Did you know that Americans check their phones an average of 96 times per day? That’s a lot of swiping and screen time on a device you’ve probably invested quite a bit of money in!
Most people upgrade their smartphones every couple of years. Some people even trade in their old phones from last year for the latest advancement in smartphone technology.
If you want to find the best place to sell your old phone, it can be difficult to figure out who will pay you the most. You paid top dollar for the phone when it was new, so why not get at least the majority of your investment back?
Our guide below includes legitimate places you can sell your old phone for more. These online and brick-and-mortar retailers work with customers daily to exchange working and even broken smartphones for cash.
You don’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get cash for your old phone. In fact, you’ll probably find more retailers are willing to trade your old smartphone for cash than you originally thought.
Are you ready to learn more about the best place to sell your phone? Let’s get started!
Before You Sell Your Phone
Deciding you want to make extra money and sell your old smartphone can help you increase your savings.
However, you’ll want to first prepare your phone for sale by doing the following:
- Store your data and contacts in another location. This can be helpful if you ever lose your phone, whether it’s the one you’re selling or its replacement.
- Sign out of any accounts, including Google, your bank, social media, etc.
- Remove any sensitive personal information. You might have passwords written down in a notepad app or pictures of your driver’s license or birth certificate for reference. Delete these to ensure your identity isn’t compromised.
- Remove your SIM card and store it in a safe place.
- Factory reset your phone.
- Clean the phone with a disinfecting wipe. Remove any protective cases and clean them as well.
- Take pictures of your phone, including any markings that demonstrate what model it is and what features it has. If you don’t have your new phone yet, you might need a friend’s help to accomplish this.
Did you know that you can also make money by flipping phones? Used phones retain some value, even if they might be outdated in the eyes of their previous owners.
10 of the Best Places to Sell Your Phone
If you need cash now, selling your old smartphone could be one of the most lucrative, stupid ways to make money.
Plus, with the list below, you’ve already done your homework on where to exchange your old smartphone for cash.
Where to Sell |
Phones Accepted |
Seller Fees |
Payout Methods |
Apple |
|
No |
Trade-in |
Amazon |
|
No |
Trade-in |
Best Buy |
|
No |
Trade-in |
Buyback Boss |
|
No |
|
BuyBackWorld |
|
No |
|
Carrier |
Depends on carrier |
No |
Trade-in |
Craigslist |
Any |
No |
Cash |
Decluttr |
|
No |
|
eBay |
Any |
Yes |
Direct deposit |
ecoATM |
|
No |
Cash |
Facebook Marketplace |
Any |
No |
Cash |
Gazelle |
|
No |
|
Nextdoor |
Any |
Yes |
|
OCBuyBack |
|
No |
|
Samsung |
|
No |
Trade-in |
SellCell |
|
No |
Varies by website |
Swappa |
|
Yes |
PayPal |
uSell |
|
No |
|
1. Decluttr
Much like other websites that accept old smartphones, Decluttr also lists other types of technology for sale.
If you want to sell your old cell phone, however, you’ll need to search for your make and model, choose the appropriate condition, and submit the details for a quote.
Decluttr will send you a prepaid mailing label and once they receive your phone, they’ll verify the condition and update your quote if necessary. You typically receive payment a day after the phone arrives and Decluttr verifies the condition.
You can receive payment in several ways, including check, direct deposit, and PayPal.
There are no seller fees and Decluttr accepts brands such as Apple, Google, HTC, Sony, Samsung, Blackberry, LG, OnePlus, Motorola, Oppo, Razer, and Nokia.
You can get started on Decluttr here
- Next-day payment upon delivery of goods
- Get the best prices for your used tech
- 2 different payment options available
- Get extra cash if you are a student
2. Buyback Boss
If you have a broken phone but still want to get paid, Buyback Boss accepts damaged Apple, ASUS, Motorola, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, LG, Microsoft, Huawei, Xiaomi, ZTE, HTC, Sony, Blackberry, Nokia, and Kyocera phones.
Enter your smartphone details on Buyback Boss’ website and receive a free quote on what you could get paid.
This quote is good for 14 days. Buyback Boss doesn’t charge seller fees and pays in about a week after your phone arrives.
If you accept, you’ll download and print a free shipping label to send the phone in. Buyback Boss will verify the condition of your phone and pay you via check or PayPal.
3. BuyBackWorld
In addition to old smartphones, BuyBackWorld (BBW) also purchases cameras, headphones, and MP3 players. There are no seller fees on this particular website, which pays you more if you choose a BBW gift card.
Similar to Buyback Boss, BuyBackWorld will send you a prepaid shipping label to mail in your phone. Once the company verifies the condition of your smartphone, they’ll pay you within two business days.
Payout methods include direct deposit, PayPal, and check. You can also get more if you opt for a BBW gift card and receive payment faster.
BuyBackWorld accepts the following brands:
- Apple
- Blackberry
- Samsung
- ZTE
- Nokia
- OnePlus
- ASUS
- Motorola
- HTC
- Xiaomi
- Kyocera
- Sony
- ASUS
- LG
- Microsoft
- Huawei
4. eBay
Categorized as one of the best money-making apps for those who can flip items for a profit, eBay offers the largest marketplace for used smartphones. Plus, if your smartphone is broken or glitching out, you can still sell it on eBay for parts.
After creating an account on eBay, you’ll need to make a listing for your phone and set a price. You can choose to auction the phone or let people “Buy it Now.”
Selling on eBay does take a bit more work since you have to put in all the details and take pictures yourself. However, you can research the competition and price your phone accordingly.
eBay doesn’t limit which brands you can sell. However, you will either have to pay shipping costs or pass those on to the consumer.
Seller fees on eBay average around 10% of the final price, including both the price of the item itself and shipping. Payments typically come in about two days via direct deposit, though eBay is changing a few aspects of their payment processes that may affect this timeline.
5. ecoATM
Make money instantly by selling your old smartphone to ecoATM. This company exchanges your phone for an instant payout you’ll receive as soon as you drop your phone off at an ecoATM kiosk.
Simply navigate to ecoATM’s website and enter details about your smartphone. You’ll then receive a quote detailing how much you’ll get in exchange for your old phone if you drop it off at one of the 4,500 kiosks located around the country.
While you can often get more money on other websites, ecoATM specializes in quick payments for your smartphone that don’t cost you anything. Plus, the site accepts Motorola, Google, Apple, Samsung, LG, and ZTE phones.
6. Gazelle
You won’t pay any seller fees if you sell your smartphone to Gazelle. However, this company only accepts Google, Samsung, and Apple phones.
Gazelle is known for competitive pricing and pays via Amazon gift card, check, and PayPal. This company will pay you for your smartphone three to five business days after they receive your phone.
7. OCBuyBack
If you own a Google, OnePlus, Apple, or Samsung smartphone, OCBuyBack will pay you to send it their way. After you enter the details of your phone, you’ll get a quote and a prepaid shipping label to seal the deal.
However, you can also drop off your phone at this California-based company if you’re in the area. This can speed up the process, which is already fairly quick.
Once OCBuyBack receives your phone, they typically pay you within a day of verifying the condition. Payouts come via PayPal or check and there are no seller fees.
8. SellCell
Scrolling through websites and comparing options can take quite a bit of time unless you use SellCell. This website compares prices for you so you can find the best deal in a few clicks.
SellCell compares over 40 websites to give you an idea of the kind of money you can get for your old smartphone. Simply search for your model and finish the process with the website you choose.
Depending on which website you choose, payouts come in various methods. SellCell doesn’t charge seller fees and accepts the following phone brands:
- OnePlus
- LG
- Nokia
- Apple
- Samsung
- HTC
- Sony
- Motorola
- Blackberry
- Huawei
- ZTE
9. Swappa
As with many of the websites you’ve seen so far, Swappa accepts most major smartphone brands. On Swappa, you’ll connect directly with other users to get the most you can for your old phone.
It can take a bit longer to sell your phone on Swappa but you can potentially get a higher price. You’ll get paid immediately through PayPal once you do sell it and the PayPal fee is passed on to the buyer.
10. uSell
Like SellCell, uSell connects you with buyers to get the highest price for your old phone. uSell sends you a prepaid shipping label and processes payments in about five days after receiving your phone.
The biggest perk is that uSell does accept damaged phones as long as they’re not completely broken. Payouts come via check and PayPal without any seller fees deducted from that.
uSell accepts Nokia, Blackberry, Dell, Google, Samsung, LG, Apple, OnePlus, Motorola, Sony, Dell, Huawei, and HTC.
Alternative Ways to Sell Your Phone
Weighing your options when it comes to selling your old phone can have you wondering, what about local selling apps like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist? Some of the best side hustles come out of leveraging these apps to get cash for items you no longer want, so why wouldn’t smartphones qualify?
The fact of the matter is, you can easily sell your old phone locally with these apps. While you’re not guaranteed payment like with the companies above, you may be able to get more for your phone if the right person stumbles upon your listing.
Members of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist often deal in cash, but Nextdoor can help you receive payments in other ways. Plus, if you work with your family and friends network, you can make trades and strike deals that work best for you.
Trading In Your Old Phone
Another alternative to selling your phone online or in person for cash is to trade it in for a new phone instead. This is often a preferred process for most folks who don’t have the time or energy to put into selling their old smartphones themselves.
In addition, trading in your old phone can help you pay for your new phone by knocking down the price. In terms of convenience and return on investment, trading in your old phone scores big.
Here are a few places you can visit if you want to trade your old phone in for a new one. Just be sure these retailers have the new phone model you’re looking for before you initiate the deal.
Service Carrier
Companies such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, and Verizon will often pay you to trade in a phone you’re no longer using. If you plan on continuing a service plan with your carrier, this can often be the most convenient way to afford your new phone and get rid of the old one.
Amazon
Yes, you can trade in your old phone for a new one on Amazon without paying anything. However, you’ll only receive payment in Amazon gift cards.
Payouts typically come about two days after Amazon receives your phone, as the site accepts LG, Motorola, Apple, Samsung, and Google phones.
Apple
Most iPhone users know that they can trade in their old phones for the latest edition through the Apple Trade In program. However, Apple accepts more than just iPhones.
Bring your old Blackberry, HTC, Huawei, Nokia, Google, Samsung, Sony, LG, OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, or Vivo phone and you could get a discount on a new iPhone. You’ll get paid immediately if you visit a local Apple store, which is much quicker than the two- to three-week lead time for mailing in your phone.
Best Buy
Go online or visit a Best Buy store near you to trade in your old Microsoft, Nokia, Sony, Samsung, Google, LG, Apple, HTC, Motorola, or OnePlus phone. There are no seller fees and you’ll get an immediate payout if you bring your phone to a physical location.
If you prefer to do it all online, you’ll enter your smartphone details, get an instant quote, and ship it to a Best Buy location. You’ll receive payment about a week or so after the item arrives.
Samsung
Like Amazon, Samsung will instantly apply any funds you receive from trading in your old phone as a credit to your account. In addition to Samsung phones, this retailer also accepts Google, OnePlus, Razer, Apple, Motorola, and LG phones.
Unlike some of the other companies on our list, Samsung does accept phones with cracked screens. However, broken phones are not eligible for credit.
FAQs
Which phone brands can I sell to make money?
You can sell almost any phone brand to make money. It all depends on where you’re selling your phone and what brands that platform accepts.
Can I still sell my cell phone if it’s broken?
Yes, you can still sell your cell phone if it’s broken. Some of the companies on our list above will accept broken phones, including eBay and Buyback Boss.
Is selling your phone online legitimate and safe?
Yes, selling your phone online is legitimate and safe. Just be sure to wipe any personal information from your phone and perform a factory reset before you send it off.
Which sites pay the most for old smartphones?
The sites above will pay top dollar for old smartphones, depending on which brand of phone you own. Prices vary from one retailer to the next, so it’s often best to compare prices across platforms before you decide which one to go with.
Make the Call and Sell Your Old Phone
Getting a new phone can be an exciting event but ditching the old one can be just as rewarding. With the websites above, you can easily make extra money by selling your old smartphone for cash, gift cards, or store credit.
The good news is that you have multiple options to choose from, giving you the upper hand. Plus, if you want to trade your old phone in, you can potentially get an extra discount on your new one.
After seeing the money you can make on your old phone, you might even consider upgrading early. What will you do with the funds you make from selling your old phone?
