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A while back I started seeing a bunch of pins on Pinterest about making money from your phone.
Now, years ago it used to be that you could make money on long phone calls trying to sell encyclopedias.
But, thankfully with the mobile devices we have today, and with easy access to the internet from our phones, there are hundreds of ways to make real money with your cell phone.
Now, I’ve actually tried out a few of these methods which are both fun and interesting. But, they are also a great way to use your spare time to work on building a passive income.
You can make money from phone apps, with different marketing strategies, or simply selling products online through your phone.
Ways to Make Money From Your Phone
There are over a dozen ways to make money from your phone, a few of which include surveys.
Commonly, after completing enough surveys, you will be rewarded with free gift cards.
These gift cards vary from hundreds of choices, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and even a Visa Mastercard, which can be used almost anywhere. While having a little extra money on hand is nice, completing online surveys is not going to make you rich by any means.
However, it is a fun way to earn money on your lunch break. So why not get paid to play games on your phone, or simply by answering a few questions?
Related: 30 Proven, Realistic & Legit Ways to Make $1000 a Day in 2025
Making Money with Surveys
Survey apps are the easiest method to complete surveys on your phone. They make logging in and navigating the surveys much simpler.
You can download the smartphone app from the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store, depending on your device type.
Survey Junkie
One of the most popular, or at least well-known, survey platforms to start with, is Survey Junkie.
Survey Junkie is an easy way to make money from your phone by simply taking surveys and answering questions about products and services.
You can sign up for free and start earning points for each survey completed, which can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.
It’s a straightforward method to earn extra income during your downtime, making it a perfect option for those looking to monetize their free time while on the go.
Long commutes can be a great opportunity to answer questions on longer surveys, so you don’t have to set aside additional time to finish them.
Related: 31 Proven Ways to Make Money With a Laptop in 2025
Swagbucks
After you set up an account, you can start a survey and answer questions in a brief screening before proceeding to the remainder of the survey. Not all surveys will be suited to you, so unfortunately you may not be able to benefit from those.
But, as a whole, you will be able to complete about 90% of the surveys you have access to.
If you join today you can earn a $10 bonus when you join today.
Plus, you can even play games and get reward points that add up to actual cash.
Yes! Some games pay you to play.
These Swagbucks rewards can later be traded in for gift cards, once you reach a minimum of $15.
User Interviews
User Interviews is one of the highest-paying survey sites you’ll find. Often they will pay you anywhere from $1 a minute to as much as $5 a minute, depending on the type of interview you complete.
The reason these “surveys” pay a bit more is because they are more of an “interview” style where you will answer a series of questions for as little as 10 minutes or more. Sometimes, the lengthier studies can even last months, where you will occasionally check in. I have seen some of these pay as much as $900 or more.
The downside to these interviews is, that while they pay more, you are not always going to be a good fit for every study. So, you may have to go through several different screenings before finding a study for which you are a good applicant.
Fortunately, though, they pay much better and are definitely worth the little extra effort.
User Interviews are based on many companies and businesses in need of user feedback to help improve products or services. So, they are willing to pay a bit more because they require a bit more of your time.
Make Money While You Shop
Making money while you spend money seems a bit contradictory. And while you can get ‘cash back’, in most cases you are saving money with discounts and coupons.
But, if saving money while shopping online means you can get rewards points, then it can 100% be worth it. Especially if you’re already buying some of the things you need. Kohl’s is a great example of this, where you can get Kohl’s cash for being a loyal shopper.
Related: 60 Ways to Save More Money in 2025
Online Shopping
Online shopping can be more than just a way to buy products. It can also be a source of income.
Many cashback and rewards apps allow you to earn money or points on purchases made through your phone. By using these platforms when you shop, you can receive a percentage back on your spending.
Additionally, you can sell items you no longer need through online marketplaces, turning unused items into cash while shopping smart.
Here are some other great ideas to make money from your phone 👇
Side Hustle Ideas from Your Phone
There are dozens of side hustles that you can do to earn money from your phone. But, did you know that there are also ways to make a full-time income from your phone?
It’s true. And, some of these money-making strategies even offer ways to make passive income. Which means you get paid, even while you sleep.
Related: 23 Reliable Ways to Make $300 or More a Day
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is an effective way to make money from your phone, potentially leading to a full-time income. Plus, affiliate marketing is one of the most passive income strategies you can use to make money fast and effectively.
By promoting products or services through various channels like social media or blogs, you can earn commissions on sales generated through your unique links or codes.
Many companies offer affiliate programs that provide you with tools to track your performance. This model allows you to earn passive income as you share the products and services you love with your audience.
While it’s really easy to get started, it does require a fair amount of strategy, so I suggest taking a course from an experienced marketer like Michelle, who’s made over $500,000 from a single product.
You can take her course Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing to start your journey. Or, you can get her free ebook Affiliate Marketing Tips for Bloggers to learn more.
Online Courses
Creating and selling online courses is a lucrative way to make money from your phone. Many online platforms, like Udemy, Teachable, or my personal favorite Thrivecart, allow you to design courses on subjects you’re passionate about.
With easy-to-use tools for video editing and course management, you can reach a global audience.
Once your course is live, you can earn passive income as students enroll, making it a great way to share your expertise and generate revenue.
If you’re interested in creating your own online course, Thrivecart offers one of the best payment options so you can save money and focus on making profit. This is the platform I’ve been using for the past couple years, and I love it.
Related: How to Make 6-Figures Selling Online Courses (2025 Guide)
Uber Eats, Instacart, Doordash, or Grubhub
Working with Uber Eats is an excellent way to make money from your phone while enjoying the flexibility of your schedule. While you technically need a vehicle to try this money making strategy, your phone is required to get new orders.
As a delivery driver, you can accept orders, navigate routes, and manage deliveries all through the Uber Eats app. You can also double up on food delivery apps like Doordash and Grubhub.
Another option for side hustles from your phone includes Instacart, which can earn a bit more.
This gig economy opportunity allows you to earn money on your own terms, whether you work part-time or full-time. Plus, you can boost your earnings by delivering during peak hours and special events.
YouTube Channel
Becoming a content creator on YouTube is a popular way to make money from your phone. Often times content creators even create YouTube content to supplement the other content they create.
With just a smartphone, you can film, edit, and upload videos on topics you’re passionate about. By building a loyal audience, you can earn through ads, sponsorships, merchandise, and affiliate marketing.
Canva is great for editing your content.
Whether you focus on vlogs, tutorials, or reviews, YouTube provides endless opportunities for content creators to monetize their creativity.
The best tip I can give you is to just get started. Ever YouTuber ever, starts off, and they are terrible. So don’t feel like perfection is a requirement for success.
Just get started!
Video Games
You can make money with video games by streaming your gameplay on platforms like Twitch.
If you’re wondering how to make money on Twitch, it’s through donations, subscriptions, sponsorships, affiliate income, and more.
It’s estimated that 100 average viewers per stream can make around $1,000 per month. This of course varies on how you decide to monetize, and how often you stream.
Consistent streaming and building a loyal audience can turn your hobby into a source of income. Whether you play popular games or niche titles, mobile games offer an accessible way to engage with viewers and start earning from your passion.
Related: Best Budget Laptop for Streaming: Gaming, Editing, & Movies
Social Media Management
Becoming a Social Media Manager is a great way to earn money from your phone.
Many businesses need help managing their social media accounts, including content creation, scheduling posts, and engaging with followers.
With skills in graphic design and an understanding of trends, you can create visually appealing content, respond to comments, schedule posts, and network with other creators.
Conducting market research helps you tailor strategies to boost engagement and growth for clients. It’s a flexible way to turn social media skills into income.
One of the more popular social media managing positions that I’ve seen are Pinterest managers, which requires some knowledge and strategy. But, they also can pay a bit more than other social media managers.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to have success on Pinterest, I recommend taking a look at Pinterest Strategies.
Sell Products Online
Selling products through online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy (get 40 free listings), or your own Shopify store is a popular way to make cash on your phone.
You can create an online store, list items, and manage orders without leaving your home.
Before starting, it’s important to conduct market research to understand what sells best on these platforms. And, to make sure you are creating product your audience actually will buy.
Whether you’re offering handmade crafts, vintage finds, or dropshipping, online marketplaces provide easy access to a wide range of potential customers.
Related: How to Start an Amazon FBA Business (2025 Guide)
Open an Etsy Shop
Opening an Etsy shop is a great way to make money with your phone if you enjoy crafting or creating unique items. Even selling digital printable or products is perfect on this platform.
Etsy is one of the most popular online platforms for selling handmade or vintage goods. You can manage your shop, list products, and track sales all from your mobile device.
While platforms like a Shopify store offer more customization, Etsy’s built-in audience makes it easy to get started and reach potential buyers quickly.
You can open a Shopify Store to start selling your own products from your phone.
Facebook Marketplace
Selling unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace is a quick and easy way to make money from your phone.
Whether it’s clothes, furniture, or electronics, you can list items directly through the Facebook app. Simply upload pictures, add a description, and set your price.
You can connect with local buyers, making it convenient to sell and get rid of some old junk while earning extra cash from home.
However, it is important to always make sure you are being safe when meeting someone to sell things online. Never give out personal info that is not absolutely necessary.
If possible, meet in a public location, and always communicate only through the app.
Graphic Designing
If you’re skilled in graphic design, you can easily make money from your phone using a mobile app like Canva or Adobe Spark.
These mobile tools allow you to create professional logos, social media graphics, or marketing materials directly from your device.
Freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork provide opportunities to connect with clients in need of design work, allowing you to turn your creativity into a source of income.
These creations can include logos, business card designs, and more. You can even use your eye for design to create great-looking printables to sell on platforms like Etsy.
Stock Photos
If you have a knack for photography, selling stock photos is a great way to make money from your phone. You don’t actually need a high-end camera, especially if you have a newer phone.
Numerous platforms like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock allow you to upload photos directly from your device. High-quality images of everyday scenes, objects, or landscapes are always in demand.
My favorite platform is Deposit photos, which makes it easy to upload, edit, and share photos.
By building a portfolio and submitting your work to these sites, you can earn passive income every time someone downloads your photo.
It’s a simple, creative way to monetize your skills without needing professional equipment.
Stock Investing
Trading stocks can actually be one of the most lucrative ways to make money on your phone.
One way to get started is by opening an investment account directly on your phone. Many investment apps, like SoFi, allow you to easily buy and sell stocks, monitor your portfolio, and track market trends in real time.
With SoFi, you can even schedule, or automate new investments to purchase when the stock market opens again the next day.
Once you’ve linked your bank account, you can seamlessly transfer funds, invest in stocks, and start building wealth.
You can use the SoFi investment app, and get started today.
Related: How Often Should I Invest in Stocks (5 high-yield dividends)
Final Thoughts on How to Make Money From Your Phone
Not all methods of making money from your phone are for everyone. And, not all methods pay the same, by any means. But, making some extra cash in your spare time simply from your phone is pretty rewarding.
Taking surveys is not always the most lucrative option, but they are pretty low commitment. However, other methods like affiliate marketing can be one of the best ways to make passive income, so the time you put in is more of an investment than trading time for money.
But, regardless of your reasons for wanting to make a little extra cash, there are many options available to make some good money in your free time.
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These are really great suggestions and I will try them out. Thank you for sharing.
My favorite is affiliate marketing!
Love all of these – definitely some new inspiration. thanks so much for sharing!!
I’m so glad you’re inspired!