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Phone Or Tablet Trade-In

On This Page

  • General Trade-In
  • What Devices are Expected?
  • Understanding Your Trade-In Value
  • Preparing Your Phone for Trade-In

General Trade-In

  • Your old phone may still hold value. Trade it in and apply any value to a new phone. There are two ways to get rewarded when you trade in:
    • You can get a credit on your UScellular® account for an old phone.
    • You can fulfill a new phone promotional requirement.
    A few simple steps online will get you started towards account credit. Or visit us in-store to get an appraisal of your phone's value, which you can use that day. You can use the value toward a new phone, accessories or to lower your bill.
  • You have options. Choose the trade-in process that works best for you. Trade-in at a UScellular store or use our online trade-in process.
    • In-store, we’ll calculate an estimated value of your phone and complete the trade in process on-site.
    • When you choose our online option, we’ll calculate the value of your phone and send you a prepaid shipping kit with detailed instructions at $0 cost to you.
  • New and current UScellular customers are eligible. New customers can get a quote for their trade-in value; then, must purchase and activate a qualifying device.

WHAT PHONES ARE ACCEPTED?

  • Only smartphones are eligible for trade-in. Connected devices, including tablets and watches, are not eligible.
  • Yes, we accept smartphones from all major wireless carriers.
  • We understand life happens and most phones are not in perfect condition. Phones with normal wear and tear - even scratched, dented or damaged phones - may still have some value.

    We also accept phones estimated to have no trade-in value. You can still sustainably recycle your old phone at a UScellular store. The environment will thank you.

Understanding Your Trade-In Value

  • When you visit a UScellular store, we’ll calculate an estimated value of your phone, and we’ll help you complete the trade-in process on-site.

    When using our online trade-in process, you'll enter some info about your phone and we’ll calculate the estimated value. We'll then send you a prepaid shipping kit with detailed instructions for phone shipment at $0 cost to you. Hyla, a UScellular Trade-In Program partner, will verify the model, assess the condition of the phone and determine your final trade-in value. In the unlikely event of a discrepancy, you’ll be notified by email of the updated trade-in value that will be applied to your bill.
  • When you visit a UScellular store, we’ll calculate an estimated value of your phone and you can use that value instantly.

    When using our online trade-in process, we’ll calculate the estimated value of your phone and you'll need to mail in your phone before receiving it. We'll send you a prepaid shipping kit with detailed instructions at $0 cost to you. Once we get your mailed phone, it usually takes 2-3 billing cycles for the trade-in value to appear as a credit on your bill. If you are still waiting for your credit or have any questions, we're here for you. Contact us anytime.
  • To receive full trade-in value, the phone must be in good working condition. The value of any phone is subject to change based on current market demand and the overall condition of the phone.
  • Not all phones will have trade-in value. Phones appraised at $0 can still be sustainably recycled at a UScellular store.

Preparing your Phone for Trade-in

  • Before mailing your phone in for a trade, make sure to:
    • Save your content (texts, pictures, contacts, etc.) to a computer, the cloud or an external hard drive.
    • Delete all personal information on your phone.
    • Remove any memory or SIM cards.
    • Remove all passcodes, screen locks and activation locks (ex: Find My iPhone).

    Note: Locked/passcode protected phones will result in a trade in value of $0.

  • No, just send the phone only. No need to send the charging plug, cable or any other accessories that originally came with the phone.
  • Yes, the package must be postmarked (mailed) within 30 days of the date you received your appraisal value. Going past 30 days may affect your phones appraised value.
  • Yes, up to 5 phones may be processed during the same transaction.
  • No. Once you've sent your phone to the trade-in program either at a store or by mail, the phone will not be returned for any reason. It’s important to transfer any personal data to a new phone, and then delete all personal information from the trade-in phone before mailing it in.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

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