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That new iPhone is so shiny you can see it glowing in your pocket. Don't just toss your old phone in a drawer though, it probably still has value, more than you might think.
There are quite a few services that will give you cash or store credit for a used iPhone. We've gathered up and compared some popular services where you can trade in an old device for cash or store credit. Most of these services take Samsung and Google devices, and all of them take iPhones.
Comparing prices on all these services highlights some tips for maximizing the resale value of your phone. First and foremost, take care of your phone. Get a good case, check out our recommendations. Also consider a screen protector. They have downsides (decreased touch responsiveness) but they'll keep your device looking new. To up the resale value make sure you buy an unlocked phone. There's no reason to lock yourself to one carrier. Those carrier-based deals are almost universally bad deals in the long run.
The last thing before you run off to cash in your old phone is to make sure you backup all your data using iCloud or iTunes. One gotcha to watch out for: if you backup data using iTunes, not iCloud, make sure you back up your text messages, which sometimes including photos and videos that you haven't saved to your Camera Roll. Remember to unpair your Apple Watch, and [wipe your phone](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-wipe-your-phone-before-you-sell-it/) as well.
### Swappa
An eBay clone of sorts, [Swappa](https://swappa.com/){: rel=nofollow} seeks to eliminate some of the problems associated with eBay: high sellers fees, poor seller-buyer communication tools, and too many poor quality devices. To that end, you won't be able to sell your iPhone here unless it's in good shape, fully functional with no damage.
So long as your phone meets Swappa's [listing criteria](https://swappa.com/faq/sell/listing_device_criteria){: rel=nofollow}, and you're willing to put in a little effort, this is where you'll get the most money for your old device.
As you would on eBay, you'll need to put together a listing with photos. Be sure to take the case off your phone and be honest about the condition. Remember to factor in shipping when setting your sale price.
Currently an iPhone 8 64-gigabyte model sells for $362, with the 256-gigabyte model going for $432. An iPhone XR sells for an average of $576 to $694, depending on the storage capacity.
### Decluttr
If you don't want to spend the time and effort Swappa requires [Decluttr](https://www.decluttr.com){: rel=nofollow} can turn your old iPhone into cash fast, albeit slightly less cash. All you need to do is answer a few questions about the condition of your phone, storage capacity, and carrier lock if any. You can do that through the website, or using the Decluttr app.
Once it knows about your phone, Decluttr will make you an offer. Should you accept you ship your device in and the company inspects. If need be Decluttr will revise its offer, but should your offer change you have the option to decline and get your phone back at no charge.
Assuming you get an offer you like, and Decluttr is satisfied with the condition of your device, you should receive your money (PayPal is done same day, direct deposit and check take longer). Decluttr seems to pay a bit more than others of this ilk. Currently an unlocked iPhone 8 with 64 GB in good condition can get you $272 back and an iPhone XR with 64 GB in good condition will earn you $432.
### Gazelle
[Gazelle](https://www.gazelle.com/trade-in){: rel=nofollow} is the old hand in the world of used phones, the company has been buying up phones since 2006 and it's pretty much got the process down at this point. And it is a simple process. Much like Decluttr, you fill out the online form, answer some questions about your device, whether it works, which carrier its tied to, and if there's any cosmetic damage. You'll then get an offer based on the answers you give.
Like Decluttr, if you accept the offer Gazelle will send a box complete with shipping label, and you ship the phone in for inspection. Once the company has looked over your device, and assuming it's in the condition you said it was, you'll be paid -- usually in about seven to ten days. Payment can be in the form of a check, PayPal, or Amazon gift card.
A factory-unlocked 64 GB iPhone 8 in good condition will get you $198. A 64 GB iPhone XR for Verizon will net you $264. Gazelle sometimes runs promos around new device launches so keep an eye out on the site for promotional offers.
### uSell
If your iPhone is damaged or the battery will no longer hold a charge, [uSell](https://www.usell.com/sell/iphone/){: rel=nofollow} will still buy it. Of the send-it-in-style services, uSell offered the most for damaged devices. We were offered $65 for an iPhone 8 that doesn't even power on.
It's something of a hybrid service since you aren't actually selling your phone to uSell, but buyers it works with, but in practice it works more like Decluttr than Swappa.
### Apple
Apple's [Trade-In program](https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in){: rel=nofollow} doesn't always offer the best prices, but if you're buying a new iPhone it makes it simple to quickly apply your credit to the new phone. Beware that Apple will only pay top dollar for absolutely pristine phones. At the time of writing an iPhone 8 in good condition will get you $208.
We don't recommend it, but if you're the sort of person that just can't stop themselves from upgrading to a new iPhone every year, you might save some money using Apple's [iPhone upgrade program](https://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program){: rel=nofollow}. Essentially a leasing program, you can perpetually pay for your phone, but get a new one after 12 months, which makes it cheaper than buying a new unlocked phone every year.
### Best Buy
Best Buy will do trade-ins online or in [participating stores](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/best-buy-trade-in/pcmcat133600050011.c?id=pcmcat133600050011){: rel=nofollow}. They won't take damaged devices, and you won't get cash, just store credit, but if you need something from Best Buy anyway it's a relatively no-hassle option, especially if you go the in-store route.
### Carrier Trade-Ins
Your service provider probably has a buy-back program of some sort. [Verizon](https://www.verizonwireless.com/od/trade-in/#/){: rel=nofollow}, [AT&T](https://tradein.att.com/){: rel=nofollow}, [Sprint](https://secure.sprintbuyback.com/bbt/){: rel=nofollow} and [T-Mobile](https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/phone-trade-in){: rel=nofollow} will all buy back your device, though generally for far less than the other options in this list.
### Other options
There's always eBay. While personal experience has soured me on eBay lately -- the number of buyer scams seems to far outweigh the number of legitimate buyers -- it is still one of the most popular places to sell things online. There are also other device-centric swapping sites, like [NextWorth](https://www.nextworth.com/){: rel=nofollow} and [GadgetGone](https://www.gadgetgone.com/){: rel=nofollow}. [Walmart](https://walmart.cexchange.com/online/home/index.rails){: rel=nofollow}, and [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Trade-In/b?ie=UTF8&node=9187220011){: rel=nofollow}, also have device trade-in programs, but neither of them offered as good of a deal as the options above.
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