AT&T Trade-in program

Tips and tricks for a successful trade in

Thinking of getting a new device from AT&T? Don’t leave money on the table. With the AT&T Trade-in program, you can turn your old device into a discount on a new device.  

In this easy-to-understand article, you’ll learn what your old device is worth, some tips & tricks to keep in mind to get the maximum value for your trade-in, and how to remove your sensitive personal information from your old device before trading it in to AT&T. 

Info at a glance

How does the AT&T Trade-in program work?

Trading in your old device with AT&T is a great way to get the most bang for your buck. The AT&T Trade-in program helps new and existing customers save money when upgrading to a new device. The AT&T Trade-in program allows you to trade in qualifying cell phones to receive credit for the cell phone's value, or you may be eligible for promotional bill credits as part of an AT&T device offer.  

Here’s an overview of how the AT&T Trade-in program works and what you can expect: 

  1. Learn what your device is worth 
    Select your device model and answer a few questions to receive your trade-in quote. 
     
  2. Mail in your old device 
    AT&T will send you a prepaid shipping envelope so you can send in the device you’re trading in.  
     
  3. Get an AT&T device offer or promotional card 
    If your old device has trade-in value, you’ll receive either monthly bill credits applied directly to your AT&T Wireless bill, or, an AT&T Promotion Card by mail. You can use the Promotion Card towards accessories or to make a bill payment both online and at your local AT&T store.   

Learn more about how the AT&T trade-in program works with these frequently asked questions  

How much is my trade-in worth? 

You can quickly and easily learn how much your old device is worth before trading it in.  
Step 1: Start by visiting AT&T’s trade-in page.  
Step 2: Search for your phone model, answer a few questions about its condition 
Step 3: Enter your phone’s IMEI or serial number, and AT&T will show you what your device is worth if you trade it in.  

If you like the trade-in offer, simply finish the process of purchasing your new phone and follow the instructions to trade in your old device. Once AT&T receives your old phone and verifies its condition, you will get an AT&T Promotion Card credited with your phone’s value or the value of your device offer as a bill credit. 

Can I trade in a T-Mobile or Verizon phone to AT&T? 

Absolutely, you can trade in a phone from another carrier to AT&T, including T-Mobile and Verizon. However, here are a few things to keep in mind. If you’re on an installment plan with your old carrier, you’ll first need to pay off the device before trading it into AT&T. Otherwise, your old carrier may bill you for what you owe for the device. You’ll also want to double-check that the device you’re trading in is still worth something. Check your device trade-in value 

How will AT&T pay me for my trade-in device? 

To get paid for your AT&T trade-in, you’ll need to mail in your old device within 30 days of the day you accept the trade-in value offered. Once AT&T receives your phone and verifies its condition, you’ll receive either monthly bill credits applied directly to your AT&T Wireless bill, or an AT&T Promotion Card by mail.  

  • If you’ve met all your trade-in requirements and are eligible for bill credits, you should see them on your AT&T Wireless bill within 1 - 3 billing cycles after AT&T receives your old device.  
  • If your trade-in isn’t eligible for a promotional device offer, you’ll receive an AT&T Promotion Card by mail. You can use the AT&T Promotion Card towards AT&T products or services or to make a wireless bill payment both online and at your local AT&T store. 

Important:  

You have to ship your old device within 30 days of the day you accept the trade-in value offered. If you fail to send your device within this time, it may result in a reduced value for your device. 

If you have questions, you can contact AT&T for live or online assistance help. You can also get answers to frequently asked questions. 

What is my iPhone worth as a trade-in?

Find out what your old iPhone is worth if you decide to trade it in to AT&T. Start by visiting AT&T’s trade-in page. Then, search for your specific iPhone model and storage size. Answer a few questions about its condition, along with your phone’s IMEI or serial number, and AT&T will show you what your iPhone is valued at trade-in. 

Is it better to trade in my phone or keep it? 

Well, it depends. If you trade in your old device directly to AT&T, you’ll quickly know what it’s worth by doing an estimate online and then simply mailing in the device you’re trading in.  

It’s also worth thinking about what other uses you may have for your old device if you don’t trade it in. Will you throw it away? Will you give it to a family member so they can bring their own device in the future? Another option you may consider is to sell the device on your own to a private buyer, but this requires the hassle of finding a buyer, shipping it to them, and figuring out how to get paid.  

Can you trade in a cracked cell phone? 

If your device is damaged, you may still be able to trade it in to AT&T. However, a cracked screen or broken phone will decrease its value and impact how much you receive for your trade-in.  

Keep in mind that once AT&T receives your device and inspects it, it’s possible AT&T will determine your phone is in worse condition than you mentioned in the trade-in questionnaire. In that case, you’ll receive a lower revised offer. In some cases, a broken phone could disqualify you from promotional offers altogether, so it’s always best to evaluate your phone carefully from the beginning to avoid surprises. 

Why aren't my AT&T trade-in credits showing up?

If you’ve met all your trade-in requirements and are eligible for bill credits, you should see them on your AT&T Wireless bill within 1 - 3 billing cycles after AT&T receives your old device.  

If your trade-in isn’t eligible for a promotional device offer, you’ll receive an AT&T Promotion Card by mail. You can use the AT&T Promotion Card towards AT&T products or services or to make a wireless bill payment both online and at your local AT&T store.

How can I check if my trade-in device was received? 

After you have mailed in your old trade-in device, you can keep an eye on the status by entering your email address and confirmation number on AT&T’s dedicated webpage.  

How can I reach AT&T customer service about my trade-in? 

Please contact us if you have any questions about trading in your old device to AT&T. You can also swing by your local AT&T store or use these resources:  

  1. Check frequently asked questions 
     
  2. Check the status of a submitted trade-in 
     
  3. Chat with an online agent 7 days a week from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST 
     
  4. Call AT&T 1.888.445.6005 Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST, or Saturday - Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST 
     
  5. Lost your trade-in shipping kit?  
    If you need a replacement kit, you can request one by filling out the form at the bottom of AT&T’s dedicated page.  

Four steps to take before trading in your old cell phone

Before trading in your old phone, make sure you remove your personal information. This won’t only protect your sensitive info but also serve as a key step of your trade-in process to get the full value of your trade-in. 

Your phone has a lot of personal information stored in its memory, including photos, contacts, email, text messages, and more. When you’re ready to get a new phone, follow these steps to help you protect your personal information when turning in your old device. 

  1. Back up the information: Move the items you want to keep or will want to transfer to your new phone to a computer or the cloud. That way, you won’t have to worry about losing files in the phone transfer. 
     
  2. Wipe the phone memory: All phones, regardless of the make and settings, have instructions to “factory reset” to the maker’s original settings. Following those instructions should allow you to clear nearly all the data in your phone’s memory. 
     
  3. Remove the SIM or SD card: Take out the card and don’t turn it in when you turn in the phone.  
     
  4. Double-check: Go back and check again you removed all contacts, downloads, texts, emails, photos, and other folders and files. Make sure one last time that all your data is gone and that you’re not leaving any personal information on the phone. 

Learn more about why it’s important to follow these steps in the AT&T Cyber Aware blog  

 

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