Jan 17, 2023
So, you’ve got yourself a new cell phone or are planning to get one and are wondering what to do with the old one. There are a few really good options that we’ll share with you here as well as one non-option that we’ll also share:
Please don’t just throw your old smartphone out.
You probably already know that but, we’d be remiss if we didn’t remind you. It’s just that, well, smartphones don’t decompose. Because of that, throwing one away means it will simply end up in a landfill – along with all the others that have been dumped in landfills – and will stay there as is for the rest of time. And that’s simply awful for the environment.
First things first
Before you get rid of your old cell phone, it’s important to prepare it so you don’t lose your data and photos or, even worse, have all that information fall into the wrong hands.
Two ways to prep your phone
Back it up to a cloud storage provider so all your photos, apps, passwords, etc., are safe and secure, and then do a factory reset to erase everything on the device.
While setting up your new phone, transfer the data from your old phone to your new phone. Don’t forget to remove your SIM card and place it in the new phone.
Your old phone’s ready to go bye-bye. Now what do you do with it?
Trade it in
Wireless providers like AT&T and Verizon frequently offer trade-in deals that can save you a good amount of money on a new phone. If the phone you are replacing is in good shape, it’s worth seeing what they’ll offer you for it.
Beyond that, you can also see what Best Buy or Amazon will offer you for a trade-in. Either way, through your phone company or one of these retailers, you save on a new phone, and they take care of disposing of your old one.
Sell it
The following are a few companies worth looking into to sell your used phone. Depending on its condition, age, and model, you could get a good price for it. When reaching out to these places, bear in mind that they will provide you with an estimate for what they think your old phone is worth, and then they will pay you once your device is received on their end.
Simply select the make, model, and condition of your cell phone on the website, and BuyBackWorld gives you an instant price. If you’re good with their offer, they will email you a free shipping label. Just print it out, tape it to the box, and drop it in the mail. You can expect to be paid within two days of BuyBackWorld receiving your phone. You can be paid via PayPal, direct deposit, credit, with a BuyBackWorld or prepaid gift card.
Simply select the make, model, and condition of your cell phone on their website, and Decluttr gives you an instant price and will lock it in for 28 days. If you’re good with their offer, they will send you a free shipping label by email. Simply print it out, tape it to the box, and drop it off at a UPS location. You can expect to be paid the day after your phone arrives at Decluttr. You can be paid by PayPal, direct deposit, or choose to donate your payment to charity.
ecoATM is a super easy way to sell your phone and get paid for it on the spot. You simply take your phone to one of their 5,000 ATMs located around the country, place your phone into the ecoATM where it’s immediately evaluated, and get an offer on it. If you accept the offer, you get paid right then and there.
Gazelle
Gazelle buys and sells used consumer electronics including cell phones. The company buys your used phone, refurbishes it, and then resells it on its website.
This California-based company purchases cell phones, as well as tablets, smartwatches, and more through its trade-in program. To sell your item, simply select your device to receive an offer. If you accept their offer, they’ll send you a prepaid shipping label via email. Once your phone is inspected and accepted, you’ll be paid.
Swappa
Swappa lets you sell your old phone for cash as long as it’s in full working condition. Its website states that “Selling on Swappa means you get paid what your phone is actually worth, and that's more than any trade-in sites are offering. Plus, when you list on Swappa you get paid instantly as soon as your phone sells.”
Swopsmart is a good option for selling a cell phone that’s broken. They take those that aren’t, of course, but if yours is damaged in some way, check them out. To sell your item, simply select your used phone type, network, storage capacity, and condition. Then you’ll receive an offer. If you accept their offer, they’ll send you a prepaid shipping label via email. Once your phone is inspected and accepted, you’ll be paid via check or PayPal.
Donate it
There are plenty of companies and nonprofit organizations that need used phones to help fund their efforts to improve the lives of those less fortunate. If you choose not to sell your old phone, consider donating it to one of these groups:
Cell Phones for Soldiers. This national non-profit provides free cell phone service for active-duty military members and veterans.
911 Cell Phone Bank. The program takes your old device, refurbishes it, and provides it to needy citizens across the country.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). NCADV collects cell phones, its partner Cellular Recycler refurbishes and sells them, and some of those funds go back to NCADV to fund its programs.
Second Wave Recycling. This nonprofit accepts a variety of devices including older phones, iPods and MP3 players, tablets and e-readers, handheld gaming devices, smartwatches, and charging cables. Working devices are refurbished and sold for cash which is then donated to one of Second Wave’s designated charities. At present, Second Wave is supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, which offers support services for injured U.S. military personnel.
Once you’ve traded in, sold, or donated your old cell phone and purchased a new Android or iPhone, it’s time to set it up however you like it!
Increase the font size - Android
Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” At the next screen, tap “Font Size.” Here, you’ll see a slider. Drag it as far to the right as you like. The farther it goes to the right, the larger your font size will be. Then, click “Done” to save your changes.
Increase the font size - iPhone
Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” Look for and click on the words “Display & Text Size.” On the next screen, you have the option to turn on “Bold Text” and “Larger Text,” among others. Click on “Larger Text” and you can turn on what are called “Larger Accessibility Sizes.” The larger text won’t work on every app, but it will function on many, and that will make reading on your phone easier.
If you’d like to darken the text, which is called bold, turn on “Bold Text.” Again, the text won’t be bolded on every app, but it will be on many of them.
Install updates – Android
In order to keep your phone running its best, it needs to update itself on occasion. To make sure this happens, open Settings, and then click on “About Phone/Tablet.” On the next screen turn on “Automatic Update.”
Install updates – iPhone
Open Settings, then click on “General” and then “Software Update” and turn “Automatic Updates” to the “on” position. On the next screen, turn on “Download iOS Updates” and “Install iOS Updates.” Now software updates will be made automatically after they have been downloaded. iPhone sends you a notification before updates are installed. All you need to do is make sure your iPhone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi to complete the update.
Use your phone as a hotspot – Android
A hot spot enables you to work on your laptop when you’re away from home or in a place where there’s no public Wi-Fi. Using your phone in this manner allows you to remain productive and connected.
Open Settings, then “Connections,” then “Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.”
Once the hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.
Use your phone as a hotspot – iPhone
Open Settings, then tap “Personal Hotspot,” then “Allow Others to Join.”
Once your hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.
H2O Wireless loves helping you get the most for your phone and from your phone – and we really love helping you save the most on your phone plan!
Just $25 a line.
At just $25 a line, H2O Wireless gives you great coverage, more than enough data, and unlimited international talk and text (plus a $5 international talk credit), so you can keep in touch with family and friends around the globe and they can keep in touch with you!
Enjoy Multi-Line Savings
Connect your friends and family to get Multi-Line savings with 2 lines for $50 or 4 lines for $100. Each line comes with 6 GB of LTE data so you can stream, listen, and do what you do at $25 per line.
Here’s Exactly What Every Line Gets...
- 6 GB of LTE Data
- Unlimited Data, Talk & Text
- Unlimited International Talk to 70 Countries
- Unlimited International Text
- $5 International Talk Credit
Here’s Exactly What You Don’t Get…
- Contracts
- Hassles
- Headaches!
With H2O Wireless, you get the best cell phone coverage for less and the best unlimited plans – not to mention the most cost-effective, realistically priced unlimited plans – anywhere.
Or, choose our 12 month plan for just $8.33 a month!
With H2O Wireless’ 12 Month Plan, you purchase service once and you’re done for the year. No worrying about missing a payment or tracking the expense. You simply make a one-time payment of $100 using your credit or debit card, and that’s it. Our 12 Month Plan breaks down to crazy low $8.33 a month, and gives you an entire year of unlimited talk and text, as well as 1GB of high-speed data every month. There are no other payments to make or additional steps to take. Plus there’s no contract and no hidden fees.
A word about “unlimited data”
With so many cellular phone businesses vying for your money, it’s difficult to tell which you can trust. The overpriced services clamber, “Pick me!” with promises of low cost, unlimited data plans. But do you really need an unlimited amount of data? Will you use all of that data? Maybe. But if you don’t, guess what? You still have to pay for it.
If you’re on a $70 a month plan which gives you up to 23GB of data it means you’re paying $3.04 per GB of data. And if you’re using just 4GB a month (which is what most people typically use), you’re paying $57.40 per month for data you’re not using. Ouch.
The truth is…
Most people use just 2-5GB of data per billing cycle, and that’s because you’d have to spend every waking moment, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week online to exceed that amount. The average consumer doesn’t do that, and that’s why the average consumer doesn’t need a $50, $60 or $70 a month unlimited plan!
At H2O Wireless, we don’t think you should pay for data you don’t need and aren’t going to use.
That’s why we’re proud to offer you plans starting as low as $18 a month (with auto pay) for unlimited talk and text and 2GB of data.
Need more data one month? Simply go into your account portal and add more. When next month rolls around, if you need less data, you can go right back into your portal and reduce it. Simply log onto PureTalk.com, click on My Account, and select Manage My Data. Make your changes, save them, and log out. It’s that simple.
Plus, H2O Wireless Connects You to the World
Each H2O Wireless Monthly Unlimited Plan includes unlimited international talk to 70 Countries (including China and Mexico), unlimited text to any country in the world, and up to $5 international talk credit depending on the plan you select.
Purchase these features whenever you need:
International Talk
You can purchase International Talk for your plan for $5 or $10. Simply log into your account to make this purchase.
International Roaming
You can purchase International Roaming for your plan. This can be used for talk minutes, text, or MMS.
5G / 4G Data
You can purchase additional high speed data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10 or 5GB for $20.
Hotspot Data
Share your cellular data via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB using laptops, tablets, and more by purchasing Hotspot Data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10, 5GB for $20, or 10GB for $30.
More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Refer a Friend
When you join H2O Wireless, you can take advantage of our Refer a Friend (RAF) referral program. It enables you to share the H2O love and lower your bill! Share the H2O love with enough friends, and you might not even have a bill.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Spread the Word
Get your unique referral link, then send it to friends and family.
Step 2: Sign Them Up
Help your friend select an H2O Wireless Plan.
Step 3: Get Rewarded
Once your friend activates their H2O service, you each get rewarded with $20 in RAF rewards points.
RAF FAQs
What is the Refer a Friend Program?
Refer a Friend is the H2O® Wireless referral program in which you and a friend get $20 of H2O points for each activated referral.
When are H2O points applied to my account?
When the person referred activates their H2O Wireless service your rewards points will be applied. Please note: For Port-Ins, points will be received within 1-5 business days.
Do I get referral points if I just tell a friend about H2O?
No. They need to use your referral link.
How many people can I refer?
You can refer up to 10 people per month, which is a total of 120 referrals per year, for thousands of dollars’ worth of reward points. So many rewards points they might pay for your H2O service!
More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Bring Your Own Phone
Have a phone you love? H2O Wireless makes it easy to bring it with you. Simply join H2O Wireless and, at checkout, choose eSIM. Like a physical SIM card, but without the 3-5 day wait for a physical card to arrive, eSIM enables you to use your new service much faster. In fact, you can activate your service right after checking out. Of course, before you select eSIM, make sure your phone is eSIM compatible by reviewing the list below.
Is my phone eSIM compatible?
eSIM compatible phone models include:
- iPhone XS series
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone SE 2nd gen
- iPhone 12 series
What our customers are saying…
“I have been using H2O prepaid service for more than 3 years. I get a good connection in the mid-west and other places I have visited in the US, with no dropped calls. I only recharge when my balance is low and never had any issue with their customer service. I have contacted their customer service on few occasions, and they’ve been most helpful.”
“I have had H2O monthly unlimited for a few years now. I use WIFI and Data interchangeably, and don't even think about it. My data is unlimited, and even if I stream videos or the news to my phone any time I want, I have never had it slow down.”
“My phone is an unlocked, international version Samsung. I pay $28 a month at H2O and get a service that is literally unlimited in every way. A special bonus with this plan, is that I get international texting - which I was unable to achieve with T-Mobile, Sprint or AT&T.”
With H2O Wireless it’s easy to stay connected to your family, friends, work, your favorite shows, podcasts, news outlets – your whole world – for less. That’s what makes us refreshingly. different. wireless.
See for yourself today!
