For many individuals, a smartphone serves merely as a gateway to endless distractions, powered by an incessant stream of dopamine-inducing activities. However, for those with the right mindset and approach, a smartphone can unlock a myriad of income-generating opportunities.
Let’s set realistic expectations: most people won’t amass a fortune simply by using their phone. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible to earn money swiftly via smartphone apps and accessible side hustles.
That said, certain smartphone-enabled income sources can indeed become substantial. These often necessitate a considerable investment of time, effort, and perhaps money before they yield significant returns.
Let’s delve into various methods spanning the spectrum of earning potential.
1. Playing Video Games
You don’t need to be a top-tier player in games like Dota or Fortnite to earn money through gaming. For instance, you can monetize your daily gaming habits with an app called Mistplay (available on Android). Mistplay rewards gamers with time-accrued credits that can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers like Amazon, eBay, and Starbucks. The games available often rotate, but currently include titles like Super Mario Run, Pokémon Go, and Candy Crush Saga, among others.
For those willing to test their gaming skills, Solitaire Cash is a popular app available on iOS and Samsung devices. This app offers real cash prizes through competitive solitaire tournaments. Players can practice for free, earn daily rewards, and compete in cash tournaments where top scorers win based on their performance.
2. Selling Unwanted Items
We all have items cluttering our homes that we no longer need. Instead of letting them gather dust, why not turn them into cash? Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and various selling apps make this easy.
Here are a few examples from my own home:
- An unused surfboard: approximately $100
- An extra coffee table: around $50
- Older video games: $5 to $10 each
Personally, I’ve capitalized on this by buying and selling over $100,000 worth of Pokémon cards on sites like eBay and Mercari since the start of the pandemic.
3. Testing Apps
“Get paid to” websites have surged in popularity, particularly as more people look for side hustles. Among these, Freecash.com stands out for its higher earning potential and diverse range of activities. Users can profit by participating in surveys, testing apps, playing games, and even engaging in quizzes and trivia. Freecash.com also offers generous affiliate earnings, positioning it as a leader in this space, at least for now.
4. Completing Microtasks
Microtasks are small, internet-based projects that anyone can perform. These include tagging photos, transcribing audio, moderating content, and data entry. While the pay might be modest due to the simplicity of the tasks, they can offer a convenient way to earn extra money. Notable platforms for finding microtasks include:
- Amazon Mechanical Turk: known for its “human intelligence tasks”
- Clickworker: offers app testing, copy editing, and more
- InboxDollars: focuses on market research
5. Taking Paid Surveys
Instead of aimlessly scrolling through your phone, consider taking paid surveys in your spare time. Although it’s unlikely to make anyone rich, surveys can yield $5 to $20 or more per month by answering questions about various products and services.
The money for these surveys typically comes from businesses conducting market research. Our managing editor, Megan, earned $7.41 with Branded Surveys in just a few hours. While it won’t replace a full-time job, it can help cover small monthly expenses like utility bills.
6. Earning Money Through Texting
Though limited in scope and profitability, you can get paid to send and receive text messages through several services:
- McMoney: This app tests cell phone networks to ensure SMS messages are delivered correctly. By offering your number as a test number, you can earn a few dollars annually.
- Premium.Chat: If you have an existing fan base or client list, you can offer private, direct messaging or video calls to paying customers.
- 1Q: This app pays $0.25 per answer for simple questions.
- FlirtBucks: This platform allows users to earn money—sometimes up to $100 a day—by engaging in flirty conversations with others.
If the idea of texting appeals to you but you find phone use ergonomically challenging, you could transition to online typing jobs on your computer.
Through these diverse methods, your smartphone can become a powerful tool for generating additional income, provided you approach it with the right strategies and expectations.
