How to Safely Recycle, Donate, or Trade In Your Old Phone

Before getting rid of an old phone, you need to erase it properly. Then you can recycle it, donate it, or trade it in for money toward a new one.

In this guide (6 steps):

1.Back up anything you want to keep
2.Sign out of your accounts
3.Factory reset the phone
4.Option 1 — Trade it in for money
5.Option 2 — Donate it
6.Option 3 — Recycle it

Back up anything you want to keep

~27s

Before erasing, make sure photos, contacts, and important data from the old phone are backed up. On iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Backup > Back up now. Also make sure your photos are saved to Google Photos or iCloud Photos.

Warning

Once you factory reset, everything on the phone is gone permanently. Double-check that your photos and contacts are backed up first.

Sign out of your accounts

~18s

On iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > scroll down > Sign Out. This removes your Apple ID from the phone, which is required before trading in or selling. On Android: Go to Settings > Accounts > Google > select your account > Remove account. Also sign out of Samsung Account if applicable.

Factory reset the phone

~19s

On iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode and confirm. On Android (Samsung): Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset > Reset. On other Android phones, look in Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data. The process takes 5–15 minutes.

Option 1 — Trade it in for money

~26s

Carrier stores (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) offer trade-in credit toward a new phone. Apple and Samsung also have trade-in programs on their websites. For the best cash value, check sites like Gazelle.com, Decluttr.com, or Swappa.com where you can sell directly to buyers.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Get quotes from at least two or three places before trading in. Values vary widely — the same phone might get you $50 from one carrier and $150 from a buyback site.

Option 2 — Donate it

~15s

Charities like Cell Phones for Soldiers (cellphonesforsoldiers.com) send phones to military members, and Secure the Call (securethecall.org) gives them to seniors for emergency 911 calls. Domestic violence shelters, veterans organizations, and senior centers also accept donated phones. Make sure it's erased first.

Option 3 — Recycle it

~19s

If the phone is too old or damaged to donate, recycle it properly. Best Buy accepts any brand of old electronics for free recycling at their stores. Apple will take back old iPhones at any Apple Store. Staples and Walmart also have recycling bins. Never throw a phone in regular trash — the battery contains hazardous materials.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Safely Recycle, Donate, or Trade In Your Old Phone

Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

Got an old phone sitting in a drawer? You have several good options — trade it in for money toward a new phone, donate it to someone in need, or recycle it responsibly. But before you do any of those things, the most important step is erasing everything on it first.

Old phones contain a surprising amount of personal information: photos, texts, saved passwords, banking apps, email accounts, contacts, and more. If you hand off a phone without erasing it, anyone who picks it up could access all of that. A full factory reset wipes the phone back to factory condition — like new, with nothing personal remaining.

This guide walks you through erasing your phone safely, and then explains your best options for what to do with it after.

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