So you're ready to move on from your current Android phone. Whether you're upgrading to the newest Galaxy or Pixel, moving to another brand, or leaving the platform altogether and getting a (gasp!) iPhone, you can offset some of the cost by selling your phone.
Before you do so, though, you'll want to make sure you don't lose everything that's stored on your current phone. Backing up your data is a necessity. Then, you'll need to wipe that data off your phone before you sell it.
Below is our step-by-step guide to preparing your phone for sale. We also suggest a few reputable sites that will take it off your hands for top dollar.
Get Ready to Sell Your Phone
1. Back Up Your Data
You don’t want to lose everything you have on your phone just because you’re moving to a new one. So the first thing you want to do is to back up all your data.
To back up your Android phone, go to Setup > System > Backup. Make sure the toggle is set to Back Up to Google Drive. Find your phone’s account, select it, then tap Back Up. To manually back up your photos, go to Photos & Videos > Google Photos > Back Up & Sync. Note: If you don't use your device for 57 days or turn off Android backup, your data (except what is saved to Google Photos) will be erased.
You can also use the Google One cloud service to back up your app data, call history, contacts, settings, pictures and videos, and text and multimedia messages. Install the app on your phone, open it, and select Storage. Scroll to Device Backup. If this is the first time you are backing up your phone, select Set Up Data Backup. If you previously backed up your phone, select View Details. You can check your backup settings by tapping Manage Backup. Select everything you want to back up, then tap Back Up Now.
2. Moving From Android to iPhone
If you’re switching to an iPhone, hold onto your Android phone until you get your iPhone. Download the Move to iOS app from Google Play. It lets you easily move contacts, message history, photos and videos, photo albums, files and folders, accessibility settings, display settings, web bookmarks, mail accounts, WhatsApp messages and media, and calendars. If they're available on Android and iOS, some of your free apps will also transfer.
To move your content, plug in both the Android Phone and iPhone, turn on the iPhone, and begin Quick Start. Select Set Up Manually, and when you get to Apps & Data, tap Move Data from Android.
This is when you open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone. Agree to the terms and conditions, then go to your iPhone. A Move from Android screen should appear. Hit Continue, then wait for a numerical code to appear. Enter it on your Android phone. This creates a temporary Wi-Fi network that you'll join by selecting Connect. A Transfer Data screen will appear. Select all the data you want to transfer, then wait until the loading bar on the iPhone is complete.
3. Remove Paired Devices
You don’t want to leave behind stray data from paired devices. Go to Bluetooth under Settings, then select the names of each device and Unpair.
4. Unfind Your Phone
To turn off the Find My Device feature on your phone, go to Settings, select Security, then Find My Device, and slide it to the off position.
5. Wipe Your Phone and Delete Data
Make sure your phone is free of all your personal data before you sell it. Open up Settings, and go to System. Select Reset Options, then Erase All Data. Tap Reset Phone,then Erase Everything.
6. Remove the SIM Card
If your phone has a physical SIM card, you'll want to remove it. While you can deactivate your cell phone service on the device and trade it in with the SIM card, that card is the repository of your phone number, various bits of security data, and all the info needed for billing. It identifies you, your phone, and a lot of your activity on your phone.
To remove it, locate the SIM ejector (the device manufacturer’s site should have instructions on finding it), and insert a paper clip to pop the tray out. Remove the SIM card, and replace the tray.
The Best Places to Sell Your Android Phone
Apple Trade In
Maybe your Android days are behind you. You can trade in your phone with the Apple Trade In program. It pays you with an instant credit toward the purchase of a new iPhone or an Apple Store gift card.
Visit the site, select the Android model you have, answer some questions about its condition, get an estimate (and find out whether Apple will pay for packaging and shipping), accept the quote, and get the gift card once your phone is received. Or go to an Apple Store and trade your Android phone in for immediate credit toward a purchase.
Apple has cut how much it pays for trade-ins for all products. A 256GB Samsung Galaxy S22, for example, will get you about $210.
Best Buy
If you're selling your Android phone and just want cash to buy electronics, you can cut out a step at Best Buy by trading in your phone at a store or mailing it in for a digital gift card. For a Phantom Black 256GB Samsung Galaxy S22 Verizon, you can expect about $180.
Walmart CExchange
In exchange for your older phone, the Walmart CExchange program gives you a Walmart gift card that you can use in a store or online. Select your model and capacity, then answer questions about its condition, whether you're also sending its charger, and what carrier it's on. Then you get a quote. If you accept it, you receive a prepaid shipping label from FedEx Ground. You can get around $203 for a 256GB Samsung Galaxy S22 on Verizon.
decluttr
Cut a deal for your phone with decluttr, and you receive a free shipping label. In return, you're paid via direct deposit or PayPal. The going offer for a 256GB Samsung Galaxy S22 on Verizon is around $262.
GameStop
Are most of your apps games? Then you'll probably do well to turn in your Android in for some store credit at GameStop. (You can also get paid in cold, hard cash.) Bring your device to your nearest GameStop (estimates are available on the site before you make the trip), get a price quote from a sales associate, and then receive store credit or cash on the spot. A 256GB Samsung Galaxy S22 will earn you $165 Visa Prepaid Card or $132 in cash.
eBay
To sell your device yourself, there's always eBay. The site has a quick walkthrough where you can input your phone's stats. You then choose to sell it via eBay's traditional auction process or select a Quick Sale option that gets you immediate cash once eBay receives the phone. The trending price for a Phantom Black 256GB Samsung Galaxy S22 on Verizon in good condition is $319.
Swappa
Swappa is another marketplace where you can sell your Android phone directly. Select your model on the site, upload some photos, and set a price. Once someone buys it, you're paid immediately via PayPal. You're responsible for safely shipping your phone to the buyer. A Phantom Black 256GB Samsung Galaxy S22 on Verizon is going for around $402 on the site.
