In today’s digital age, making money from your phone is easier than ever.
With a variety of apps and online platforms, you can earn extra income by completing tasks, taking surveys, selling items, and much more—all from the convenience of your smartphone.
Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a way to make some quick cash, this guide will show you some of the best ways to make money from your phone.
1. Take Paid Surveys
Paid survey apps are a popular way to earn a little extra cash by sharing your opinions.
Many companies pay for customer feedback, and survey apps make it easy to participate right from your phone.
How to Get Started with Paid Surveys:
- Sign Up for Survey Apps: Try platforms like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and InboxDollars, where you can earn points or cash for completing surveys.
- Set Aside Time Daily: Surveys typically take a few minutes each, so try to complete a few surveys daily to maximize your earnings.
- Redeem Rewards: Most survey apps offer payment via PayPal or gift cards, so you can choose how you’d like to cash out.
2. Use Cash-Back and Rewards Apps
Cash-back and rewards apps let you earn money or points on everyday purchases.
Simply shop through the app or scan receipts, and you can receive cash back on groceries, clothing, electronics, and more.
Best Cash-Back Apps:
- Rakuten: Shop through Rakuten and earn cash back from a wide range of retailers. Rakuten also offers bonuses for referrals and special deals.
- Ibotta: Ibotta gives cash back on groceries, apparel, and other items. Just upload your receipts or link your store loyalty accounts.
- Dosh: Connect your credit or debit card to earn automatic cash back at participating restaurants and stores.
3. Sell Items Online
If you have unused items or things you no longer need, selling them through your phone is a quick and easy way to make money.
Many apps allow you to sell clothes, electronics, books, and more.
Popular Apps for Selling Items:
- eBay: Sell almost anything on eBay. You can list items in minutes, communicate with buyers, and manage transactions all through the app.
- Poshmark: Ideal for selling clothes, shoes, and accessories, Poshmark makes it easy to list fashion items and connect with buyers.
- Facebook Marketplace: Sell locally to people in your area with Facebook Marketplace. You can list items for sale and negotiate with buyers directly.
4. Participate in Gig Economy Apps
Gig apps connect you with short-term jobs that can be done on demand, such as delivering food, walking dogs, or running errands.
These jobs offer flexible schedules and can be done whenever you have free time.
Top Gig Apps to Try:
- Uber or Lyft: If you have a car, consider driving for Uber or Lyft to earn money on your own schedule.
- DoorDash or Uber Eats: Deliver food orders for local restaurants. You can earn tips and get paid for each delivery completed.
- TaskRabbit: Find tasks like furniture assembly, moving help, or cleaning services. Choose the jobs you’re interested in and get paid for each task.
5. Become a Freelancer
Freelancing lets you offer your skills remotely, and many freelance jobs can be done right from your phone.
Whether you’re good at writing, graphic design, or social media management, there are freelance opportunities available for a wide range of skills.
Best Apps for Freelancing:
- Fiverr: Fiverr lets you offer various services, like writing, graphic design, and video editing. Set your own rates and work on projects that fit your schedule.
- Upwork: Create a profile and apply for freelance jobs on Upwork. Many clients are open to working with freelancers remotely through their smartphones.
- Freelancer: Find project-based or hourly work, with options in a wide range of categories, including programming, design, and marketing.
6. Play Games for Money
If you enjoy playing games on your phone, you can actually get paid for it.
Many apps offer cash rewards, gift cards, or prizes for playing games, completing challenges, or participating in tournaments.
Apps That Pay You to Play:
- Mistplay: Earn points for playing mobile games, which you can redeem for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon.
- Lucktastic: Play scratch-off games for a chance to win cash prizes. Lucktastic is free to use, and you can earn entries into sweepstakes.
- HQ Trivia: Participate in live trivia games for a chance to win cash prizes. The app offers scheduled games where players can compete for the prize pool.
7. Rent Out Your Stuff
If you have items that aren’t in use, such as your car, camera equipment, or power tools, renting them out is an easy way to make passive income from your phone.
Apps for Renting Out Items:
- Turo: Rent out your car to people in your area when you’re not using it. Turo handles insurance and rental agreements, making it easy and secure.
- Fat Llama: List items like cameras, bikes, and musical instruments on Fat Llama, where people can rent them for a daily fee.
- Airbnb: If you have extra space, like a guest room or vacation property, rent it out on Airbnb. The app makes it easy to communicate with guests and manage bookings.
8. Take Photos and Sell Them
If you enjoy photography, you can earn money by selling your photos through stock photo apps.
These apps make it easy to upload photos and get paid each time your images are downloaded.
Apps for Selling Photos:
- Foap: Upload photos to Foap, where brands and individuals can purchase them for commercial use. You earn a commission for each sale.
- Shutterstock Contributor: Join Shutterstock’s contributor program and upload high-quality photos. You earn royalties every time someone downloads your photo.
- EyeEm: EyeEm connects photographers with brands looking for unique images. The app also has photo contests with cash prizes.
9. Complete Microtasks
Microtask apps pay you to complete small tasks like data entry, website testing, or transcription.
These tasks are typically quick and can be done anytime, making them a convenient way to earn extra cash.
Microtask Apps to Consider:
- Amazon Mechanical Turk: Earn money by completing simple tasks, such as categorizing images or transcribing audio. Payments are typically low, but tasks are quick and easy.
- Swagbucks: Besides surveys, Swagbucks offers other tasks like watching videos, testing products, and browsing websites for rewards.
- UserTesting: Get paid to test websites and apps. Share your feedback through short video recordings and receive payments for each test.
Making money from your phone is a convenient way to earn extra income without a big commitment.
Whether you prefer taking surveys, freelancing, or renting out items, there are plenty of options to fit your interests and lifestyle.
With these tips, you can start making money on your phone anytime, anywhere. All it takes is a little time and effort to turn your smartphone into a source of income.