What Charities Take Old Mobile Phones in 2023? [UK Edition]

With the majority of Brits buying a new smartphone every two years, there are bound to be a lot of unused devices gathering dust in drawers or cupboards. Donating your phone can be a great way to declutter your home and help someone in need at the same time. 

So what charities take old mobile phones in the UK, and what should you do before you give away your old device?

Where Can You Donate Your Old Phone?

Here is a list of seven charities and organisations in the UK that will take your old mobile.

1. Little Lives UK

Little Lives UK is a children’s charity that works mainly with disabled and disadvantaged children. As part of its Technology Programme, this organisation accepts old mobile phones and tablets and sends them to schools, youth clubs, councils, and refugee centres. 

The ultimate goal is to give young people access to electronics and thus help improve their education and career prospects. 

They were also named Big Issue Change Maker of 2023.

How to donate: If you live in London, the charity can collect your old electronic devices. Alternatively, you could send your old phone via Royal Mail. 

2. Oxfam

Oxfam, the biggest and best-known charity organisation in the UK, also accepts old working and non-functioning mobiles.

If the phone is in good working condition, Oxfam will refurbish, repackage it and sell it in one of their many shops across the country.  Non-working mobiles will be sent to Oxfam’s environmentally-friendly partner CTR, which will recycle old mobile phones and repurpose their parts. 

How to donate: You can donate old phones in your nearest Oxfam shop or make an online donation via Fonebank. 

3. WaterAid

WaterAid is an international charity organisation working to provide people with essential needs, such as access to clean water and sanitation. It was launched in 1981 and is now present in more than 30 countries across the globe. 

The charity takes old phones that they can resell for an average of £5—enough to make a huge difference to people in need. 

How to donate: You can donate online through Fonebank or have the donation collected at your workplace or school.

4. Vodafone UK

The Great British Tech Appeal programme, launched by Vodafone and their charity partner Barnardo’s, ensures that disadvantaged people have the devices they need to contact their families, friends and healthcare professionals. 

When you donate your old phone or tablet, Vodafone will clean it, repackage it and gift it to someone. The company will also throw in free calls, data and texts for the first six months. 

How to donate: Those interested can take their old tech to any Vodafone store or send it by post. If you are donating more than ten pieces of tech, the company will collect the donation from your home.

5. Three

Three runs a similar programme to Vodafone. Namely, they accept old phones through their Reconnected scheme and give them to disadvantaged people all over the country. They can then use the phone, and the free six months of calls and data, to find work or get the support they need. 

How to donate: To get started, complete an online form on the site, and the company will send you a prepaid pack. Put your phone in the pack and send it back by post at no charge to you. 

6. Hubbub 02

Virgin Media 02 is tackling e-waste as well as digital exclusion in the UK through their partnership with Hubbub, a London-based environmental behaviour change charity. 

Once you donate your old phone, the organisation will clean it and gift it to someone who needs it, together with 90 days of free calls, data and texts by Virgin Media O2. So far, this partnership has redistributed more than 13,000 smartphones. 

How to donate: You can post your old phone to Hubbub.

7. The British Heart Foundation

This charity organisation does not have a dedicated tech program but accepts donations, including phones and other electronics. The collected items are sold in their stores nationwide, while the sale proceeds fund the charity’s research into heart conditions and diseases.

How to donate: You can post your item, collect it from your home (for free) or place it at one of the donation drop points near you. 

Thinking of buying a new phone but can’t decide between 4G and 5G. Here is a quick guide that could help you out!

Where Can You Trade In Your Phone?

If you don’t want to give away your old mobile phones for charity, you can always trade them in with one of the many phone recycling organisations in the UK—they will either resell them or repurpose their parts.

Here is a brief list of some of the companies that will give you cash for your old phone.  

Tesco Mobile

You can trade your phone for cash or a Tesco voucher through the company’s partner Assurant, no matter the condition.

Envirofone

Envirofone is one of the best places in the UK to buy refurbished phones. The company accepts working and nonworking models—the former are resold, while the latter are recycled. 

EE

EE, the biggest mobile operator in the country, pledges to recycle or rehome your old phone, saving you around £170. 

Currys

Trade in your old phone, laptop or tablet with the UK’s biggest electrical retailer and get paid instantly. 

O2 Recycle

This scheme is an effortless way to recycle old mobile phones and get cash in return. The money is paid directly into your bank account or credited to your phone bill (if you are an O2 customer). 

CeX

CeX, Britain’s leading electronic marketplace, lets you swap or sell old phones as well as other gadgets and items in exchange for vouchers or cash.

Mazuma Mobile

Mazuma is one of the oldest and biggest phone recycling firms in the UK that boasts a reputable phone trade-in service. 

Fonebank

Fonebank is another popular recycling company where individuals can sell their old mobile phones for charity. It accepts both working and non-working models, so you are sure to find a great deal. 

How To Dispose Mobile Phones Securely in the UK?  

Most charities and organisations in the UK will request that you perform a factory reset on your device to remove all data, including installed apps, before giving it away. This safety precaution will stop your personal information, PINs and passwords from falling into the wrong hands. 

The procedure is very quick, and if you’ve already backed up everything before changing the SIM card, it can be done in a few minutes.

Here’s how you can do a factory reset on your phone:

On iOS Devices:

1. Go to Settings⇒General;
2. Tap on Transfer or Reset;
3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

On Android Devices:

1. Go to the Settings⇒Back Up and Reset;
2. Tap on Factory data reset⇒Tap Reset Device;
3.  Tap Erase Everything.

What Else Can You Do With an Old Mobile Phone?

Old phones, just like old LCD TVs can be repurposed and used for a few more years. 

Here are a few ideas to get you inspired:

• Use it as a GPS in your car;
• Set it up as a control pane for your smart-home; 
• Use it as a music player;
• Place it near your bed and use it as an alarm clock or download a ‘white noise’ app to help you sleep;
• Use it as a security camera or baby monitor.

These are all simple to do and, in most cases, require nothing more than downloading an app. You will be putting your phone to good use, and once it no longer serves the purpose, you can still donate it to charity.

Conclusion

Have no idea what to do with old phones?

You’re in luck, since In 2023, numerous UK charities are actively seeking old mobile phones, turning electronic waste into impactful support for worthy causes. By donating, not only can individuals reduce environmental impact, but they also contribute meaningfully to societal betterment. Consider giving your old device a purposeful afterlife with these charities.