10 Best Places to Sell Old Cell Phones for Cash

If you’re like most people, you probably have unused cell phones at home. The good news is that it’s easy to sell old cell phones for cash instead of letting them collect dust.

This can be particularly helpful if you are thinking about purchasing a new phone. Buying a brand-new cell phone is expensive. Selling your old phone can help offset that cost.

There are several places to sell your cell phone online for top dollar.

Best Places to Sell Old Cell Phones for Cash

Here are places that buy old cell phones for cash. In some cases, you can earn more than you would with a phone trade-in offer.

1. BuyBackWorld

BuyBackWorld makes it easy to sell used cell phones for cash. They also buy other electronics, including:

• Laptops
• Tablets
• Apple Watches
• Cameras
• Unwanted gift cards

You can sell your old Android or iPhone to BuyBackWorld. You can’t sell phones that are lost or stolen. If you have an iPhone, the phone cannot be linked to an iCloud account.

To receive an instant price quote from BuyBackWorld, all you have to do is answer a few questions about the condition of your phone. Keep in mind that the sale price is subject to a final inspection.

If you accept the initial offer, you can print a prepaid shipping label or request a shipping kit. BuyBackWorld secures your sale price for 30 days. Return shipping is free if you receive a lower offer after the inspection.

Payments are sent within two business days via PayPal or check.

The process is the same if you have other gadgets to sell. Since BuyBackWorld accepts many types of devices, it is one of the top sites to sell old electronics for cash online.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: None
• Payment options: PayPal or paper check
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: 3.8 out of 5

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2. SellCell

SellCell is another excellent option to sell used mobile phones. You can compare the best prices from over 12 vendors for your iPhone, Android, and Samsung phones.

In addition to providing a price quote, SellCell lists the shipping costs, payment speed, and price lock guarantee. After choosing a vendor, you complete the sales process on the vendor website. In most cases, shipping is free.

Payments are sent quickly via PayPal or check.

In addition to phones, you can use SellCell to sell your other old electronics. These include:

• Apple TVs
• Desktops
• Fitbits
• Gaming consoles
• Tablets

SellCell also offers a Best Price Guarantee. They will pay double the price difference when another vendor’s offer is higher. You must receive a better offer within 24 hours of accepting your SellCell offer.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: None
• Payment options: None
• Matches offers from competitors: Yes

Trustpilot score: 3.2 out of 5

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3. Buyback Boss

Buyback Boss focuses on buying cell phones and select Apple devices. You can sell your old iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung phone. You can also sell your iPad and Apple Watch.

Like BuyBackWorld, you need to answer a few questions about your phone’s condition, storage capabilities, and carrier. Buyback Boss will then give you an instant quote with a 14-day price lock.

If you accept their offer, they’ll email you a prepaid shipping label. You will receive payment via PayPal or check as soon as they receive your phone.

The site guarantees the highest payout in the space. If another competitor provides a better offer, you can email it to Buyback Boss to get a counteroffer.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: None
• Payment options: PayPal or check
• Matches offers from competitors: Yes

Trustpilot score: 4.8 out of 5

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4. Swappa

Swappa is one of the more unique places to sell old cell phones for cash. Like eBay, you deal directly with potential buyers. While you won’t get an instant buyback offer, you can make more money.

You can sell other used electronics on Swappa as well, including:

• Laptops
• Tablets
• Video Games
• Watches
• Cameras
• Home Tech

To sell a used phone, simply create a profile, add the phone, and write a description. Once you’re done, set a price and wait for a buyer.

It is free to list your electronics with Swappa.

After you make a sale, you’ll receive an instant PayPal payment. You will need to pay shipping fees. The buyer pays all other market fees.

Devices must be 100 percent functional to qualify for the Swappa platform. For example, if your phone doesn’t turn on or has cracks in the glass, Swappa won’t let you list it.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: Seller pays shipping fees (USPS, FedEx, or UPS)
• Payment options: PayPal
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: 4.9 out of 5

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5. Decluttr

Decluttr lets you get cash for phones and other belongings, including:

• Video games and consoles
• Tablets
• Kindle readers
• Wearables
• CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays
• Textbooks
• LEGO

Like the other buyback sites, Decluttr provides an instant offer for your cell phones.

You will receive a UPS prepaid shipping label by email. After packing your box, you can drop it off at a UPS Store, customer center, or an authorized retail partner like Office Depot.

After Decluttr receives your phone, you get paid via PayPal or direct deposit. You can also donate your earnings to charity.

If Decluttr lowers its final offer, return shipping is free.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: None
• Payment options: PayPal, direct deposit, and charity
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: 4.6 out of 5

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6. Backflip

Backflip (formerly Whistle) can help to sell your old cell phones for cash and get the money quickly. Like Buyback Boss, they take iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung.

But Backflip will also help you sell other electronic devices such as iPads, MacBooks, headphones, and more.

You’ll have to provide some information about the device before Backflip can make an offer. However, the price is guaranteed or they’ll return it to you free.

Once you’ve accepted their price, they’ll send a free shipping kit. If you don’t want to wait for the shipping kit to arrive just print their free shipping label at home instead.

Backflip will look over the equipment after they receive it. Within a day they will send payment by debit card, direct deposit, gift card, or check.

On their website, Backflip claims to pay 50 percent more than the competition.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: None
• Payment options: Debit card, direct deposit, gift cards, or check
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: 4.7 out of 5

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7. Gazelle

Gazelle is another great site that lets you sell phones online. You can receive an instant quote on your phone so you can sell it quickly and easily.

The site is a little pickier than some of the others. It will offer you a low payment option if your phone isn’t in excellent condition. This is something to take into consideration if your phone is older or has a few extra scratches.

You can sell these devices on Gazelle:

• Samsung and Google phones
• iPhones
• Macbooks
• iPods
• iPads

Like other sites, you fill out a short questionnaire about your phone to receive an offer. If you accept it, you can ship your item to Gazelle using the free shipping label they provide.

Gazelle guarantees your price for 30 days. If they send you a revised offer upon inspection and you don’t want to accept it, you’ll pay for the return shipping charges.

You can receive payments by check, PayPal, or Amazon gift card codes.

Gazelle also has in-person kiosks in some locations. If you live near one, you can turn in your cell phone and receive your payout immediately. However, payments through the kiosk may be slightly lower than what you’d receive if you opt to send your phone in.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: Free shipping on items above $1, the seller pays for return shipping
• Payment options: PayPal, check, and Amazon gift cards
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: 2.5 out of 5

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8. Amazon

You can sell almost anything through Amazon. In fact, the Amazon Trade-In Program allows you to sell your used cell phones for an Amazon gift card.

To receive an accurate quote, carefully detail your phone’s condition when you list it. Once you’re ready to sell, Amazon displays the trade-in value. After you accept the offer, you’ll receive a free UPS prepaid shipping label.

You must decide upfront if you want Amazon to return your phone for free if they lower the price. To help you decide, Amazon shows a range of potential lower buyback prices.

It’s also possible to trade-in Amazon devices, tablets, and gaming consoles. You might even get a trade-in promotion for select devices. Some participating Amazon stores accept in-person trade-ins as well.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: None
• Payment options: Amazon gift card
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: 2.2 out of 5

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9. ecoATM

Have you ever asked yourself, “Where can I sell old phones for cash near me?” If so, look no further than ecoATM. The company has over 4,000 kiosks around the U.S. that allow you to receive an instant payment when you sell your old phone.

You don’t have to worry about safety since the kiosks are typically in high-traffic areas. They have a kiosk locator on their website so you can find the one closest to your location. Most grocery stores and Walmarts have an ecoATM.

It’s easy to sell a device with ecoATM. Simply bring your device to the kiosk, get an estimate, drop it in the bin, and receive your cash. If you don’t like the offer, you can get your device back immediately.

You can also get a quote online to make sure ecoATM’s offer is acceptable before you visit a kiosk.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: None
• Shipping costs: None
• Payment options: Cash
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: N/A

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10. eBay

Another great place to sell old cell phones is eBay. You can sell brand-new phones, damaged phones, and phones for parts only.

It’s possible to earn more by selling directly to buyers. However, eBay charges selling fees of approximately 13 percent. You will also need to pay shipping fees if you don’t have the buyer pay them. In most cases, you won’t pay a listing fee.

Despite these fees, it’s worth comparing the prices of eBay vs. buyback sites. If you can make significantly more with eBay, the extra effort may be worth it. Plus, eBay is the best place to sell damaged phones.

Be transparent about your item condition to avoid a buyer complaint. Take plenty of pictures of your device and write a lengthy description to attract more buyers.

Once you make the sale, you’ll receive payment through PayPal. Regardless of if you or the buyer pays for shipping, eBay negotiates discount rates with the USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

You can consult our guide on sites like Craigslist to sell your device locally and avoid fees.

• Cost to sell: None
• Selling fees: 13 percent (10 percent for eBay and 3 percent for PayPal)
• Shipping costs: Seller or buyer pays shipping costs
• Payment options: PayPal
• Matches offers from competitors: No

Trustpilot score: 1.5 out of 5

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How Much Can I Get if I Sell My Phone?

As you might expect, the newest phones fetch the best prices. You can earn as much as $830 for brand-new phones. Gently used phones are generally worth between $100 and $500.

Phones that are several years old and have signs of damage or inoperable buttons might be worth as little as $1. If you have an old phone that is brand-new, it could be worth as much as $30.

Here are some questions to help you determine how much your phone is worth.

Is Your Phone Premium?

A premium cell phone usually has more memory and RAM. One example is the iPhone 12 Pro vs. the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 Pro has an advanced camera system and a larger display.

Since these phones cost more, they can sell for more money.

Do You Have the Original Packaging?

Most buyback sites don’t require original packaging to sell your phones. However, you can earn more money on eBay and Swappa since the buyer may want the factory packaging.

Are You Selling Accessories?

In most cases, sites won’t require you to pack accessories such as charging cables. One exception can be the newest phone models.

For example, the iPhone 12 charging adapter is different than what the iPhone X and older models use.

What to Do Before You Sell Your Phone

Before you sell your cell phone online, there are steps you need to take to protect your privacy. These actions will also prevent you from losing your contacts and photos.

Backup Your Data

You can backup your data by transferring it to your cloud storage, tablet, or laptop. For instance, if you have an old iPhone, you can transfer the data to your iCloud. Then, you can transfer that data to a new iPhone.

Reset to Factory Settings

All online buyback vendors require you to perform a factory reset on your phone. This erases your data, installed apps, and custom settings.

Here are the basic instructions for performing a factory reset:

• Open the “Settings” menu
• Tap the “Reset” button
• Click the “Erase All Content and Settings” option

You can find specific instructions on your phone manufacturer’s website.

Unpair it From Other Devices

To avoid confusion with your new devices, unpair your old phone from your Bluetooth devices. You can unlink the device by clicking the “Settings” menu on your phone and choosing the “Bluetooth” button.

It’s also a good idea to sign out of your accounts.

Summary

If you aren’t sure what to do with old phones, selling them is a great option. You can earn quick cash when you sell old cell phones online or locally.

Selling your other electronics can be another way to make good use of gadgets that you no longer use. If you need extra money, try using one of these sites to turn your electronics into cash.

How many old electronic devices do you have in your home? What do you do with old phones when you replace them?