10 Places to Sell Your Old Cell Phones For Cash

Maybe you have an old cell phone lying around. Or perhaps the recent Apple event has you looking to upgrade.

Either way, there’s money to be had for selling your old devices.

I decided to sell my iPhone 11 (64GB, unlocked). I had it for almost two years before upgrading to a new phone, the iPhone 13.

After buying my new smartphone, my old one just sat in a cracked case collecting dust.

It was time to look into selling it. But where? Thanks to the internet, there are more options now than ever to sell cell phones.

Where to Sell Cell Phones

Whether you’re living paycheck to paycheck or just looking to unload your old phone for some extra cash, check out these top options.

1. SellCell

SellCell will compare the price for your old iPhone across 20 leading buyback companies.

This means you are guaranteed to find the highest price for your old iPhone!

First, check to see if your device is listed on their site. Next, find the best deal among buyers. Then ship your phone to the company you choose for free.

Read each buyer’s profile to ensure you understand how and when they will pay out. Some buyers even accept in bulk. The payment options include PayPal, check, or Amazon e-gift card.

SellCell claims they will get you the most cash for your phone, which is guaranteed.

SellCell has over 30 offers, with the top value at $431.

2. OCBuyBack

If you want to sell your phone, OCBuyBack is a California-based company that purchases cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, and more through its trade-in program.

To sell your item, simply select your device to receive an offer. If you accept the offer, you can print a prepaid shipping label or drop off the item (Brea, California area).

Once the company inspects the trade-ins, they will pay you within two business days.

I got OCBuyBack’s best price for my Apple iPhone 11 (64 GB in good condition) from OCBuyBack for $387.

When selling your phone on this site, payment options include PayPal and check.

(Image credit: OCBuyBack)

3. Buyback Boss

Buyback Boss currently accepts iPhones and iPads, as well as other old phones and electronic devices, through their trade-in program.

The service does offer the highest price guarantee if you want to sell your phone:

If you provide a current offer from any buyback site for the same condition device, Buyback Boss will match it.

Choose your phone, network (like At&T, Verizon, etc.), storage capacity and condition — brand new, mint, used, damaged or broken. Then you’ll receive an offer.

Shipping is free (Buyback Boss gives you a prepaid label), and you can ship your item in a box or padded envelope.

You’ll get paid via Paypal or by check and receive payment after your item arrives. Talk about hassle-free selling.

As an example, my Apple iPhone 11 (64GB in good condition) received an offer of $385

(Image credit: BuybackBoss.com)

4. Swopsmart

When you want to sell your phone, Swopsmart is a New York-based company that purchases old phones (even Blackberries) and tablets.

Select your used phone type, network, storage capacity and condition, including broken phones, good, flawless or new. Then you’ll receive an offer.

This makes the site one of the best options if you want to make money by selling a broken phone.

You can choose to print a prepaid shipping label or receive a free shipping kit.

Once the company inspects and OKs your phone, you’ll be paid within 24 hours. You can choose to get paid via check or PayPal.

My Apple iPhone 11 (64GB in good condition) received an offer of $264.

(Image credit: Swopsmart.com)

5. Decluttr

Decluttr buys CDs, DVDs, miscellaneous tech items, and even books. It also has a free app for iPhone and Android users. It’s a great option if you want to sell your phone.

Search for your item — in this case, your cell phone — and enter its model, storage capacity, network, and condition into the evaluation engine.

For conditions, the choices are good, poor, or faulty.

After entering your information, you’ll receive an offer. Should you choose to accept it, you’ll get paid the day after Decluttr receives your phone.

Regarding shipping, you can mail the used phone in any box you have lying around the house. Then, attach the prepaid shipping label to the package.

Payment options include a check or deposit to your bank, and there are no auction or seller fees.

My Apple iPhone 11 (64GB in good condition) received an offer of $381.

(Image credit: Decluttr.com)

6. Swappa

Swappa lets you sell your old phone, and they won’t charge you seller fees to do so. You can sell iPhones and Android phones on Swappa as well as other electronic items.

Selling on Swappa is easy, but you do have to create an account to get a quoted offer for your phone.

And because your buyer comes from the Swappa community, you may or may not get your quoted price. Instead, you list your suggested price, and the buyer accepts it or makes a counteroffer.

Swappa said they’d suggest I list my phone for $505.

(image credit: Swappa)

7. BuyBackWorld

BuyBackWorld has been buying and selling used smartphones since 2009. It’s an easy site to use.

Just enter your phone information, including model, memory and condition. Then you are ready to sell your phone.

You’ll get an immediate quote on the price through their trade-in program. If you like the quote, just accept it, and they’ll send you a free shipping label.

Once you’ve shipped your phone, you get paid within two days.

You can get paid via PayPal, Direct Deposit, a BuyBackWorld credit, or a prepaid gift card.

The quote I got for my Apple iPhone 11 (64GB) in average condition was $260.

(image credit: BuyBackWorld)

8. ecoATM

EcoATM helps you sell your cell phone at ATM-like kiosks around the country. You can go to the ecoATM website to get a quote or just bring your old phone to the kiosk.

If you use the website to get a quote, you’ll have to enter your zip code for accuracy.

Once you enter your phone type in at the kiosk and accept the offer, you’ll deposit your phone in the kiosk.

ecoATM kiosks have the capability to examine your phone once you insert it into the machine.

The kiosk will give you money on the spot. Note that you have to have a state-issued ID to use ecoATM. This rule is in place to help avoid fraudulent sales.

The ecoATM website offered me this price for my Apple iPhone 11: $180.

Note that compared to other prices offered, you will pay for the ease and convenience of using ecoATM. The site did say it may be able to get me a better price depending on my location.

(image credit ecoATM)

9. Gazelle

Gazelle opened its doors in 2007 and touts itself as the nation’s leading reCommerce company. With Gazelle, it takes less than a minute to get a quote for your phone.

The site will ask you a few quick questions about your phone and then make an offer. Once you accept their offer, you send in your phone with Gazelle’s free shipping label.

Gazelle experts inspect the old phone and then pay out via Amazon gift card, PayPal or check.

Here’s what Gazelle offered me for my iPhone 11 in good condition: $200

(image credit: Gazelle)

10. eBay

When selling your phone, a popular place to sell it is eBay.

With eBay, you need to list your information and choose to sell for a fixed price instead of an auction.

I selected my phone in used condition. eBay said similar listings (Apple iPhone 11 64 GB in good condition) are selling for $409 and up.

With this platform, you also have to consider shipping and seller fees. Shipping will vary depending on the type of package and shipping you choose. Fees also vary.

While you will likely get more for your phone using eBay, you’ll also have to wait for it to sell and ensure it is shipped correctly.

Only you can decide whether to sell immediately and take a lower price or hold out for more money.

If you decide to hold out for more cash, you could list the old phone on Craigslist and sites like it as well.

Summary

There are several great places where you can sell your old cell phone for money. Don’t just throw it away or stash it in a drawer.

Instead, make money off it and sell it to one of the cell phone buyback sites mentioned here.

Plus, what’s better than making money at home?