Where to take old phones and tablets instead of throwing them away
Old phones and tablets can go to recycling centers, trade-in programs, donation charities, or resale sites—not to the trash. Most electronics contain materials that poison landfills: lead, mercury, and cadmium leach into soil and water. Recycling breaks them down safely and recovers copper, gold, and rare metals that manufacturers use again. The fastest route depends on whether your device still works and whether you want money or a tax write-off.
If the device powers on and the screen is intact, a trade-in program or resale site usually pays you something. If it is broken or very old, a recycling center or charity donation is the right choice. Some charities refurbish working devices and give them to people who cannot afford new ones; recyclers extract materials from anything that cannot be fixed.
Key Takeaways
- Working phones and tablets can be traded in to carriers, manufacturers, or resale sites like Gazelle or Swappa for cash or store credit.
- Charities including the National Cristina Foundation and World Computer Exchange accept donations of working devices and refurbish them for low-income users.
- Recycling centers certified by e-Stewards or R2 (Responsible Recycling) safely extract materials and keep toxic components out of landfills.
- Manufacturer take-back programs like Apple's and Samsung's often offer trade-in value or free recycling if the device is too old to resell.
- Before you hand over a device, wipe all data using the factory reset function in Settings, not just deleting files.
Trade-in programs that pay cash or store credit
If your phone or tablet powers on and the screen works, a trade-in program will usually offer you money. Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile run their own programs and credit your account or send a check. Apple, Samsung, and Google also buy back their own devices directly through their websites. These programs pay more for newer models and less for older ones, but even a five-year-old phone may be worth $20 to $50.
Third-party resale sites like Gazelle, Decluttr, and Swappa also buy used devices. You answer questions about the condition (cracked screen, battery health, whether it powers on), get an when ready quote, and mail the device in a prepaid box. Swappa is peer-to-peer, so you list the device yourself and a buyer contacts you; Gazelle and Decluttr buy directly and send payment within days of receiving the device. Prices vary by site and condition, so getting quotes from two or three takes ten minutes and can mean a difference of $30 or more.
Donating working devices to charities and nonprofits
If you do not want to sell the device or it is too old to have resale value, donation to a charity that refurbishes electronics is a good choice. The National Cristina Foundation accepts phones and tablets and gives them to students, seniors, and people with disabilities. World Computer Exchange refurbishes devices and ships them to schools in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Both organizations provide a receipt you can use for a tax deduction if you itemize.
Local charities often accept devices too. Call your city's library, school district, or workforce development office and ask whether they take donations. Some libraries run device lending programs and accept used tablets. Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept electronics at many locations, though policies vary by store—call ahead before you visit. When you donate, ask for a receipt with the device description and the charity's tax ID number; you will need this if you claim the donation on your taxes.
Manufacturer take-back and recycling programs
Apple, Samsung, Google, and other manufacturers run their own recycling programs. Apple's Trade In program offers credit toward a new device or a gift card if your phone or tablet is too old to resell. If the device has no resale value, Apple will recycle it for free at any Apple Store or through mail-in. Samsung has a similar program called Samsung Trade-In. Google's program is called Google Store Trade-in and works the same way.
To use a manufacturer program, go to their website, enter your device model and condition, and get an when ready quote. If you accept, you either drop it off at a store or print a shipping label and mail it in. The company then either sends you a gift card or applies credit to your account. This is simpler than comparing multiple resale sites if you plan to buy a new device from the same manufacturer anyway.
Certified e-waste recyclers for broken or very old devices
If your device does not power on, has a shattered screen, or is so old that no one will buy it, a certified recycler is the right choice. Look for recyclers certified by e-Stewards or R2 (Responsible Recycling). These certifications mean the company follows strict rules: they do not send electronics to landfills or to countries with weak environmental laws, they extract toxic materials safely, and they recover metals and plastics for reuse.
Find a certified recycler near you by searching "e-Stewards recycler near me" or "R2 recycler near me" on Google Maps. Many offer free drop-off for a few devices. Some charge a small fee ($5 to $10 per device) if you bring in a large load. Call first to ask whether they accept phones and tablets, what condition they need to be in, and whether you need to wipe the data yourself or they will do it. Some recyclers will also pick up devices from your home if you have many to dispose of.
How to erase your data before handing over a device
Before you sell, donate, or recycle a phone or tablet, erase all your data using the factory reset function. Deleting files one by one is not enough—deleted files can be recovered with the right software. A factory reset wipes the entire device and restores it to the state it left the factory.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted. On an Android phone or tablet, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset). The exact path varies by manufacturer, but the words "factory reset" or "erase all data" will be in the menu. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes and will delete everything: photos, messages, passwords, apps, and accounts. Do this before you mail the device or hand it to someone else.
If you are trading in through a carrier or manufacturer, you can sometimes skip this step—they will do it for you. But if you are selling to a private buyer or donating to a local charity, always reset the device yourself. Take a screenshot of the reset confirmation screen as proof that you completed it.
Comparing your options: resale, donation, or recycling
| Option | Device Condition | Time to Complete | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade-in (carrier or manufacturer) | Powers on, screen intact | 1 to 2 weeks | Cash, store credit, or gift card |
| Resale site (Gazelle, Swappa) | Powers on, minor damage okay | 1 to 3 weeks | Cash (usually $20 to $200) |
| Charity donation | Powers on, works normally | 1 to 2 weeks | Tax deduction receipt |
| Certified recycler | Any condition | 1 week | None (environmental benefit) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my phone or tablet is locked to a carrier?
If the device is locked to Verizon, AT&T, or another carrier, you can still trade it in or recycle it, but you cannot sell it to a private buyer. Trade-in programs and recyclers accept locked devices. If you want to sell it on a resale site, contact the carrier and ask them to unlock it first—most will do this for free if the device is paid off and your account is in good standing.
Can I get money for a phone that is cracked or has a dead battery?
Yes, but the amount will be much lower. Resale sites like Gazelle and Swappa have separate pricing for devices with cosmetic damage or battery issues. A phone with a cracked screen might be worth $10 to $30 instead of $50 to $100. If the damage is severe or the battery does not hold a charge, recycling is usually the better choice because resale sites may reject it.
Do I need to remove the SIM card before I send the device away?
Yes. Remove the SIM card before you mail the device or hand it over. The SIM card is yours and contains your phone number and carrier information. You can insert it into a new phone or keep it as a backup. Most devices have a small slot on the side or back; use a SIM ejector tool (usually included with new phones) or a straightened paperclip to pop it out.
What happens to my data if I donate to a charity instead of recycling?
If you donate a working device to a charity, they will wipe it and refurbish it before giving it to someone else. But you should still run the factory reset yourself before you hand it over—this ensures your data is gone and gives you proof that you did your part. Never assume the charity will do it, even if they say they will.
Is it safe to mail a device to a resale site?
Yes. Resale sites provide prepaid shipping labels and insurance. Pack the device in a padded box or bubble mailer, include the charger if you have it, and drop it at a UPS, FedEx, or USPS location. Take a photo of the package before you seal it as proof of what you sent. Most sites will not pay you until they receive and inspect the device, so keep the tracking number until the payment arrives.