9 Real Ways to Make Money From Your Phone
Do you know how many times you’ve picked up your phone so far today? What if the next time you picked it up, it wasn’t to text or doom scroll, but to make some extra money? It is possible, and we’re going to tell you how to make money from your phone.
Most of these are quick and easy ways to earn a few extra dollars, so they’re not meant to replace your full-time income. However, some of the side hustles on this list are more involved or are freelance gigs. So this list has something for everyone who’s looking for the best apps to make money.
Can You Actually Make Money With Your Phone?
Yes, but how much you make will depend on which side hustle you choose and how much time you can dedicate to it. All of them, however, are better for supplementing your full-time paycheck. You won’t necessarily be able to quit your day job. That’s why these side hustles tend to be popular with parents, students and gig economy workers.
You don’t have to fall into one of those categories to reap the rewards, however. You mostly need a phone with an internet connection, time to spend on these tasks and reasonable expectations.
How to Make Money from Your Phone: 9 Legit Ways
Here’s how to make money from your phone using these nine apps and websites.
1. Answer Surveys for Cash
This is definitely one of our favorite ways to make easy money. That’s because these are simple tasks that don’t take a lot of time. You just take short surveys as you have time for them. Why does that earn you money? Because you’re giving companies something that’s valuable to them — your opinion.
These are great for those who only have a few spare moments throughout the day. Some of our favorite survey sites that pay you money include:
2. Get Paid to Try Apps and Websites
Companies want to know if people will like their digital products, even before they launch. One way they do that is through user testing, and you could make money testing websites because of this.
Companies are looking for every day users like yourself to test their websites and apps for usability, bugs and feedback. Our favorite platforms for this are KaskKick and FreeCash.
3. Cash Back for Everyday Shopping
This is one of the easiest money makers there is, because you’re being rewarded for purchasing stuff you’d be buying anyway. Using a cash back credit card can earn you money back on food, streaming and travel purchases, plus much more. Just make sure you aren’t spending money unnecessarily in order to boost your cash back and you’re not spending what you can’t pay back. If a credit card isn’t an option, you can earn cash back through an app called Upside. Just download the free app and start earning cash back from your favorite retailers.
If you do a lot of online shopping, you also can use the Capital One Shopping browser extension and mobile app not only to find coupons and better deals, but also earn rewards that you can redeem for gift cards at major retailers. That’s definitely better than just shopping without the extra perks.
4. Sell Unused Items From Your Phone
You could be selling all that stuff you’re not using — and not just through a garage or yard sale. You can use sites like Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, ThredUp and more to sell books, clothing, shoes, jewelry and furniture. Check out our guide to selling used clothing and our guide to selling used books. Make sure your stuff looks as nice as possible (wash clothing, dust off books and furniture, etc.) and post pictures of it on secondhand sites. This could get you even more money if you know how to flip furniture and clothing to make it more trendy.
5. Earn With Gig Apps
Freelance marketplaces like TaskRabbit can help you find work doing tasks for people or companies who need you. This could be writing and editing or something like moving or handy work.
Another popular side gig is food delivery. You can deliver for DoorDash and Uber Eats and earn tips without having to drive a person around. These are great for people who work a traditional 9 to 5 and can drive on the evenings and weekends.
6. Turn Your Photos Into Cash
If you have basic photography skills, you can turn your photos into passive income through apps like Foap and Shutterstock Contributor. You can upload your photos and get paid as businesses use them. Both amateurs and professionals can benefit from using these apps.
7. Play Games for Cash
There are mobile apps, websites and online gaming platforms that reward players with actual cash or redeemable points for playing games. These real money games offer incentives such as cash payouts, gift cards, PayPal transfers or digital currency. Popular games include Solitaire Cash and Bingo Cash, but you can check out our full list of games that pay real money.
Users typically earn rewards by completing tasks, reaching milestones, winning tournaments or engaging with advertisements within the game. Although they won’t typically replace a full-time income, these games can provide a fun way to earn extra spending money during leisure time.
8. Freelance or Offer Digital Services
Apps like Fiverr and Upwork connect you with people in need of services that you can provide. If you’re skilled in writing, editing and other digital media services you can pitch ideas to clients and go from there. This is a side gig where having a few extra skills and a laptop can go a long way.
9. Rent Out Your Stuff
There’s much more you can rent out besides your home (in fact, we have a whole list of just that). You can use sites like Turo to rent out your car. There are people out there who want to rent your pool, driveway and even wedding decorations. Once you get established with a platform, you can let the passive income roll in.
Tips to Boost Your Mobile Earnings
Organization will be your best friend for these, because using more than one app and using them consistently is what will allow you to make the most money possible. Set aside time each day to use them, set goals for yourself and keep track of your efforts and payouts. That way you never miss an opportunity to cash in. And don’t forget to refer a friend for any apps that offer a referral bonus.
How Much Can You Realistically Make?
It depends on the task and how often you use the app. Survey sites and task apps tend to have a lower payout, like $1–$10/day. However, doing food delivery can get you up to $30/hour depending on demand. Freelancing and selling your stuff will also depend on demand. These varying favors are why we encourage you to see this as side hustle income, rather than full-time money.
What to Avoid: Red Flags and Scams
Not all apps are created equal. Watch out for these red flags as you try to make money on your phone:
- Apps asking for upfront payments
- Unrealistic income promises
- Poor app store ratings or missing company info
- Sites that don’t disclose how you’ll be paid
Who Should Consider These Mobile Income Ideas?
Anyone with a phone and internet connection can do these, but some of them require certain things or skills. For example, you can’t make money selling unused items if you don’t have anything to sell or deliver food if you don’t have transportation. It also would be harder to sell your photos without basic photography skills. These phone side hustles do, however, tend to appeal to people with flexible schedules, stay-at-home parents, students, people who are between jobs or in need of supplemental income or anyone who wants to monetize their downtime.
Final Thoughts: Turn Your Screen Time Into Side Income
Making money from your phone isn’t a myth — it just takes a smart approach. Don’t let your time on your phone turn into another way for you to waste time. While we still want you to have plenty of downtime to enjoy, with the right apps and consistency, you can turn extra idle time into earnings. Start with one or two methods that fit your routine, and build from there.
