Uber is expanding its accessibility features across the Middle East and North Africa with the introduction of Senior Accounts and Simple Mode, two new tools designed to make ride-hailing more approachable for older adults. Now available in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Lebanon, the launch aims to make travel easier for seniors while offering additional support to their families.
Senior Accounts are part of Uber’s Family Profiles feature and offer a stripped-down version of the app with larger text, simplified interfaces, and easy-to-navigate menus. Riders can save favorite destinations, use various payment methods, and allow designated family members to monitor or manage rides remotely. The idea is to reduce friction for seniors who may find traditional ride-hailing apps overly complex, while also giving peace of mind to loved ones.
For older users who prefer full control, Simple Mode can be independently activated in the app’s accessibility settings. It mirrors the same streamlined experience but doesn’t require being part of a Family Profile. This dual approach allows Uber to accommodate varying levels of digital literacy while keeping the user experience intuitive and customizable.
The new features are especially timely in MENA, where seniors often face challenges accessing reliable transport due to climate, public transit limitations, or mobility constraints. With high summer temperatures and often spread-out urban areas, door-to-door transport becomes essential. Uber’s move fills a growing need for inclusive mobility tools that support aging populations while recognizing the region’s deeply rooted family structures.
Uber notes that these tools were developed with input from older riders and accessibility experts, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to universal design. The MENA rollout follows similar launches in the U.S., Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, where early feedback pointed to increased independence among senior users and a growing reliance on digital mobility solutions.
Here’s how it works: A family member adds an older adult to their Uber Family Profile, triggering a text message that guides them through downloading and setting up the app. Once activated, the older adult can request rides independently or rely on their family for help when needed. Family members can also schedule rides, track journeys, or adjust settings remotely — providing another layer of convenience and safety.
These new additions complement Uber’s earlier features like Teen Accounts and expand the company’s strategy of creating mobility options for users of all ages. As the platform increasingly becomes a tool for entire households, Uber continues to build out an experience that reflects the diverse needs of its global user base.
With mobility becoming a growing concern for aging populations, especially in car-dependent regions, Uber’s Senior Accounts could become a vital digital bridge between autonomy and family support — without the complications of public transit or the need for personal vehicles.
