Ibotta: Your Mobile Shopping Companion & Key to Earning Money

Everybody loves a good deal, right?

Would you say no to earning cash back after purchasing common products such as groceries, household items, and even alcohol? Of course you wouldn't!

Ibotta is an app for smartphones (as well as iPads and iPods) that offers many different rebates on products, earning you real cash.

Browse the products linked to the rebates, and complete one of the short tasks like watching a video or answering a one question survey to unlock the rebates.
When you go shopping and purchase products, you simply take a picture of the itemized receipt and wait for the rebate to appear in your virtual bank within 24 hours.

After reaching a certain amount in your virtual bank, you can turn this into real cash or various gift cards!

This instructable will provide you with a step-by-step guide on setting up an Ibotta account and earning rebates.

Step 1: Download the Ibotta Application

To get started, download the Ibotta Application on your Apple or Android device. This includes iPhones, iPads, iPods, and android phones. Unfortunately tablets are not supported at this time. For a detailed list of supported devices, please visit Device Advice: A Guide to Supported Devices.

If you are using an Apple device, please visit the application store and search "Ibotta". You will find the app with the same icon as above. The app will be free of charge. Please download the application.

If you are using an Android device, please visit the Google Play Store and search "Ibotta." You will see the app with the same icon as above. The app will be free of charge. Please download the application.

Once downloaded, open Ibotta and click "Get Started"

Step 2: Creating Your Account

Scroll to the right through the list of the starter menu, exploring the many benefits Ibotta brings you.

“Unlock cash back rebates before you shop.” See the first image above.
“Buy products at a store near you.”
“Verify purchases by taking a photo of your receipt.”
“You’ll get cash back in less than 24 hours." See the second image above.

Click "Create an Account"

Here, you will be prompted to either connect with Facebook, or use an email address to be associated with your new account. See the last image above.

If choosing email, please see the next step.
If choosing Facebook, please see Step 4: Using Facebook to Set Up Your Ibotta Account.

Step 3: Using Email to Set Up Your Ibotta Account

Here, you will enter your:

First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Password
Birthdate
Gender (Optional)
Zip Code

TIP: enter your current zip code as opposed to your permanent one, as this will find you rebates in the stores near you.

Referral code from a friend (optional)

After finished, click “Create Account”

Once entered, the Home screen of Ibotta will show up, looking something like the second image pictured above.

If you later decide you want to link your account to Facebook, you can easily click “link account” in the left side menu and enter your Facebook information.

Step 4: Using Facebook to Set Up Your Ibotta Account

Here, you will enter your:

Facebook email address
Facebook password

This will easily link your Facebook account to Ibotta.

Once entered, the Home screen of Ibotta will show up, looking something like the image pictured above.

Step 5: Explore the App & Go Shopping!

To begin exploring rebates, select one of the Rebate categories or use the search bar.
Select a nearby Retailer and browse the offered rebates.
Select and unlock rebates of interest by answering a simple question or watching a short video Ad. See the third image above.

Once your rebates of interest are unlocked, they will be added to your unlocked rebates, which can be seen by clicking the $ tag in the upper right corner.

Go shopping!

Note: Rebates include certain specifics about products or a certain number that must be purchased in order to receive the rebate. Make note of this before purchasing your items.

Ibotta works at more than 80 retailers!

Step 6: Redeem Your Purchases

You must verify your purchases and Ibotta will add the correct cash amount to your account within 24 hours.

First, press the green "Verify Purchases" button. Then select the store you purchased items from. See the first image above.

For some stores (Kroger, for example), you must scan the bar code of the item, as well as take a picture of the receipt. See the second image above.

If the store selected is an “Ibotta Preferred Partner,” you can verify your purchase without taking a picture of the receipt, but instead by linking your rewards account to your Ibotta account. By doing this, your purchases will automatically be entered into Ibotta and you will not have to verify each purchase with the receipts! See the third image above.

A QR code may be required to verify your purchase. This is only for certain retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, etc. You will be prompted to enter this when clicking the green verify purchases button. You will select the products you bought, and then scan the QR code on the [Walmart] receipt. It is no more complicated than scanning the bar code and taking a picture of the receipt! See the last image above.

Step 7: Cash Will Be Added to Your Account!

After verifying your purchases, cash will be added to your account within 24 hours.

In order to receive this cash in a tangible form, you can either link your Ibotta account to PayPal or Venmo, or even create a new account with PayPal or Venmo within the Ibotta app.
Another option is to buy gift cards with differing amounts depending on how much cash you have in your account.

Note: There are minimum cash values required to receive the actual cash.

For example, you cannot turn $5 into a Starbucks gift card. Explore the minimum values required of the Application. The gift card options change from time to time, so be sure to explore the options and each minimum required of that gift card.

To withdraw your cash:

Go to the left side menu. Click on "Withdraw Cash" See both images above.

Here you will be able to see your balance, and transfer cash or buy gift cards

Step 8: Invite Your Friends!

A great way to earn extra cash and bonuses on Ibotta is to invite your friends to start using Ibotta as well.

You will get $5 when you invite friends using your referral code, and each person who signs up and redeems their first rebate will get $10!

Go to the left side menu and click "Invite Friends" See the first image above.
You can invite friends via Facebook, Twitter, Email, Text, and More. See the second image above.
Your referral code will also be directly displayed for your convenience. See the second image above.
Friends you invite will join onto your "team" See the last image above.

The bigger your team is, the faster and easier it is to finish and earn Teamwork levels. These will earn you extra cash and bonuses!