Yes. UPS drivers often take a photo when they leave a package at a residential address without a signature, showing where the package was left. UPS says you can view these proof-of-delivery photos on the UPS.com tracking page, in the delivery confirmation email or notification, and on the UPS My Choice dashboard.
Not every delivery gets a photo, though, and knowing when to expect one (and what to do when there isn’t one) saves time if a package goes missing. This guide explains how UPS delivery photos work, where to find them and what other proof of delivery UPS offers.
Does UPS Take Pictures of Delivery?
UPS takes delivery photos as visual proof of delivery, mainly for packages left unattended at homes: on a porch, by a door or in another safe spot. The photo is taken with the driver’s handheld device at the moment of delivery and attached to the package’s tracking record, so it appears alongside the delivery scan.
The photo is meant to show the package in place, ideally with something that identifies the location, like the door, house number or porch. It answers the two most common questions after a “Delivered” status: was it really delivered, and where exactly was it left?
How Do You See a UPS Delivery Photo?
UPS lists several places where a proof-of-delivery photo can appear once the package is marked delivered:
- UPS.com tracking page: enter the tracking number at ups.com/track and look in the delivery details; where a photo exists, it shows the delivery location.
- Delivery confirmation email or text: if you signed up for UPS notifications, the delivered alert may include the photo.
- UPS My Choice dashboard: members can see delivery photos for packages coming to their address, along with delivery alerts and options.
- The UPS mobile app: tracking a package in the app shows the same delivery details as the website.
Your tracking number is the key to all of these. If you can’t find it, our guide to the UPS tracking number explains where it appears and what its format looks like.
Which UPS Deliveries Include a Photo?
Photos are most likely when there’s no one to hand the package to and no signature is collected. Other deliveries are documented in different ways:
| Delivery situation | Photo likely? | Other proof of delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Residential, left unattended without a signature | Yes, in most cases | Delivery scan with time and location |
| Signature required (Delivery Confirmation services) | Not typically | Signer’s name and electronic signature |
| Handed to a person at a home or business | Not typically | Delivery scan; name of the recipient where recorded |
| Delivered to a UPS Access Point or held at a location | No | Access Point scan; recipient pickup is recorded |
| Business address during business hours | Not typically | Delivery scan and recipient name |
Whether a photo is captured also depends on conditions at the stop, such as lighting and where the package can safely be left. Treat a photo as a helpful extra rather than a guarantee for every residential delivery.
How Does a Delivery Photo Fit Into UPS Tracking?
Every UPS package is scanned at each step of its journey: pickup, origin facility, transit hubs, out for delivery and delivered. The photo is attached to the final delivery scan, which also records the date and time. Our explainer on how UPS scans and tracks packages covers each of those scans in detail.
If a package hasn’t arrived yet and you’re simply waiting for it, the photo won’t exist until delivery. For typical timing, see how long UPS Ground takes, or our broader guide to how long UPS takes to deliver across all services.
What Should You Do if the Photo Shows the Wrong Place?
A delivery photo that shows a door you don’t recognize is useful evidence. Take these steps quickly:
- Check the photo for clues: a house number, door color or porch can tell you whether it’s a neighbor’s address.
- Look around and ask neighbors: misdeliveries to the house next door are common and easy to resolve.
- Contact UPS: report the issue with the tracking number and a screenshot of the photo. UPS can investigate with the driver.
- Tell the shipper: the sender is usually the party who files a loss claim with UPS, so let them know what happened.
If there’s no photo and the package isn’t there, the same steps apply. You can also request formal proof of delivery, which includes the delivery time, address and the signer’s name where available. Our guide to UPS proof of delivery shows how to get it.
How Can You Make Delivery Photos More Useful?
A few small steps improve the odds that a delivery photo clearly shows your home:
- Make the house number visible from the street and near the door.
- Leave delivery instructions in UPS My Choice, such as “leave at side door,” so the photo shows a spot you’ll check.
- Turn on notifications so you see the photo as soon as the package is delivered.
- Redirect valuable packages to a UPS Access Point location or require a signature if theft is a concern.
For a package that needs a signature but no one will be home, our guide to UPS signature-required options explains what you can do. Senders can add signature confirmation when buying the label; if you ship UPS often, ParcelPath offers free UPS and USPS labels with up to 85% off UPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UPS always take a picture when delivering?
No. UPS delivery photos are mainly taken when a package is left at a residential address without a signature. Deliveries handed to a person, deliveries that require a signature and packages sent to a UPS Access Point usually have other proof, such as the signer’s name or an Access Point scan. Conditions at the stop can also prevent a photo.
Where do I find my UPS delivery photo?
Track the package at ups.com/track and open the delivery details, where a proof-of-delivery photo appears if one was taken. UPS says the photo can also show up in your delivery confirmation email or notification and on the UPS My Choice dashboard. You’ll need the tracking number, and the photo only appears after the package is marked delivered.
Can I request a delivery photo from UPS if none appears?
If no photo appears on the tracking page, UPS likely didn’t capture one. You can still contact UPS with your tracking number to ask about the delivery, or request proof of delivery, which records the delivery time, address and signer’s name where available. If the package is missing, the shipper should be told so they can start a claim.
Does UPS take pictures of deliveries to businesses?
Usually not during business hours. When a UPS driver hands a package to staff at a business, the delivery is typically recorded with the recipient’s name rather than a photo. Photos are most common for residential packages left unattended. If a business package is left outside after hours, a photo may be taken in the same way.
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For more on UPS, our UPS frequently asked questions guide answers common delivery questions, our UPS shipping services and options hub covers every service, and you can browse the best shipping services and solutions.
Part of our UPS Tracking and Delivery guide. Related: UPS Tracking Number, UPS Tracking Statuses, UPS Tracking.
