Once your SkipTheDishes account is approved, you’re pretty much cleared to start—but before you hit your first shift, there are a few things you should get dialed in.
First login to the Skip Courier App
Log in using the email and password you used during approval. Make sure you’re using the Skip Courier app, not the customer app—sounds obvious, but it happens more than you’d think.
Quick app setup check
Before doing anything else, double-check that:
- Location (GPS) is set to Always On
- Notifications are enabled
- Mobile data is active
- This stuff is crucial—miss an order because of settings, and that’s just a rough start.
Understanding online vs offline status
- Offline: You won’t receive any orders
- Online (during a shift): You’re active and can receive offers
You can’t just go online anytime—Skip only sends orders during booked shifts.
App updates matter (for real)
Always keep the app updated. An outdated app can mean lag, missing orders, or random crashes mid-shift—and yeah, that’s a pain.
Do a quick dry run
Before your first real shift, open the app and tap around:
- Check the home screen
- Look at shift info
- Open settings
Better to figure things out now than while parked outside a busy restaurant.
Think of this step as your pre-game warm-up. Get the app sorted, settings locked in, and you’ll roll into your first shift way more confident—smooth start, no stress.
Understanding the Home Screen
The home screen in the Skip Courier app is where you’ll spend most of your time. Once you know what each section does, everything feels way less intimidating.
Active shift overview
At the top, you’ll see your current or upcoming shift:
- Start and end time
- Delivery zone
This confirms you’re in the right place at the right time—always worth a quick glance.
Zone information
Your zone tells you where Skip expects you to be during the shift. Staying inside or near this area helps you get orders faster and avoids unnecessary downtime.
Online status indicator
The app clearly shows whether you’re:
- Waiting for orders
- Receiving an offer
- In the middle of a delivery
If you’re not getting orders, this is the first thing to check.
Connection and GPS status
Weak signal or GPS issues usually show up here. If something looks off, move to a spot with better reception before orders start rolling in.
Menu and basic settings access
From the home screen, you can quickly jump to:
- Shift schedule
- Earnings summary
- Help & support
- App settings
Once you’re comfortable with the home screen, the rest of the app just clicks. It’s your command centre—keep an eye on it, and you’ll stay one step ahead during every shift.
How to Book and Manage Shifts
Shifts are the backbone of how SkipTheDishes works. If you know how to book and manage them properly, you’ll avoid a lot of rookie mistakes.
Viewing available shifts
Open the Schedule section in the app to see:
- Available dates and times
- Delivery zones
- Shift length
Popular shifts—especially evenings and weekends—can disappear fast.
Booking a shift
- Tap the shift you want
- Confirm your selection
Once booked, the shift is locked in and will appear on your home screen.
Editing or dropping a shift
- You can drop a shift if something comes up
- Just make sure you do it early enough
Repeated last-minute drops can hurt your reliability.
Late start and no-show rules
- Logging in late can reduce order priority
- Not showing up at all is a big red flag
If you’re running late, log in as soon as you safely can.
Smart shift strategy for new drivers
- Start with shorter shifts
- Avoid back-to-back zones at first
- Learn one zone well before trying others
Think of shifts like reservations—you book your spot, and Skip expects you to show up. Handle this part well, and the rest of the app experience gets way smoother.
Going Online and Receiving Orders
Once your shift starts, it’s go time. This is where the app really comes alive and you start seeing delivery offers.
Starting your shift
- Log in a few minutes before your shift time
- Make sure you’re physically inside or near your delivery zone
- Tap Go Online to start receiving orders
How order notifications work
- Orders pop up with a sound and on-screen alert
- You’ll see basic details like distance and pickup location
- You usually have a short time window to respond
Accepting or declining an order
- Tap Accept to lock it in
- Letting the timer run out counts as a missed offer
- Skipping too many offers can affect how often you see new ones.
What happens after you accept
- The app switches to pickup mode
- Navigation to the restaurant becomes active
- Order details are now locked to your account
If orders feel slow
- Double-check your GPS and connection
- Move toward busier areas within your zone
- Sometimes it’s just a quiet shift—happens to everyone
First few orders can feel a bit nerve-wracking, but once you accept that first one, it’s smooth sailing. Stay calm, tap the right buttons, and you’re officially in the game.
Understanding Order Details
Before you accept an order—or right after you do—it’s important to quickly read the order details. This helps you avoid surprises and keeps the delivery smooth.
Restaurant information
- Restaurant name and location
- Estimated pickup time
- This tells you where you’re headed and how rushed (or chill) the pickup might be.
Customer drop-off address
- Full address with unit number (if provided)
- Sometimes includes delivery instructions
- Always double-check this so you’re not scrambling later.
Estimated distance and route
- Shows how far the delivery is
- Helps you gauge traffic and timing
- Handy for deciding how to pace the delivery.
Special notes from the restaurant
- “Wait inside” or “use side entrance”
- Heads-up about prep delays
- These notes can save you a lot of time if you actually read them.
Customer delivery instructions
- Buzz codes, gate access, or parking tips
- Preferences like “leave at door”. Ignoring these is one of the fastest ways to get a bad experience.
Taking a few seconds to scan the order details can save you minutes—and stress—later on. Pro move: always read before you roll, eh.
Accepting an Order and Navigation
Once you’ve accepted an order, the app guides you step by step. The key here is to move efficiently without rushing.
Confirming the order acceptance
- Tap Accept and wait for confirmation
- The order is now assigned to you. Backing out after this point is strongly discouraged unless there’s a real issue.
Navigating to the restaurant
- Tap the navigation button in the app
- Follow the suggested route or use your preferred map app. Try to park legally and close—tickets are not worth it.
Arriving at the restaurant
- Check in using the app if prompted
- Let staff know you’re with SkipTheDishes. Being polite goes a long way, especially during busy hours.
Handling wait times
- If the food isn’t ready, be patient but aware
- Use the app to note delays if available. Standing around happens—don’t stress it.
Confirming food pickup
- Make sure the order matches the app
- Secure the food in your thermal bag
- Tap Picked Up to move to delivery mode
Once the food is in your bag and the app says you’re good, you’re officially on the way. Smooth pickup, smooth delivery—that’s the goal.
Delivering the Order
This is the final stretch of the delivery. Do it right, and everything wraps up clean and easy.
Navigating to the customer
- Use the in-app navigation or your preferred map app
- Watch for condos, apartments, and tricky entrances
- Slow down near the drop-off—addresses can be sneaky
Following drop-off instructions
- Leave at door: place the food neatly, step back, and take a clear photo
- Hand to customer: confirm the name and hand off the order
- Always follow what’s in the app, even if it feels repetitive.
Handling condos and apartments
- Use buzz codes or call the customer if needed
- Don’t tailgate into secured buildings
- If access fails, follow in-app prompts before doing anything else
Completing the delivery in the app
- Upload the delivery photo (if required)
- Confirm the order is delivered
- Wait for the app to reset for the next offer
After the drop-off
- Head back toward your zone if needed
- Stay online if your shift is still active. Next order could pop up any second.
Clean drop-offs keep things drama-free. Be clear, follow instructions, and move on—easy win, eh.
Common App Issues for New Drivers
Even though the Skip Courier app is pretty straightforward, new drivers often run into a few common issues. Most of them are easy fixes once you know what to do.
GPS not updating or inaccurate
- Toggle location services off and on
- Make sure location access is set to Always
- Move to an open area away from tall buildings
Orders not coming in
- Check that you’re actually online and on an active shift
- Confirm you’re inside your delivery zone
- Poor signal can quietly block offers
App freezing or crashing
- Force close and reopen the app
- Check for app updates
- Restart your phone if needed
Can’t mark order as picked up or delivered
- Refresh the app
- Double-check you’re at the correct location
- If it still won’t work, contact in-app support
Battery drain during shifts
- Keep a car charger or power bank handy
- Close unused apps in the background
- Canadian winter cold doesn’t help either.
Stuff like this happens to everyone, especially on the first few shifts. Don’t panic—fix the basics, keep moving, and you’ll be back on track in no time.
Using Courier Support the Smart Way (When You Actually Need It)
SkipTheDishes courier support isn’t there for every small hiccup. Knowing when to use it—and how to use it properly—can save your shift and protect your account.
How to access courier support
- Open the active order
- Tap Help or Support
- Support is usually available only during an active delivery
- In-app chat is much faster than email
Situations where you SHOULD contact support
- Restaurant is closed when you arrive
- Restaurant refuses to release the order
- Order details don’t match what the restaurant provides
- Customer is unreachable and delivery cannot be completed
- App is frozen or won’t let you move to the next step
Situations where support usually won’t help
- Traffic delays
- Parking problems
- Customer is slow to respond but still reachable. These are generally considered part of the job.
How to communicate with support efficiently
- Be clear and straight to the point
- State the problem first, details second Example: “Restaurant is closed. I’m at the location now. Please advise.”
- Long explanations usually slow things down.
Critical rule: always follow in-app instructions
- Don’t cancel or abandon an order without guidance
- Never mark an order as delivered unless support tells you to. This is key to avoiding account issues.
Think of courier support like roadside assistance:
you don’t use it for every minor issue, but when things really go sideways, it can save both your shift and your account.
Best Practices for First-Time Skip Drivers
Your first few shifts with SkipTheDishes can feel a bit hectic, but a few smart habits will make things way smoother from day one.
Don’t overthink your first shift
- Accept a few orders just to get the flow
- Focus on learning the app, not being perfect. Everyone’s first shift is a bit scuffed—normal stuff.
Stay inside your zone as much as possible
- Orders usually come faster when you’re nearby
- Avoid wandering too far after a drop-off. Less dead time, less frustration.
Read instructions every single time
- Restaurant notes
- Customer drop-off instructions. Skipping this is the fastest way to mess up an easy delivery.
Keep the app running clean
- Don’t force-close it mid-shift
- Watch your battery level and signal. App issues cause more problems than traffic ever will.
Be realistic with expectations
- Some shifts are busy, some are dead
- Not every order will be smooth. Stay chill and move on to the next one.
Think of your first shift as practice
- You’re building confidence, not chasing perfection
- Each delivery gets easier. After a few shifts, everything starts to feel automatic.
Final note:
SkipTheDishes is simple once you get used to it. Learn the app, follow instructions, stay calm, and you’ll be just fine. First shift done, the rest is just reps.
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