Whether you are in If you’re thinking about buying a new iPhone 16 or buying an iPhone 16 Pro, don’t just toss your old phone in a drawer when you trade it in. Sell your iPhone! That old piece of glass is more valuable than you think. There are plenty of services that will give you cash or store credit for a used iPhone. We’ve compared some popular options for trading in an old device. Most of these services also accept Samsung and Google devices, and they all accept iPhones.
Updated September 2024: We’ve updated the phones and prices.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off)This includes unlimited access to WIRED.comfull Gear coverage and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
Tips for achieving a high resale price
If you want to get the most out of your phone, make sure you take care of it. Buy a good case (check out our guide on how to choose a good phone case) and consider buying a screen protector (AmFilm protectors work wellThey will keep your device looking like new, which is the best way to ensure you get the most money possible when you sell it.
Always buy an unlocked phone. Not only does this give you the freedom to switch carriers, but you’ll also get more for it when you sell it. Although early generations of iPhones had hardware that tied them to carriers, over the past decade all iPhones in the US work on any wireless network. There’s no reason to lock yourself into a single carrier. In general, unless a carrier tells you a phone is unlocked, it probably isn’t, especially if you’re buying it on a payment plan.
The last thing you should do before you rush out and sell your old phone is to back up all your data using iCloud. Make sure to check the option to back up your messages so that iCloud stores your text messages, which sometimes include photos and videos you haven’t saved to your Camera Roll. Remember to unpair your Apple Watch if you have one and erase the data on your phone as well.
1. Best Option for Reliable Cash: Gazelle
Gazelle is a company with a lot of experience in the world of used phones. The company has been buying phones since 2006 and has the simplest process. It also doesn’t require you to create an account to get a quote for your phone.
You fill out an online form and answer a few questions about your device: whether it works, which carrier it’s tied to, and whether it has any cosmetic damage. You’ll then receive an offer based on the answers you give. If you accept the offer, Gazelle will send you a box with a shipping label, and you’ll send the phone in for inspection. Once the company has inspected your device and verified that it’s in the condition you said it was, you’ll receive payment, usually within seven to ten days. Payment can be made in the form of a check, PayPal, or Amazon gift card.
A factory unlocked 128GB iPhone 15 in mint condition will set you back $390. An unlocked 128GB iPhone 14 will set you back around $300. Gazelle sometimes runs promotional offers around the launch of new devices, so keep an eye out for the best deal.
2. Best option for iPhones in perfect condition: Swappa
A kind of eBay clone, Exchange It seeks to eliminate some of the problems associated with eBay: high fees for sellers, poor communication tools between sellers and buyers, and too many low-quality devices. You won’t be able to sell your iPhone here unless it’s in good condition, fully functional, and undamaged. You’ll also need to create an account and link it to your Paypal account before you can see an offer.
As long as your phone meets Swappa’s requirements listing criteria If you’re willing to put in a little effort, this is where you’ll get the most money for your old device. Like eBay, you’ll need to put together a listing with photos. Make sure to remove the case from your phone and be honest about the condition it’s in. Remember to factor in shipping when setting your selling price. Note that Swappa now requires you to link a Paypal account.
