Uber’s ninth annual Lost & Found Index has dropped, and it’s a fascinating glimpse into the chaos of human forgetfulness.
Released on April 8, 2025, the report catalogs the most common and downright bizarre items left behind in Uber rides over the past year. From everyday essentials to head-scratching oddities, the list is equal parts hilarious and bewildering. Let’s dive into the highlights and marvel at what people manage to leave in the backseat.
The Weird and Wonderful
While phones, keys, and wallets top the list of commonly forgotten items (with a staggering 1.7 million phones left behind), it’s the unique finds that steal the show. Here are some personal favorites that sound like they belong in a quirky museum:
- Viking drinking horn: Perfect for channeling your inner Norse warrior, but apparently not essential enough to remember.
- Ghostbusters ghost trap: Who you gonna call when you lose your paranormal containment device?
- Live turtle: A pet left behind, hopefully just taking a slow stroll to the next destination.
- Shrek ears: For that ogre-chic look, forgotten post-swamp party.
- Traffic cone: Because who doesn’t need a construction prop on the go?
- Gold teeth: A shiny smile left in the backseat—hope they weren’t too attached.
- 5-gallon bucket of beans: Enough to feed a small army, but somehow not worth retrieving.
The full list, available at Uber’s Newsroom, includes other gems like a chainsaw, fresh breast milk, 175 hamburger sliders, and even divorce papers. As Camiel Irving, Uber’s VP of Operations, put it, “From wayward mannequin heads to live lobsters, Uber riders have left behind some truly unforgettable items this year.”
Forgetful Days and Cosmic Excuses
The index also reveals when riders are most likely to lose their belongings. The most forgetful day? October 26, 2024, which coincidentally fell on the Saturday of Halloween weekend. Late-night revelry clearly leads to loose grips on personal items. The witching hours of 11 p.m. to midnight also saw a spike in lost item reports.
Astrology fans might smirk at another trend: lost items surged during Mercury retrograde, with over 7,000 reports on April 5, 2024, alone.
As Uber cheekily notes, astrologists claim this cosmic event messes with memory—perhaps the perfect excuse for forgetting your Viking horn.
Red Alert and Apple Obsession
Color trends add another layer of intrigue. Red was the most commonly lost color, with over 8,000 red items reported. Whether it’s a cherry-red lip gloss or a scarlet cardigan, riders seem to misplace their vibrant belongings with alarming frequency.
Tech giant Apple also claimed a dubious crown, with iPhones, AirPods, and other Apple products dominating as the most lost brand. Combined, 1.7 million iPhones and Androids were left behind, proving that even our most prized gadgets aren’t immune to forgetfulness.
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New York: The Forgetful Capital
New York City earned the title of “most forgetful city,” followed closely by Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. To celebrate this dubious honor, Uber hosted a one-day pop-up event in Manhattan’s Flatiron district on April 8, showcasing some of the weirder lost items and handing out freebies like Bose headphones and Maybelline lip gloss. Attendees also got tips on how to retrieve lost items via the Uber app—a handy feature for anyone who’s ever left their Shrek ears behind.
How to Reclaim Your Lost Loot
Losing something in an Uber doesn’t have to be a saga. The app makes it easy to contact your driver and coordinate a pickup.
Simply select the trip in the app, navigate to the “Find lost item” section, and reach out. If you’ve lost your phone, you can log in from another device to start the process.
Uber’s index reminds riders that whether it’s a phone or a bucket of beans, getting your stuff back is just a few taps away.
A Snapshot of Human Nature
The 2025 Lost & Found Index is more than a quirky list — it’s a testament to the delightful unpredictability of human behavior. From practical to absurd, the items we leave behind tell stories of late-night adventures, rushed exits, and maybe a little too much Halloween spirit. So, next time you hop out of an Uber, double-check the backseat. You wouldn’t want to be the one who loses a live turtle—or worse, your dignity.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve left behind?
