Selling an iPhone or another device isn’t just a method for making some extra cash on the side; it’s also a great idea if you plan to upgrade to something newer. For example, instead of purchasing a brand-new phone and keeping your old one, trade in your iPhone for cash that you can then use to purchase a new phone. The same is true for iPod touch and other devices. You could always try websites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook to sell your electronics, but then you’re forced to wait for a buyer. The websites below are the best places to sell your iPod or iPhone for real money because the company purchases the device from you and you get paid directly from them, usually rather quickly.
Apple
The Apple iPhone trade-in program is called Apple Trade In, and it works for smartphones, tablets, computers, and smartwatches. Other Apple devices like iPods are only available for recycle (you won’t get paid). Find your device from the list of acceptable trade-ins and answer some questions about it. If you’re selling an iPhone back to Apple, for example, you’ll be asked which model you have and if it’s in good condition. You’ll immediately be told its trade-in value and have the option to trade it in for a gift card. After you fill out a few personal details, a free shipping label is emailed to you directly from Apple that you’ll need to print and attach to the box your device is in. You’ll get paid for your iPhone or other Apple device once they receive it and can confirm that your answers to the online questions were correct.
Best Buy
Another retail giant with a trade-in program for iPods and iPhones is Best Buy. Visit the Best Buy Trade-In page to browse or search for the device you want to trade in for cash. Provide the condition of the device and answer any related questions—like whether you’ve disabled security features, how large the internal storage is, and if your device supports Wi-Fi—and you’ll get an instant quote right there on the page. To accept the offer, choose Add To Your Basket and decide whether you want to trade it in at the store or mail it in. The estimate you see for the store trade-in is valid for one week. You can take it to Best Buy and give them your number and email address for them to pull up the trade-in value you were quoted. In-store Best Buy trade-ins provide a Best Buy gift card, and online ones email an E-Gift Card.
Gamestop
Leading video game retailer GameStop has a trade-in program for not only video games but also Apple devices like iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. You’ll get your quote with just one question, but you can’t trade in your device online. Visit the GameStop trade offers and values page, and select Electronics to search for your device. Pick from three conditions—Working, Damaged, or Dead—and you’ll see the trade-in value adjust appropriately. Make a user account at GameStop to save your trade-in value, then print it and take it to a GameStop store to have an employee assess the value there and offer you cash for your device.
Gazelle
One of the leading sites of its kind, Gazelle buys all kinds of used electronics—from cellphones to iPods—based on their condition, the packaging and accessories they include, and more. Prices paid for iPods and iPhones are among the highest. Gazelle also offers a 30-day price lock option: agree to sell your iPhone now and you have 30 days to complete the transaction. This allows you to lock in the higher price for a phone before the new models are announced and reduce the value of previous generations. Before you trade in your iPhone or other device, you need to answer a few questions—like most electronics-for-cash services. When trading in an iPhone, for example, you might be asked which carrier it was used with, the storage capacity, whether it powers on, if there are any scratches, and if the screen lights up normally. Gazelle also has a loyalty program called Gazelle Rewards that you can sign up for to get one point for each dollar your device is worth when you sell your items through Gazelle. You can redeem the points the next time you sell something.
NextWorth
The other major site in the market, NextWorth, makes it easy to sell a used device. Like Gazelle, it offers a price-lock option so you can secure a higher price before new models come out. Shipping is free and payment options include gift cards, PayPal, and check. However, NextWorth’s list of supported devices you can sell is relatively short. It only supports smartphones, tablets, and wearables from Apple (you can’t sell iPods here). Beyond those restrictions, not all iPhones are supported. However, if you want a second option to make sure you’re getting the most from your iPhone trade-in, NextWorth is there. Unlike most of these Apple product trade-in services, this one asks quite a few questions. When you’re finished supplying answers, you’ll need to provide the IMEI number if you’re selling an iPhone.
PowerMax
Apple reseller PowerMax buys used iPads, iPhones, and iPods (as well as used Macs). Unlike other sites, you have to call them and share the details of the device you want to sell in order to get a quote, rather than getting a quote live on the website. Payment options include check and store credit.
Roostr
If you have a working or broken iPhone, iPad, Apple laptop, Apple TV, or Apple Watch, Roostr could be an option for you to get some money for your unused products. Visit the site and let them know what kind of device you have. Then, answer a few questions about its details and condition to get a quote. If you accept the trade-in value quote, you’ll get a prepaid FedEx label to apply to a box that you supply to send your device. You have 10 days to send it off, and you get paid one day after they review it, via PayPal or check (your choice).
Simply Mac
Simply Mac is another Apple reseller who will take your iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch and convert it to store credit. This means that the money you get for your electronics must be spent at Simply Mac. One way Simply Mac differs from other trade-in services is that there are tons of brands you can choose from, so you can use it for non-Apple devices, too. However, even if you’re selling an iPhone, for example, you can select from old devices such as the iPhone 3GS, plus newer ones. Several carrier options are available, too—beyond the popular ones are others like Cricket. You’ll need to know the IMEI, MEID, ESN, or serial number for the devices you sell to Simply Mac.
Small Dog Electronics
Small Dog Electronics is a long-time Apple reseller that buys iPods, iPads, and Macs (but not iPhones). If you have one of those devices to sell, you can either ship it to them or take it into a Small Dog store. Their Trade-In Request Calculator is easy to use: enter the product and a price appears. If you ship it, you’ll do so with an estimated price, but will get a final price once Small Dog receives and inspects it.
uSell
uSell offers an interesting twist to the online iPhone trade-in business. Instead of offering to buy your used device directly, its search engine combs the offerings from a variety of services to provide you the best offer from that network of sites. The network doesn’t seem to include major sites like Gazelle, though, so the offers can sometimes be lower than you’d receive elsewhere. Still, searching a network of sites from one place may be useful for you, and they also include themselves. uSell sends you a prepaid and pre-addressed shipping kit, and your trade-in value is valid for 30 days. You get paid for your iPhone or iPod (or other device) with check or PayPal. Bulk trade-ins are accepted, too.
Walmart
The Walmart electronics buy-back program, called Gadget to Gift Cards, is similar to Apple’s. If you’re selling an iPhone, you’ll receive a Walmart eGift Card that you can apply to the purchase of something else, such as a newer iPhone. The program also buys back other kinds of electronics. There are four categories you can pick from: cellphones, tablets, game consoles, and voice speakers. To trade in your iPhone or other product to Walmart, follow the onscreen steps to print the free FedEx shipping label, and attach it to the box with your item inside. You can drop it off at any FedEx location.
YouRenew
YouRenew offers the same basic service that other companies on this list do: search for your device, describe its content, and get an estimated value. You get paid by check. If you accept the trade-in value for your iPhone, iPod, or other device, print a prepaid shipping label and send it in to get paid. Devices that don’t have cash value can be sent to YouRenew for recycling. Its sibling business, CorporateRenew, allows businesses to resell or recycle their devices in bulk.
