Aug 10, 2022
What Can I Do With My Old Cellphones?
Reading time: 5 minutes
So, you’ve got yourself a new cell phone or are planning to get one and are wondering what to do with the old one. There are a few really good options that we’ll share with you here as well as one non-option that we’ll also share:
Please do not just throw your old smartphone out.
Why?
Smartphones do not decompose. Because of that, throwing one away means it will simply end up in a landfill – along with all the others that have been dumped in landfills – and will stay there as is for the rest of time. And that’s simply awful for the environment.
Preparing to recycle your smartphone
Before you get rid of your cell phone (in one of the ways we below), it’s important to prepare it so you don’t lose your data and photos or, even worse, have all that information fall into the wrong hands.
Two ways to prep your phone
Back it up to a cloud storage provider so all your photos, apps, passwords, etc., are safe and secure, and then do a factory reset to erase everything.
While setting up your new phone, transfer the data from your old phone to your new phone. Don’t forget to remove your SIM card and place it in the new phone.
Now, here are some terrific ways to get rid of your old phone:
Trade it in
Wireless providers like AT&T and Verizon frequently offer trade-in deals that can save you a good amount of money on a new phone. If the phone you are replacing is in good shape, it’s worth seeing what they’ll offer you for it.
Beyond that, you can also see what Best Buy or Amazon will offer you for a trade-in. Either way, through your phone company or one of these retailers, you save on a new phone, and they take care of disposing of your old one.
Sell it
The following are a few companies worth looking into to sell your used phone. Depending on its condition, age, and model, you could get a good price for it. When reaching out to these places, bear in mind that they will provide you with an estimate for what they think your old phone is worth, and then they will pay you once your device is received on their end.
BuyBackWorld
Simply select the make, model, and condition of your cell phone on the website, and BuyBackWorld gives you an instant price. If you’re good with their offer, they will send you a free shipping label by email. Just print it out, tape it to the box, and drop it in the mail. You can expect to be paid within two days of BuyBackWorld receiving your phone. You can be paid via PayPal, direct deposit, credit, with a BuyBackWorld or prepaid gift card.
Decluttr
Simply select the make, model, and condition of your cell phone on their website, and Decluttr gives you an instant price and will lock it in for 28 days. If you’re good with their offer, they will send you a free shipping label by email. Simply print it out, tape it to the box, and drop it off at a UPS location. You can expect to be paid the day after your phone arrives at Decluttr. You can be paid by PayPal, direct deposit, or choose to donate your payment to charity.
ecoATM
ecoATM is a super easy way to sell your phone and get paid for it on the spot. You simply take your phone to one of their 5,000 ATMs located around the country, place your phone into the ecoATM where it’s immediately evaluated, and get an offer on it. If you accept the offer, you get paid right then and there.
Gazelle
Gazelle buys and sells used consumer electronics including cell phones. The company buys your used phone, refurbishes it, and then resells it on its website.
OCBuyBack
This California-based company purchases cell phones, as well as tablets, smartwatches, and more through its trade-in program. To sell your item, simply select your device to receive an offer. If you accept their offer, they’ll send you a prepaid shipping label via email. Once your phone is inspected and accepted, you’ll be paid.
Swappa
Swappa lets you sell your old phone for cash as long as it’s in full working condition. Its website states that “Selling on Swappa means you get paid what your phone is actually worth, and that's more than any trade-in sites are offering. Plus, when you list on Swappa you get paid instantly as soon as your phone sells.”
Swopsmart
Swopsmart is a good option for selling a cell phone that’s broken. They take those that aren’t, of course, but if yours is damaged in some way, check them out. To sell your item, simply select your used phone type, network, storage capacity, and condition. Then you’ll receive an offer. If you accept their offer, they’ll send you a prepaid shipping label via email. Once your phone is inspected and accepted, you’ll be paid via check or PayPal.
Donate it
There are plenty of companies and nonprofit organizations that need used phones to help fund their efforts to improve the lives of those less fortunate. If you choose not to sell your old phone, consider donating it to one of these groups:
Cell Phones for Soldiers. This national non-profit provides free cell phone service for active-duty military members and veterans.
911 Cell Phone Bank. The program takes your old device, refurbishes it, and provides it to needy citizens across the country.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). NCADV collects cell phones, its partner Cellular Recycler refurbishes and sells them, and some of those funds go back to NCADV to fund its programs.
Second Wave Recycling. This nonprofit accepts a variety of devices including older phones, iPods and MP3 players, tablets and e-readers, handheld gaming devices, smartwatches, and charging cables. Working devices are refurbished and sold for cash which is then donated to one of Second Wave’s designated charities. At present, Second Wave is supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, which offers support services for injured U.S. military personnel.
Once you’ve traded in, sold, or donated your old cell phone and purchased a new Android or iPhone, it’s time to set it up to meet your needs:
Increase the font size - Android
Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” At the next screen, tap “Font Size.” Here, you’ll see a slider. Drag it as far to the right as you like. The farther it goes to the right, the larger your font size will be. Then, click “Done” to save your changes.
Increase the font size - iPhone
Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” Look for and click on the words “Display & Text Size.” On the next screen, you have the option to turn on “Bold Text” and “Larger Text,” among others. Click on “Larger Text” and you can turn on what are called “Larger Accessibility Sizes.” The larger text won’t work on every app, but it will function on many, and that will make reading on your phone easier.
If you’d like to darken the text, which is called bold, turn on “Bold Text.” Again, the text won’t be bolded on every app, but it will be on many of them.
Install updates – Android
In order to keep your phone running its best, it needs to update itself on occasion. To make sure this happens, open Settings, and then click on “About Phone/Tablet.” On the next screen turn on “Automatic Update.”
Install updates – iPhone
Open Settings, then click on “General” and then “Software Update” and turn “Automatic Updates” to the “on” position. On the next screen, turn on “Download iOS Updates” and “Install iOS Updates.” Now software updates will be made automatically after they have been downloaded. iPhone sends you a notification before updates are installed. All you need to do is make sure your iPhone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi to complete the update.
Use your phone as a hotspot – Android
A hot spot enables you to work on your laptop when you’re away from home or in a place where there’s no public Wi-Fi. Using your phone in this manner allows you to remain productive and connected.
Open Settings, then “Connections,” then “Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.”
Once the hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.
Use your phone as a hotspot – iPhone
Open Settings, then tap “Personal Hotspot,” then “Allow Others to Join.”
Once your hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.
PureTalk loves helping you get the most and save the most
At PureTalk, we’re happy to help you learn how to get the most from your smartphone and how to save the most on your wireless plan. That’s why we offer plans that start at just $25 a month for unlimited talk and text and blazing fast data. In fact, families of four who switch to PureTalk save $75 a month on average, for a savings of $900 a year!
No matter what your family's wireless needs are, PureTalk's Mix & Match Family Plans let you choose the right plan for each family member. You can have any number of lines and choose the perfect wireless plan for each one. Your family members get exactly what they need, and you never pay for anything they don't. Whatever your family's size or wireless needs may be, you're sure to save a bundle!
Plans for Seniors
Did you know that most seniors use less than 2GB of data per month? PureTalk offers great plans for seniors that let you pay only for what you actually want – and nothing you don’t. And with PureTalk you get the same great service and blazing fast coverage while saving money each month.
At PureTalk, we don’t think you should pay for data you don’t need and aren’t going to use.
Switch today and receive great service and blazing-fast coverage while saving money each month.
Choose from PureTalk’s most popular plans:
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Need more data one month?
Simply go into your account portal and add more. When next month rolls around, if you need less data, you can go right back into your portal and reduce it. Simply log onto PureTalk.com, click on My Account, and select Manage My Data. Make your changes, save them, and log out. It’s that simple.
Traveling outside the US?
Think of PureTalk as your travel partner. Get the best cellphone coverage in 30+ countries including Canada and Mexico with PureTalk International Roaming.
How it works:
1.
Travel to your international destination.
Every plan includes up to $20/month of international credits, so your phone will work in 30+ countries automatically. No SIM swapping or apps required!
2.
Use your phone internationally like you do at home.
When you arrive at your destination, you’ll automatically have up to $20 of international credits. When you make a call, send texts, or use data it will be deducted from your credit balance. Check the rate finder above to see the international rate for your destination.
3.
No overages or surprise charges.
If you use all of your existing international credit, you will not be charged any fees. If you need more international credits, just log into your account portal and select the International roaming add-on. (Credits do not rollover.)
PureTalk’s International Roaming means:
- Constant connectivity.
- No pricey roaming charges.
- No additional devices to lug around.
Other wireless providers have referral programs, but none come close to PureTalk’s
At PureTalk, when you refer your friends, you reward yourself.
When you join PureTalk, you’re given a unique referral link you can share with friends and family. For each friend who signs up through your unique link, you receive a $20 credit applied to your account, and your friend receives a $20 credit applied to their account. Best of all, there are no limits. You can refer as many friends as you want, and you will get a $20 credit for every single one of them.
Everything you need to know about the PureTalk Customer Referral Program:
1. Each customer has a unique referral link to share with friends. For each friend who signs up through your unique link, you will receive a $20 bill credit applied to your account, and your friend will receive a $20 credit applied to their account.
2. There are no limits to how many friends you can refer with PureTalk's Customer Referral Program. Refer all of your friends and get a $20 credit for every single one of them.
3. Your $20 credit will post to your account after your friend completes their second active month of service.
4. To see which of your friends you have referred to PureTalk, log in to MY ACCOUNT and click the "Referrals" tab at the top of the page. You will see all of your referrals listed in the "Referral Credits" table at the bottom of the page.
5. You can post your referral link anywhere you want. On your social media channels, your blog, in emails, etc. You can grab your unique referral link by logging in to My Account and clicking the Referrals tab.
6. There are two ways you can earn referral credits. Your friend can use your unique referral link or enter your phone number at checkout when asked if a friend referred him.
Don’t forget: Remind those you are referring to PureTalk to enter your phone number at checkout IF they’ve forgotten to sign up through your referral link.
With the PureTalk referral program you can earn as many credits as you have friends and save even more on the plan of your choice!
PureTalk’s Risk-Free, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee makes it easy to give us a try
With PureTalk’s risk-free, thirty-day money back guarantee you have absolutely nothing to lose. Sign up and give us a try for one month. We know you’ll love us. But if you don’t, simply call to cancel your service within thirty-days and we’ll return your money. No penalties. No hassles.
Why choose PureTalk?
When you choose PureTalk, you’re choosing to support a company whose values align with your own. You’re choosing to support a company whose CEO is a U.S. veteran. And you’re also choosing to support American jobs: 100% of our customer service is based right here in the United States.
Plus, with PureTalk, you can bring your phone and keep your phone number or choose from our terrific selection of the latest iPhones and Androids.
What Our Customers Are Saying
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I am so glad I switched to PureTalk. The customer service is fantastic which is so rare these days. But most of all I live in a small apartment and I have my own internet and It didn’t matter where I was in the room, calls dropped constantly. But I have not had any problems since I switched to PureTalk.” Jennifer Hersh 5-star review via TrustPilot
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Posted 2 years ago