Selling or exchanging a used Android phone is a smart way to safely remove your old devices and hopefully earn some extra cash that you can add to the next update. But there are a few things to keep in mind before downloading your old phone, such as backing up and deleting your data, cleaning it up, and finding the right vendor or exchange offer.
It sounds simple enough, but Android’s variety of “flavors” makes this process more cluttered than it is for iPhone users. As such, the names and locations of the settings we discuss in this guide may vary on your phone or Android version, but the general guidelines are the same. If you don’t find anything, use the phone search bar to find the appropriate settings, and if it doesn’t work, look for specific online guides for your device.
1. Back up your Android data
The first step is to back up your data, including your contacts, texts, application data, photos, and other files stored on your phone. The process has pretty much the same steps as in our video guide back up personal data on Android (and iOS), so feel free to check it out, too.
There are a few ways to back up an Android phone, but the built-in Android backup tool is the easiest; that upload your data to Google Drive (or other applications) so you can import it to your new phone later.
Many users will have automatic backups enabled, but you can manually create one Settings> System> Backup. This menu also shows the most recent backup made and what types of data there are included. Be sure to change all of the options below “Backup Details” to make sure nothing is left, select “Back up now” to save your data.
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Keep in mind that you may not have enough space to back up your entire phone for free, at least if you’re using Google Drive or Google One Drive. Everything you back up has the free 15GB allocated to all Google Accounts, but buying extra space is cheap.
That said, if you want to keep things free but have trouble with the 15GB limit, the best option is to back up your phone’s photos and videos elsewhere. Google Photos will automatically back up your phone images, but the app now counts the additional uploads in the cloud with the storage limit of your Google Account, and photos and videos are likely to be the largest part your phone’s data. Instead, look for a file alternative cloud service or manually move your photos to your PC via USB.
2. Remove your Google Account (and other accounts)
The next step is to delete your Google Account from your phone. Make sure you perform this step after back up your data, as you won’t be able to sync files with the cloud after deleting an account. Luckily, the removal process is pretty simple:
- Go to Settings> Accounts.
- Select your Google Account from the list.
- Faucet “Delete account”.
- Repeat for any additional accounts synced to your phone.
3. Perform a factory reset of your Android
With your data backed up and your phone account unlocked from your phone, you can now do a factory reset. This clears the installed data, files, and installed applications from the phone’s internal storage and resets all defaults. You can do a factory reset though the phone screen is completely in the trash, but we’ll show you how to do it by assuming your device is still running.
- Go to Settings> Advanced> Reset Options
- Select “Erase all data (factory reset).”
- The next screen will show you everything that will be deleted. This is your last chance to back up your persistent data.
- Faucet “Clear all data” to start the process.
4. Clean it
With the inside of the phone erased, now is the time to deal with the outside.
This is pretty simple. Start by removing all the cases, cases, and other accessories connected to your phone, and then remove the SIM card. The steps for this will be different depending on the devices, but most require a small pin key to open the SIM card slot. These little tools are usually shipped in the original box, but you can also buy them online; or go to a certified repair site, technical support desks in stores such as Best Buy, or the nearest store of your telephone operator. Oh, and don’t forget to take out any micro SD expansion cards if you have a phone that supports expanded storage options.
Now it’s time to clean the phone. Our guide to safe electronic sanitary products can help you if you’re not sure what to do, but the general rule is to avoid liquid cleaners, as moisture damages electronic products and chemicals such as alcohol, bleach and ammonia can affect plastic and glass. A simple microfiber cloth that you wipe off will remove fingerprints and stains, and a dry tip can help remove dust or dirt.
This is also a good opportunity to evaluate the quality of the device. Make a note of any dent, cracks, or scratches in advance so you can get an accurate assessment in the next step. You should also confirm that you still have the original packaging of the phone and the accessories that came with it, such as chargers or headphones. These are not required to sell the phone, but including them may increase the final exchange value.
5. Look for a sales agreement or dealer
Your phone is ready to change, but the question is: to on? There are a few different options, and some may get a better deal than others, but ultimately, it depends on what you want to do with the exchange value.
If you plan to use your old phone value as credit for a new phone, check with your service provider’s change programs. T-Mobile / Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, Google Fi, US Cellularand others allow you to negotiate with old phones and use the value for your next purchase; however, only a few models may be eligible and only if they are in good condition.
For those who buy directly from a manufacturer, you can sell older versions of your company’s phone to get credit. For example, Samsung allows you trade with your Galaxy phones, i Google accepts changes to Pixel. Although, again, there may be restrictions.
In the same way, retailers like it Amazon, Best buy, GameStop, i Walmart have change programs, and you can also use your gift card credit to buy anything on their websites.
If you want to sell cash instead of credit in-store, there are many third-party resellers you can also use, including:
These companies will buy your old phones in cash. Payment is based on phone status and current market value.
The last option is to sell the phone directly to someone else. Sometimes a direct sale can be a better deal, as you can set the price yourself, but there is no guarantee that you will make a sale.
There are many websites that facilitate online sales safely, such as Swappa, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or even Amazon i Later market if you are a professional reformer. These websites usually offer some form of fraud protection and transaction guarantees.
You can also go for the riskiest route and post it on Craigslist, or online forums, subreddits, Telegram channels and Discord servers dedicated to resale after marketing. And if all else fails, post it on social media and see if your followers are interested. However, there is always the possibility of scams, fraud and other abuses when using websites and services like this, so be careful if you follow this route.
6. Send it
To anyone who wants to sell or exchange your phone, the last step is to prepare and send it, unless you exchange the phone in person, in which case you can only enter the store.
Third-party manufacturers, service providers, and resellers will provide you with shipping instructions and often free labels that you can print at home. When it comes to selling to someone on Craigslist or eBay, you will need to take care of shipping on your own. Your local post office, or companies like UPS and FedEx, can help you pack everything up and ship it, just know that you will pay for it yourself.
Once the package is in the mail, just wait for whoever sent it to receive it.