Starbucks adds tipping to new iPhone app

Starbucks doesn’t want you to forget about your baristas. The coffee giant is launching an updated mobile app for iPhone users with a new tipping feature.

The app, coming March 19, will allow users to leave a tip at more than 7,000 Starbucks stores in the U.S. Customers are given the option to tip 50 cents, $1 or $2 on their purchases.

The tipping idea has been a hot topic on MyStarbucksIdea.com, an online community where people can post suggestions to the company.

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

The company estimates that nearly 10 million customers use the mobile app and that more than 11% of the total Starbucks transactions per week take place on a mobile device.

The new app will also include an updated design and a shake to pay feature. If you’re at a Starbucks location and need to pay, you can shake your phone to bring up the barcode of your Starbucks card.

If you’re an Android user, you’ll have to wait till later this year for the new app.

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