What To Do With Old Phones?

Got some old cell phones in your drawer, some of which work fine, and some are cracked a bit. A question knocks at your mind: “What to do with old phones?” Don’t worry; you are not alone. 

They aren’t useless, but they lose value fast. With that, they cover space and aren’t environmentally friendly. But here’s the exciting part: you’ve got some really smart, easy options that can put cash in your pocket, help someone else, or even do good for the planet. 

In this article, I’ll share all the best real-life ways to deal with your old phones. Let’s dive deeper into this.

First Question to Ask Before Doing Anything

Before deciding what to do with old mobile phones, ask yourself four quick questions:

• Does it turn on?
• Is the screen usable?
• Is it locked or financed?
• How old is the model?

The answers to these questions instantly tell you whether you can sell, reuse, donate, or recycle the phone. Many people think an old, locked, or not paid off phone is worthless, but that’s false, as it can easily be resold or recycled.

Pro Tip:
Check the condition right now. Grab your old phone today and get a free quote; it takes 30 seconds!

Why Old Phones Should Never Be Thrown Away

People like to pick the easiest and fastest solution, and in the case of old phones, throwing them away is the quick solution. But it’s not right. Here’s why:

Old phones contain harmful as well as ignitable metals like lead, lithium, etc. If they are buried under the earth, they can affect human health and the environment badly over time. In this regard, li batteries play a major role. Crushed or broken lithium-ion batteries can start fires, which has previously happened at recycling centers and in garbage trucks.

In a similar vein, electronic trash is at an all-time high. According to WHO data from 2022, 62 million tons of e-waste were created, of which only 22% were correctly recycled. Data loss is another significant concern. Emails, texts, photos, and more can still be accessed years later.

The good news is that there are different ways through which you can give life to your old mobile phone. (Quora) 

Let’s have a look:

What To Do With Old Cell Phones (8 Options)

Here are the 8 best ways to repurpose your old phone, not waste it:

1. Donate Your Old Phone

One of the best and easiest ways to deal with your old cell phone is to donate it to make a positive impact on society. There are many organizations that accept used smartphones and either reuse them or sell them to support important causes. 

For instance, some help military members stay connected; others support survivors of domestic violence, families that suffer from illness, etc. Drop your old phone at stores like Staples or Best Buy, or any certified e-waste center. You can also use the EPA or CTA recycling lists to find a trusted spot near you.

Important Note: Before donating your old phone, do a factory reset. Once that’s done, no one can use your data.

Donate Now

2. Sell Your Old Phone

Another great option is to sell your old phone if it works well and is in decent condition. Many people from different locations buy used phones, especially if they’re affordable. Therefore, you can sell your old iPhone, tablet, or Android phone through online marketplaces or electronics resale platforms like WeBuyBack Electronics. 

Before listing your device, it’s important to know which platforms are safe and reliable read our guide on the safest places to sell phones and tablets.

3. Use Old Smartphones at Home

If you’re not selling, reuse only works when it’s intentional. Common uses include:

• Emergency phone
• Car GPS or music device
• Kids’ Wi-Fi phone
• Backup work phone

Most reused phones end up unused again; be honest about whether you’ll actually use it. If you haven’t used it in 30 days, selling your old phone is usually the smarter choice.

4. Recycle Your Old Cell Phone

Unable to sell your old phone? Don’t worry, you still have a great and free-of-cost option to pick. That is to recycle it. But electronic waste is a big problem of the day. 

So, be responsible while recycling, as it’s free, easy, and keeps the environment green. The table below shows you how to recycle your old phone:

5. Make It a Webcam 

One awesome way to keep your old phone alive is to use it as a webcam. If you don’t have a camera on your PC, or your laptop camera is not working, you can easily use it. You just need to download a trusted webcam app like ManyCam and connect your phone with it. That’s it. 

6. Use it as a Baby Monitor

Old phones make good baby monitors. Install a monitor app or use it for video calls. Place one near the baby. Check the sound or video from another device at home. It’s cheap if you already have a spare phone and need basic monitoring.

7. Use It To Listen Music 

Most people enjoy music. If you also do like it, make the old phone a dedicated player. Download songs. Connect your headphones or Bluetooth speakers with your old smartphone and listen anywhere you want. Speakers or headphones use less phone battery. It’s a simple way to enjoy tunes at home, workouts, or trips without buying new gear.

8. Use It as a GPS Device

Navigation technology, primarily via GPS and apps like Google Maps, is used everywhere (over 1 billion people use it across the world daily). But these apps have one big flaw. They drain batteries fast like fire burns the paper 

But, if you have an old phone, use it for navigation. Mount it in the car or on a bike. Save your main phone’s battery for other things.

9. Give It to a Child or Family Member

Another practical option to pick for your old mobile device is to give it to kids or older relatives. Kids can use it to play games, watch videos, and learn topics from their syllabus using relevant apps over Wi-Fi. Similarly, the elder person of the family can use the old phone (still working in good condition) to watch videos over Youtube or do video calls. This way, you don’t need to spend dollars on buying a new phone for them. 

If you’re confused about your old phone or wondering when the best time to upgrade is, click here to read the guide.

What To Do With Old Phones for Money (Beyond Selling)

Selling isn’t the only way to make money. Trade-ins can work if the offer is fair, but many programs inflate credits with conditions. Bulk selling multiple old phones can also increase total payout. If speed matters, instant buyback beats listings. If payout matters, compare offers.

Pro Tip:
Compare at least two options before making any choice.

Quick Decision Guide

To make a quick decision, here is the table for you in simple words:

If selling is your choice, click here to read expert tips that help you get cash for your phone in the USA.

Conclusion

Old phones are a great way to either earn you good money or lose value every day. If it remains in the drawer, that’s the worst decision from your side. You should act now and sell, reuse, donate, or recycle such old cell phones. The more you wait, the more its worth goes down and down. 

There are different online websites like WeBuyBack that accept old, locked, cracked, and damaged phones at a good rate. So why wait? Pick up your old phone today, check its value, and decide the best option based on your circumstances. Don’t let it sit unused another month.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What to do with old cell phones?

Turn one into a dedicated music player, baby monitor, webcam, car GPS, or kids’ Wi-Fi device. Sell if you won’t use it daily.

2. Are old phones worth anything?

Yes. Working recent models hold a worth of $100–$500+. Older/cracked/locked: $10–$150. Even dead ones get $5–$20 for parts. 

3. What to do with an old Android phone?

Sell it (high demand for Samsung/Google Pixels), repurpose as a remote, music player, or security cam, or recycle via Google’s program

4. What is the best way to dispose of old phones?

The absolute best is to sell them for cash (even broken ones). If not sellable, recycle at certified spots like Best Buy or brand stores. Never trash them.

5. How to dispose of really old phones?

Even super old or dead phones have value for parts/metals. Sell to buyback sites like WeBuyBack Electronics or recycle for free at electronics stores/ecoATM. They’ll extract gold, copper, etc, safely.

6. What to do with old phones for money?

Sell them fast. Sites like WeBuyBackElectronics pay good cash for working, cracked, locked, or dead phones. Instant quotes, free shipping, and the best payouts over trade-ins.