Trade in your mobile device FAQs

If you're an existing Verizon customer, you can trade in your old mobile device and get instant credit towards your purchase today*, or receive an account credit, if instant credit doesn't apply to you. Learn more about instant credit.

If you're not yet a customer, you can get account credit for your old device. If you're not interested in purchasing a new device while trading your old one, you can trade your device and get a Verizon gift card or a PayPal account credit.

Visit our Device Trade-In Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to trade in your device.

*Available to qualified customers only.

If the device you're trading in is currently active (i.e., receives calls or uses data on any network) and you'd like to keep the line active, you must first swap the device with an inactive or new device before shipping it.

If the device is active on our network, visit our Activate/Switch Device FAQs for more information about this process.

Devices that are active on a Device Payment Agreement (DPA) are ineligible for trade-in until the DPA has been paid in full.

You won't receive credit or a gift card for the traded device until it's deactivated.

You can trade in these devices:

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Smartwatches
• Basic phones
• Mobile hotspot devices
• Netbooks
• 3G prepaid phones that have been active for at least 6 months
• 4G prepaid phones that have been activated and at least the first month payment has been made

We don't accept these devices for trade in:

• Vehicle Diagnostics or Delphi Connect
• Samsung Galaxy Camera®
• Other connected devices

Here are your options for trading in a used mobile device to Verizon.

• Online: Visit the Trade-in page to start your trade-in online. If you already have a Verizon mobile account, sign in to My Verizon.
• My Verizon app: When you buy a new device using the My Verizon app you’ll have the option to trade-in a used device before checkout.
• Verizon store: Find a Verizon store near you.

To learn how to trade in and your old device, watch our Device Trade-in video and Guide to trading in your device.

Don't ship the charger, SD card, SIM card or other accessories with your device. No trade-in value will be provided for these items, and they won't be returned.

Unless you indicated during the appraisal process that the battery wouldn't be included, you'll need to include it. Follow the instructions included with your shipping materials to package your device and its battery.

If your device's battery is damaged, such as too hot to touch, swelling or leaking, remove the battery before shipping the device and don't send the battery. If the battery can't be removed, don't return the device because it won't be eligible for a gift card or account credit, and it won't be returned to you.

Visit our How to prep and ship page to learn how to back up your contacts and perform a factory reset. You'll also get an email with instructions after submitting your trade in.

If you chose to print your return label online, securely package your device using bubble wrap, or a similar packing material, then place it in a box so your trade-in safely reaches us.

If you received a trade-in recovery kit, place your device in the envelope and place the envelope in the box your new device was shipped in. Then, peel and stick the return label provided on the outside of the box. Keep the tracking number for your records.

Remove or cross out all old shipping labels if reusing a box to prevent carrier confusion.

Once you've packed your trade-in, bring your package to the carrier listed on the shipping label or contact them for pickup. To ensure proper delivery of your trade-in, we recommend that you do not place your package in a carrier drop box.

Find out how to get replacement shipping materials for your trade-in.

Once we receive your device:

1. You'll receive an email confirmation once we receive your device(s).
2. The device(s) will be appraised within 3-5 days, and you'll receive an email with the final appraised value.
3. You'll receive credit for your device(s) in one of the following ways:
   • Account credits are applied within 1-2 bill cycles
   • Electronic Verizon Gift Card is delivered within 2 weeks of receiving your device to the email address provided during the online submission
   • PayPal account credit is delivered within 2 weeks of receiving your device

Note: Our first priority is to renew and reuse the device. When devices can't be renewed and must be recycled, we adhere to a zero-landfill policy to keep e-waste out of landfills.

You can check the status of your trade-in submission online at any time. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

Your submission ID is a unique identifier that you can use to track your trade-in submission. You can track your trade-in submission at our Trade-in resource center.

You can find it in the confirmation email you received after you completed the form online. The email also contains important information about how to ship your device.

If you don't see the email, please check your spam folders. We'll send all notifications about your device trade-in request to the email provided.

When you trade in your device to Verizon the credit options are account credit, instant credit, Verizon Gift card or a PayPal credit. Some credit options are available to qualified Verizon customers only.

Note: Account credit, Verizon Gift Card and PayPal credits are processed after we've received and appraised your trade-in. Appraisal takes 3-5 days. We send you an email letting you know the final appraised value.

With Instant Credit, there's no need to wait until we receive your device to redeem your credit. Your instant credit is available right away to apply towards your order. Instant credit is available for existing Verizon customers who upgrade or add a new line.

When you upgrade or add a new line you'll be given the option to trade in your device. Once you provide details about your trade-in device, if you're eligible for instant credit, your credit amount will display. You can apply the credit towards your order for instant savings.

If we don't receive your trade-in device for which you received instant credit during your transaction within 30 days, you'll see a chargeback on your next bill for the instant credit given.

If we receive your device after 30 days, you'll still see the chargeback on your bill; however, within 1 to 2 bill cycles your instant credit value will be reapplied as a one-time account credit.

If you're eligible for instant credit, you can apply the credit to your online order. If you mail in your device for appraisal and are not receiving instant credit you'll have to wait for your account credit or electronic gift card to use it on an order.

You can use your instant credit:

• Towards the purchase of a new device or your optional down payment
• To purchase accessories

Any remaining instant credit will be applied to your Verizon account.

You can use your (non-instant) trade-in credit towards any Verizon services and device/accessory purchases.

Gift cards can't be used to:

• Replenish a prepaid account
• Pay charges towards ONE-BILL®, Qwest® and CenturyLink® accounts
• Purchase items at an authorized retailer

If the device you're trading in is not in the expected condition when we receive it, we'll adjust the instant credit amount you applied to your items.

If the appraised device is in:

• Worse condition than expected, you'll see a chargeback to your account for the difference in value you were quoted.
• Better condition than expected, we'll issue an account credit for the difference.

You can try to:

• Re-submit your request to trade in your device
• Visit a Verizon store to trade in your device

The email should explain the reason for the lesser value, such as the condition of the device was different than originally stated in the submission, we received a different device than expected, or the activation lock is turned on (e.g., Find my iPhone®).

We inspect the device you send to ensure it matches the information you submitted. If it doesn't match the description or was submitted after 30 days you may receive less value than originally indicated.

If you claimed a trade-in promotion for a device that is not eligible, we’ll give you the trade-in value of the device, excluding the promotion.

To learn more, visit our Terms & Conditions for trading in a used mobile device to Verizon.

You can re-order shipping materials at any time from our website. If you originally printed a label, you’ll be able to reprint that label. If you received a trade-in recovery kit, you’ll be able to re-order a new kit.

You'll need your submission ID you received or email address you provided when you submitted your device trade-in request. What is the submission ID for my traded device and where can I find it?

If you no longer want to trade in your device, contact us and request that your trade-in be cancelled.