What to do with old phones?

What to do with your old smartphone
  1. Device trade-in. One of the easiest ways to get rid of your old smartphones is to trade it in. ...
  2. Sell your old phone. ...
  3. Donate a device. ...
  4. Recycling electronics. ...
  5. Prep your device.
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Can you do anything with old phones?

Old Cell Phone: Donate It

Help out by donating your old cell phone to charities that collect electronic items such as this. Some cell phone companies even have specific projects to help collect and donate cell phones to others. A few of these programs include: 1Million Project through Sprint.
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How do I dispose of my old phone at home?

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) advises the following when destroying mobile phones and tablets:
  1. Remove memory card, if your device has one.
  2. Remove the SIM card.
  3. Select Master Reset, Wipe Memory, Erase All Content and Settings.
  4. Physically destroy the memory card and SIM card.
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Are old cell phones worth anything?

Old phones can be worth a huge amount! Of course, it all depends on the original retail price of the phone, its age, and its latest condition. You can sell an old phone from popular brands like Apple and Samsung Android devices and still get paid up to $500.
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Where can I dispose of old cell phones near me?

Drop Off Locations with Recycling Programs:
  • Best Buy.
  • WalMart.
  • Winco.
  • Target.
  • Staples.
  • Kroger.
  • Home Depot.
  • Safeway.
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5 things you didn't know your old phone could do!



What is Best Buy recycling fee?

Products we recycle for a $29.99 fee per item:

Limit two monitors per household per day.
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Does Walmart take old phones for cash?

If you're looking to sell an old phone, particularly one that's damaged or outdated, ecoATM may be the most convenient option for you. EcoATM kiosks are located in popular stores including Kroger and Walmart across 48 different states, so there's a good chance you have one nearby.
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Does taking out the SIM card delete everything?

The shorter answer is: no. Taking out your SIM card will not delete all of your data. Everything important is already saved to your phone (or iCloud, in the case of an iPhone). You'll still have your contacts, messages, app and even your wallpapers.
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Can you still get money for old phones?

Online sites like BuyBackWorld, Gazelle, Smartphone Recycling. and eBay give individuals selling their cell phone a quote for the device. Once you accept the offer, the last step is to ship your gadgets to them with a prepaid shipping label. BuyBackWorld will allow people to sell a new, used, cracked or broken phone.
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What happens to old phones when you throw them away?

Finding Gold in Waste

In the US, 416,000 cellphones enter landfills or incinerators every day, where they release toxins into the air, water, and soil. The best outcome is for your old phone to be reused by someone else after its hard drive is erased.
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Can I just throw my phone away?

Phones contain toxic chemicals that, when a phone is placed in a landfill, may ultimately leach into groundwater and poison the water in surrounding areas. Discarding of phones with the garbage also poses a danger to workers who crush trash. Instead, it is best to recycle your phone.
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What can I do with old smashed phones?

If it's damaged beyond repair, as in a fire or flood, you can simply drop it at a local recycling center that accepts electronic devices and be done with it. You can enter your ZIP code in the Earth911 Recycling Search tool to find a location near you.
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Why do cell phone companies want your old phone?

Quite the contrary, many phones can still be used and sold on a secondary market, which is why cell phone repair stores and other retailers want your old phone. They can repair sell them at a discount to people who may not want or be able to afford the latest models, and you can get a credit toward your next purchase.
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Who pays the most money for old phones?

11 Best Places To Sell Your Phone For Cash
  • Decluttr. Decluttr is one of the easiest places to sell your phone online. ...
  • Buyback Boss. If you're looking to sell your iPhone, Android, Apple Watch, or tablet, Buyback Boss is a simple and free website you can use. ...
  • Swappa. ...
  • Gazelle. ...
  • Craigslist. ...
  • eBay.
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Are old iPhones worth anything?

Old iPhones are now worth up to $25k - what to know before selling yours. Old iPhones are now being sold for up to US$25,000. A recent surge in popularity among collectors has reportedly caused this drastic increase in resale value of old Apple gadgets. Old iPhones are now being sold for up to US$25,000.
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Where can I sell my old electronics for cash?

Best Places to Sell Your Used Electronics for 2023
  • Decluttr. See at Decluttr.
  • Amazon Trade-In. See at Amazon.
  • Apple Trade In. See at Apple.
  • Best Buy Trade-In Program. See at Best Buy.
  • ItsWorthMore. See at ItsWorthMore.
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Should I throw away my old SIM card?

Remove SIM and SD cards

If your phone has a SIM card, it may store your personal information. Remove the SIM card. If you're going to keep the same phone number, you may be able to transfer your SIM card to your new phone. If you're not going to reuse the SIM card, destroy it.
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How do I clear my phone before donating?

Go to the Settings menu, tap General, select Reset, then Erase All Content. With an Android phone, conduct a factory reset by tapping Menu, then select Settings, Privacy, and Factory Data Reset. To remove all data, press Reset Phone.
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What info is kept on a SIM card?

Data that SIM cards contain include user identity, location and phone number, network authorization data, personal security keys, contact lists and stored text messages. SIM cards allow a mobile user to use this data and the features that come with them.
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How much does Walmart give for phones?

Walmart's trade-in program offers an immediate credit from $50 to $300 for more than 100 smartphones. Examples of trade-in values for working, non-damaged smartphones include: $300 for an Apple iPhone 5, $175 for a Samsung Galaxy SIII and $52 for a Samsung Galaxy S2.
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Does Walmart have phone recycling machine?

We're in your Neighborhood. With 5,000 kiosks across the U.S., it's easier than ever to sell to an ecoATM kiosk. Look for us inside your local Walmart, Kroger grocery, mall and more.
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What recyclables does Best Buy accept?

Some products we accept

Computers and tablets: Battery backups, laptops, monitors, mice and keyboards, web cams, hard drives, ink/toner cartridges. Car audio, video, GPS: Speakers/amps, GPS devices, radar detectors, security systems, CB radios.
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Why is Best Buy charging me a recycling fee?

Our goal has always been to simply break even on our recycling program, and we're not there today. The new fees will help cover the increasing cost of managing TV and monitor disposal through our network of stores, distribution centers and recycling partners.
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Does Best Buy make money from recycling?

Secondly, Best Buy collects revenues from its partners: big, well-known electronics brands. “25 states have rules requiring that manufacturers recycle some share of what they sell every year,” Raudys said. “Our network can deliver efficiencies that [the electronics makers] can't match, so they buy access to it.”
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