordingly.

Set replacements for out-of-stock items

~29s

This is the most important step new users skip. For every item in your cart, tap "Replacement preference" and tell the shopper what to do if the store is out of that item. You have three choices: (1) "Pick the best replacement" — the shopper substitutes a similar item; (2) "Don't replace, refund this item" — you get your money back if it is out of stock; (3) "Choose a specific replacement" — you pick a second option in advance. Setting these now prevents 90% of frustrating substitutions.

Schedule delivery and check out

~35s

Tap the cart icon, then "Go to checkout." Confirm your delivery address (apartment number matters!). Pick a delivery window — the soonest is usually 1 hour from now, or you can schedule up to 2 weeks ahead. Add your credit or debit card if you have not already. Tap the tip line and choose a tip — 5% is the default but $5–$10 in dollars is the polite norm. Tap "Place Order" to send your order to the store.

Warning

Instacart adds a "service fee" of 5% on top of your order — this is NOT the tip. Always add a separate tip for the shopper, who depends on tips for income.

What to expect during delivery

~42s

Within a few minutes, Instacart assigns a shopper. You will get a text or notification with the shopper's name and photo. They start shopping in the store. If an item is unavailable, they will message you through the app — respond within 60 seconds or they will make the call themselves based on your replacement preferences. When they check out and start driving, the app shows you a map with their location. They will text you when they arrive. Most shoppers leave bags at your door and ring the bell, then drive away — unless you tell them to hand it directly to you.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: If the delivery is wrong (missing item, damaged, expired), report it in the app under "Your Orders" within 7 days. Instacart refunds you with no questions asked.

You Did It!

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Instacart is a service that sends a real person — called a "shopper" — to a store near you to pick out your groceries, then deliver them to your door. You pay through the app, you tip the shopper. And you never leave the house. It is especially useful if you have trouble carrying heavy bags, do not drive, or live far from a good grocery store.

The basics: Instacart works with most major U.S. grocery chains — Aldi, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Wegmans, Whole Foods, ShopRite, H-E-B, Sam's Club, BJ's, CVS, Walgreens, Sprouts, and many regional chains. Delivery usually arrives within 1–2 hours of placing the order. The first order is usually free delivery for new customers. After that, expect a $4–$8 delivery fee plus an optional tip ($5–$10 is typical).

(Sources: Instacart help center, instacart.com/help; Consumer Reports 2026 grocery delivery comparison; AARP article on grocery delivery for seniors)

Watch a walkthrough: search YouTube for "Instacart for beginners 2026" — Senior Tech Club and Tech With Sandra both have current step-by-step videos.

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Official Resources

Apple App Store Support Google Play Help GCFGlobal — Apps

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