An old cell phone can be traded in, sold, donated, or recycled, and a working one is usually worth real money. No matter which path you pick, back it up, sign out of your accounts, and erase it first so none of your personal data goes with it.
Most of us have a drawer with at least one old phone in it. Here is how to wipe yours safely and get the most out of it.
First: Back Up and Erase It
- Back up your photos and contacts to the cloud or a computer.
- Sign out of your accounts, like your Apple Account or Google account. On an iPhone this also turns off Activation Lock.
- Remove the SIM and any memory card.
- Factory reset the phone to erase everything.
Skipping the sign-out step is the top reason a traded-in or sold phone gets rejected, so do not miss it.
Trade It In or Sell It
- Trade-in. Carriers, Apple, Samsung, and Best Buy give credit toward a new phone, and sites like Gazelle send a prepaid label.
- Sell it. Swappa and Facebook Marketplace usually pay more than a trade-in. List the model, storage, and battery health.
Donate It
Old phones do real good. Charities refurbish them or use their value to help others, and many programs give phones to people in need or to domestic violence survivors. Wipe it first, then look for a local phone donation drive.
Recycle It
If it is too old or broken to sell, recycle it as electronic waste. Best Buy, carrier stores, and city e-waste events all take phones. The battery means it should never go in the trash, the same as any old electronics.
Repurpose an Old Phone
On Wi-Fi alone, an old phone still works as a music player, an alarm clock, a security or pet camera, a dashcam, or a kid’s game device. For more ideas, see our guides for old iPhones, old flip phones, and creative uses for an old Android phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I erase a cell phone before selling it?
Back it up, sign out of your accounts, remove the SIM, then factory reset it. On an iPhone, signing out turns off Activation Lock so the buyer can use it.
Are old cell phones worth anything?
Working phones often have solid trade-in or resale value, even a few models back. Selling on Swappa usually beats a trade-in offer.
Where can I recycle an old cell phone?
Best Buy, carrier stores, and local e-waste events accept phones. Never put one in the trash because of the battery.
Where can I donate an old phone?
Phone donation drives and charities that help people in need or domestic violence survivors often take wiped, working phones.
What can I do with an old phone with no service?
Use it on Wi-Fi as a music player, alarm clock, security camera, dashcam, or a kid’s game device.