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10 Best Places to Sell Your Phone for Cash (High Payouts)

shieldZina Kumok calendar_todayNov 04, 2018 updateUpdated Jun 17, 2026 schedule8 min read verifiedFact-checked
10 Best Places to Sell Your Phone for Cash (High Payouts)

If places sell phone cash is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

  • 10 Best Places to Sell Your Phone for Cash (High Payouts) If you have an old phone lying around collecting dust in your closet or attic, you...
  • There are many ways to sell your old technology for cash.
  • Here are the best places to sell your phone to earn the most.
10 Best Places to Sell Your Phone for Cash (High Payouts)

If you have an old phone lying around collecting dust in your closet or attic, you're not alone. There are numerous ways to sell your old technology for cash. Here are the best places to sell your phone to earn the most.

Written by Zina Kumok Last Updated: April 2, 2025 Reviewed by Jana Lynch

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Everyone loves getting a new cell phone.

It’s fun to set it up, see how fast it is, and try out the new features. But then you’re stuck with your old phone.

Throwing it away seems like a waste, and you may not want to donate something you paid hundreds of dollars for. So the next logical step is to try to sell your old phone.

But then you have to make sure your data and personal information are completely wiped, and how do you know what’s a good cost?

Nowadays, there are numerous sites where you can sell your old phones. These places turn what was once a hassle into a seamless transaction.

10 Best Places To Sell Your Phone For Cash

Figuring out where to sell your old phone is difficult because there are so numerous different services. It’s key to compare them to find out which one will offer the most for your cell phone.

1. Gazelle

Gazelle is an online selling site where you can enter your phone’s information and get a quote. You can ship the item for free with a prepaid mailing label and get paid via Amazon gift card, PayPal, or check.

Gazelle will ask you questions about your phone to determine its worth, like whether it has trouble powering on, if there are any scratches or cracks, and if it’s fully functional. Answer truthfully so the company doesn’t change your payout amount when it receives the phone.

Right now, Gazelle offers a $5 bonus on your trade-in when you join its email list.

Related: Gazelle Review 2025

2. Buyback Boss

If you’re looking to sell your iPhone, Android, Apple Watch, or tablet, Buyback Boss is a simple and free website you can use. You just input details about your phone, such as the carrier, memory capability, and model, and it’ll provide an instant quote. The quote comes with a 14-day cost lock and a cost-matching guarantee, so if you get a higher offer from another site, Buyback Boss promises to honor it. 

Once you accept its quote, you’ll use the prepaid shipping label to send your device. Upon receipt, Buyback Boss will inspect it and if it passes, you can choose to receive your payment via check, PayPal, or make a charitable donation to Lighthouse for Hope. If your phone doesn’t pass the inspection, Buyback Boss will give you less money or send the device back to you. 

Related: 15 Legit Ways to Make Money From Your Phone

3. Swappa

Swappa is an online marketplace where you can sell a phone to a personal buyer. Items should have intact screens, not have any missing buttons, and not have other signs of physical or cosmetic damage. You also can’t sell any broken phones.

Swappa doesn’t charge any seller listing fees. Payments are made via PayPal so buyers are protected and can demand refunds if they purchase a phone that isn’t as described. That’s why being honest in the description and photos is so key.

Related: Swappa Review 2025

4. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a free place to try to sell your phone. Go to Facebook.com or the app, log in to your account, select the Marketplace, and click “Sell Something.” Then write a detailed description of your phone, including the asking cost, post some photos, and start selling.

It can be hard to cost items to sell on Facebook because you never know how much your phone may sell for (or how much people are willing to pay). Cost it higher than you like, so there’s room for the buyer to haggle, but also keep a minimum purchase cost in mind. You don’t want to sell your phone for less than you think it’s worth.

You’ll have to meet up with buyers in person, so be sure to pick a safe public place near you.

 

5. Craigslist

Craigslist is another popular place to sell devices because it’s free to use, you can potentially get paid in cash today, and it takes a few minutes to post an item for sale. To get the most money, take time getting good pictures of the phone.

Buyers will trust you more if you provide an accurate and detailed description. If you don’t take good photos of the phone or you hide any dents, cracks, or scratches in the description, the buyer may change their mind in person.

However, you may not get as much money as you want for your phone because it’s difficult to verify the condition and worth of a mobile device. Cost your phone fairly, but try to get as much money as possible.

Like Facebook Marketplace, be aware of your surroundings when meeting up with a buyer to sell your phone using Craigslist.

Related: How to Sell on Craigslist: 6 Steps to Increase Your Earnings

6. eBay

eBay is the premier place to sell something online because of its robust marketplace. But selling on eBay can get a little complicated. First, know that eBay always takes the buyer’s side. That’s why you have to be honest. If your phone has a problem, mention it in the description or you can get in trouble with the site.

When selling your phone on eBay, you can put it up for auction or pick a Purchase It Now cost. You can also allow buyers to send you their best offers if you’re in the mood to haggle. You can decide to offer free shipping or have the buyer pay for it. If you choose the former, make sure to factor in those costs when setting a cost.

To get an idea of how much you should sell your phone for, search for the phone’s model name and number on eBay.  Click on the “sold” items on the left to see how much the sold phones went for.

Taking professional-looking photos of the merchandise and writing relevant descriptions will help you find potential buyers in a short amount of time.

Online Trade-In Services

Trade-in services let you exchange your old phone for cash or a gift card. It can be an easier option than selling to a site or person directly.

 7. Use the Amazon Trade-In program

Amazon’s Trade-In program is one of the most popular trade-in services available. You send your old phone in exchange for an Amazon gift card, which you can use as credit to purchase a new phone from the site.

You’ll have to answer a few questions about your item before receiving a quote. You’ll receive specific instructions on how to ship your item to the Amazon offices.

After two business days, you’ll receive an email informing you whether your trade-in item is eligible. Once it’s approved, Amazon will send you a gift card for the equivalent amount.

Amazon’s Trade-In program is one of the most reliable trade-in services you can find. You might get more money out of your old phone through eBay or one of the other selling apps, but Amazon’s efficient system and customer support provide more assurance that the trade-in process executes without a hitch.

Related: 25 Ways to Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards (Up to $100 or More)

 8. Use Walmart’s Trade-In Program

Walmart’s trade-in program is similar to Amazon’s. However, unlike Amazon’s trade-in service, Walmart’s program is handled by CExchange, a third-party company, instead of being done in-house.

Despite the third party, it’s a pretty straightforward process. Just search for the model of your device through the site’s trade-in program page under the relevant category. Once you find it, the site will tell you how much your item is worth.

After answering a few questions, you’ll get a printed shipping label along with the option to send the item to CExchange. Once it’s approved, you’ll receive a Walmart gift card equivalent to the total amount indicated on the appraisal.

9. Trade your old cell phone to Best Purchase

Best Purchase’s trade-in service is similar to the other options, but with one added convenienc

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, double-check places sell phone cash against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at dollarsprout.com.

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Written & reviewed by

Zina Kumok

Our editorial team researches and verifies every money-saving guide before publishing. Editorial policy · About us

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