How it works

Person holding a phone near an ecoATM kiosk screen

1. Fill us in

Tell us about your phone and lock in your offer for 7 days. Your drop-off code makes selling at the kiosk quick and easy.

Price My Device
Hands holding a phone connected to a charging cable

2. Get ready

Back up all your information and wipe your device to sell. iPhone users, make sure you're signed out of iCloud.

Show Me How
Hand touching the screen of an ecoATM kiosk

3. Get paid

Find an ecoATM kiosk near you and drop off your device. Get instant cash or get paid via Venmo or PayPal.

Find an ecoATM

What happens at the kiosk?

  1. Enter your Drop-Off Code

    No code? No problem. You can get an offer right at the kiosk, just follow the easy step-by-step instructions.

  2. Connect your device

    Our secure connection helps confirm your phone's make, model, battery life, condition and more so we can get you the most accurate offer.

  3. We'll validate your ID

    We'll scan your ID and snap a photo (and in some states, we may take your thumbprint). This is how we keep every transaction secure. Remember, you must be 18 or older to sell.

  4. Get paid!

    ecoATM pays you on the spot. Choose cash, Venmo, or PayPal.

Don't make these mistakes!

These mistakes can cost you time or money at the kiosk.

  • Charge your device

    Make sure your battery is fully charged. Phones that don't turn on may get less money than initially offered.

  • Selling a tablet? Pick the right kiosk

    Not every ecoATM can accept tablets. Check your nearest kiosk on locations.ecoatm.com before you go.

  • iPhones: Sign out of iCloud

    Apple devices must be signed out of iCloud to get the full offer.

  • Bring your ID

    You must be 18 or older and have a valid driver's license or state ID to sell. Don't leave home without it.

What's next for your tech?

Worker sorting and processing phones at ecoATM's fulfillment center
  1. Your device is picked up & brought to our secure processing center in Louisville, Kentucky
  2. We take a closer look at your device

    Every phone and tablet is carefully inspected.  We utilize state-of-the-art tech, including data-wiping tools, to prepare devices for their next chapter.

  3. Working devices find a new home. Non-working devices are responsibly recycled.

    Either way, your phone stays out of a landfill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does ecoATM require a government-issued ID?

We require an ID to prove that you are over 18 years old and to confirm your identity in case the phone sold is reported as lost or stolen.

How does ecoATM determine my phone's value?

ecoATM kiosks use state-of-the-art diagnostic and AI tools to thoroughly examine your phone and assess the value based on the condition of your device and current market value of that particular model.

Does ecoATM buy phones with cracked screens or other damage?

Yes! While cosmetic damage will affect the offer you receive, ecoATM will absolutely accept damaged devices.

Can I sell a phone that won't turn on?

You can sell a phone that will not turn on; however, your payout amount will likely be reduced.

How long does it take to sell a phone at ecoATM

It only takes about 7 minutes to sell a phone with ecoATM.

FAQ Continued

How much does ecoATM pay for iPhones?

Payouts for iPhones depend on the model and condition of the device. ecoATM uses state-of-the-art technology to thoroughly examine your device and give you a fair offer based on current market rates. Want to see what your phone is worth? Get an offer here.

How much does ecoATM pay for broken phones?

The amount ecoATM pays depends on multiple factors, including the device model, storage, cosmetic condition, and the market value of the device. To find out what your phone is worth, head over to our Price Your Device Tool and get a quote.

Can I sell a phone to ecoATM without a charger?

Absolutely! In fact, we don’t accept any additional accessories like chargers or cases. Just your phone is needed to sell with ecoATM.

Does ecoATM buy Samsung phones?

Yes, ecoATM accepts Samsung phones as well as all major manufacturers.

Does ecoATM buy tablets?

Some of our kiosks can accept tablets. To find the nearest kiosk to you, head to our kiosk locator and select Tablets in the accepted devices filter.

What happens to the data on my device?

Our processing facility utilizes state-of-the-art data-wiping tools to wipe the data from phones where technologically possible. We always recommend you erase your data (for example, via a factory reset) before selling a phone with ecoATM to protect your information.

How do I prepare my phone before selling it?

The best way to prepare your device is to charge it fully, back up all your data, and factory reset your device, including removing your iCloud or Gmail accounts from the device. Need help? Head over to our prepare page and we can walk you through resetting your device step by step.

Does ecoATM accept phones with activation lock?

No, ecoATM cannot buy devices with activation lock turned on. You must remove the activation lock and your iCloud account before selling with ecoATM.

What happens if I forget to remove my SIM card?

No worries! Your carrier will be able to issue you a new SIM card and your old one will be deactivated.

Can I sell multiple phones at once?

Yes, you can sell up to three devices at one time. If you have more devices, you can return another day, or you can always recycle them for no payout.

Can I sell a company-owned phone?

You should only ever sell phones that belong to you at ecoATM.

What phones does ecoATM not accept?

We do not accept landline telephones, but all mobile devices are able to be recycled with ecoATM.

Why is my offer lower than expected?

Your offer is based on the current market value of the device along with its condition.

Is ecoATM legitimate?

Absolutely. ecoATM has been buying and recycling phones since 2009. Since then, we’ve received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and thousands of 5-star reviews from customers.

Is ecoATM better than selling on eBay or Facebook Marketplace?

ecoATM provides a secure way to sell your devices for instant cash without the need for haggling over pricing, meeting strangers to complete the sale, or paying processing fees. You may get more for your device with Marketplace or eBay (before the fees), but ecoATM is the only one that promises instant cash safely.

Where do ecoATM phones go after they are sold?

All devices are retrieved from the kiosk and delivered to our Louisville, Kentucky processing facility where they are examined and recycled (for example, the phones can be resold, refurbished for resale, or sent to be broken down into parts for reuse).

Does ecoATM recycle phones?

Yes, ecoATM has recycled devices and kept millions of pounds of e-waste out of landfills.

How many phones has ecoATM recycled?

As of January 2025, ecoATM has recycled devices, with an average of over 15,000 devices now recycled every single day.

Do I need an ID to sell my phone?

Yes, an unexpired state-issued ID is required to sell a phone with ecoATM. We do not accept Military IDs (except at kiosks located on military bases), passport books or cards, or paper IDs.

How much e-waste has ecoATM helped prevent?

ecoATM has recycled devices, equal to over 10,000 metric tons of e-waste.

Do I need to erase my phone before selling it to ecoATM?

It is highly encouraged that you erase your device before selling. While we utilize data wiping tools at our processing center to wipe phones where technologically possible, we always recommend erasing your device on your own so you know your data is removed.

What happens to my personal data when I sell my phone?

We strongly recommend you remove all personal data from your device before selling it with ecoATM. We do attempt to wipe devices once they arrive at our Louisville, KY processing center, however we cannot guarantee your data will be erased.

Does ecoATM buy locked phones?

Yes, ecoATM buys both locked and unlocked devices.

Can I sell a financed phone to ecoATM?

If you still owe on your financed phone, no, ecoATM cannot accept your device.

Can I sell a phone that is still under contract?

If you financed your device and are paying for it as part of your plan, no, you cannot sell it with ecoATM. However, if you purchased your phone outright or have already paid off your device, you absolutely can sell your device with ecoATM. Your contract means you have an obligation to maintain service with that carrier and selling your phone with ecoATM will not affect that.

Does ecoATM buy phones reported lost or stolen?

No. We check every device against the CheckMEND database and reject any device reported as lost or stolen. If you have a lost/stolen device you believe was sold to ecoATM, reach out to your local law enforcement and we’ll gladly work with them to return your device to you.

How do I get paid by ecoATM?

You can choose to either be paid cash on the spot or opt for a digital payment via PayPal or Venmo if you prefer or if cash is not available.

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