The smartphone in your pocket isn’t just for communication – it’s a potential money-making machine. No matter your skills or experience, learning how to make money from your phone is easier than ever.
With some creativity and the right app, various opportunities are waiting – whether you want to monetize your designs, connect with others, or simply fill your spare time.
Key takeaways
- With just your phone, tap into income-generating opportunities like starting a print-on-demand (POD) store, completing paid surveys, freelancing, and investing.
- POD and affiliate marketing offer potential for a long-term, scalable income stream, while tasks like user testing and watching videos can provide quick, smaller rewards.
- Selling second-hand goods is a practical way to turn unused items or hobby gear into extra cash.
- For those with expertise, teaching online, selling high-quality images or videos, and content creation provide flexible income, with the potential to grow into a full-time gig.
- From cashback and survey apps to stock trading platforms, using mobile apps effectively can diversify earning methods, helping you manage, invest, and save money directly from your phone.
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How to make money from your phone
Learning how to make money with your phone opens up countless possibilities, whether you’re looking to start a side hustle or earn a full-time income from the palm of your hand.
Let’s check out some popular methods.
1. Start a print-on-demand store
Feeling creative? Turn your designs into cash with a print-on-demand online store.
Printify empowers small business owners to sell unique products – print your own mugs, t-shirts, customized phone cases, and more – without the hassle of inventory or shipping and with zero upfront investment.
Want to see how Printify compares to other players in the industry? Check out this article on Gelato vs Printify to learn how we can help you start or scale your business worldwide.
Explore how to start a print-on-demand business on our blog.
Create your designs, set your profit margins, and watch the sales roll in on your phone.
2. Become an affiliate marketer
Want to promote products you use and love? Affiliate marketing lets you do just that and earn a commission for every sale generated through your referral link. Like those “Amazon must-haves” videos on Instagram.
It’s one of the most popular ways to make money on your phone, especially if you have a strong social media presence or a blog.
Sign up for Printify’s Affiliate Program and share your unique referral link with friends, family, or on social media. Benefit from 5% commissions, monthly payouts, and no earnings cap.
Find more tips on how to make money without a job.
3. Complete paid surveys
Companies always need consumer feedback, and you can get paid to answer questions.
Popular survey apps and websites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Toluna, and User Interviews offer rewards for completing consumer surveys.
While earnings are modest, answering survey questions offers a convenient way to earn cash while helping companies improve the online shopping experience for others.
4. Playing video games
Believe it or not, some companies pay users for playing or completing specific tasks.
Play games, collect in-game rewards, and redeem them for cash or gift cards. Similarly, platforms like Swagbucks award redeemable points for playing specific games.
If you want to make more money beyond your phone, stream your gameplay on platforms like Twitch and YouTube and earn money through ads, donations, and sponsorships.
Uploading walkthrough videos of popular games can increase your YouTube channel traffic for better monetization opportunities.
Playing games is a fun way to make some extra cash, but always research the legitimacy of apps before investing your time.
5. Sell unused items
Do you have a closet full of clothes you don’t wear or unused gadgets lying around? Declutter your life and sell things you no longer need to earn cash.
Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and Mercari are popular options that make selling clothes, gadgets, and other second-hand items easy.
6. Watch videos
Make money by watching videos on online platforms like Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars.
These sites offer points or cash for watching advertisements, trailers, and other types of video content. It’s a simple way to earn money during your downtime.
7. Engage in user testing
Help companies improve their websites and smartphone apps by participating in remote testing sessions.
User testing platforms like UserTesting and Testbirds offer opportunities to earn extra cash from your phone. Provide feedback and suggestions on user interfaces and functionalities.
Completing user tests is a great way to make money while contributing to the improvement of digital products.
8. Provide freelance services
Freelancing is a flexible way to make good money. The gig market is thriving, so offer a range of services remotely using just your phone and choose your own hours.
From virtual assistance and social media management to writing and graphic design, leverage your skills and experience to earn extra income.
Freelancers can maximize their earnings by using several gig apps to connect with clients. Check out platforms like Fiverr and Upwork to list your services.
9. Sell photos and videos
High-quality photos sell well on stock photo websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images.
If you have a knack for photography or videography, this is a great way to monetize your creativity.
Upload the same photo to multiple stock photo sites to increase your chances of making sales.
10. Become a content creator
Do you have a passion for a particular niche? Share your knowledge and expertise by becoming a content creator.
Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok offer a wealth of opportunities to build an audience and even generate a full-time income through various means:
- Advertising: After establishing a sizable following, monetize your content through platform-specific advertising programs.
- Sponsorships: Partner with brands that align with your content and niche to create sponsored posts or product reviews.
- Selling your own products or services: Leverage your audience to promote your own eBooks, online courses, digital products, or custom merch.
Explore the best ways to get paid with Reels on Instagram.
11. Provide customer support
Many companies outsource their customer support services. Try working as a customer service representative from your phone, handling inquiries through calls, chats, or emails.
This can be a flexible way to earn money while interacting with people and helping them resolve issues.
Check out Alorica and Arise for customer experience opportunities.
12. Teach others
If you have a solid knowledge base on a subject, from academics and music to languages, become an online tutor and share your expertise with students of all ages.
Numerous websites like Preply and Wyzant connect you with students looking for remote tutors.
13. Manage social media accounts
Help small business owners maintain an active social media presence by becoming a social media manager.
Create and schedule posts, engage with followers, and analyze content performance. Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer make managing multiple accounts from your phone easy.
It’s a great way to earn money if you’re comfortable navigating different social media platforms and understand their algorithms.
Want to make money from your phone on Pinterest and other social media platforms? Check our blog for a deep dive!
14. Try investing
While investing requires thorough market research and carries inherent risks, mobile apps now help you invest in fractional shares of stocks or cryptocurrency. Often, with the option for an automatic monthly deposit to an investment account.
If you have savings to spare in your bank account, consider an investment app like Mintos, Robinhood, Coinbase, and Fundrise to invest and manage your portfolio on the go.
While this is a popular way to grow your wealth over time, remember to always invest responsibly and only what you can afford to lose.
Dive into POD from your phone
Turn your creativity into cash by designing and selling custom products with Printify – completely free, all from your phone!
FAQ
A few ways to make money directly from your phone include starting a POD store with Printify, promoting products as an affiliate, or completing surveys to earn rewards.
You can also sell unused items, work as a remote customer service agent, or freelance. If you’re into photography, upload your best shots to stock sites.
Meanwhile, content creators can monetize through ads and sponsorships, while investing apps offer flexible ways to grow your income.
While some methods might generate quicker income, reaching a consistent daily earning of $100 depends on the method and effort you put in.
Consider combining multiple income streams. For instance, run a print-on-demand store while engaging in affiliate marketing and using cashback apps. Consistency and strategic management are key.
Some hands-off ways to make money on your phone include print-on-demand, affiliate marketing, and content monetization. These methods involve initial preparation and setup, but generate passive income once they’re up and running.
Yes, here are some reliable apps to help you earn extra income from your own home:
- Printify: Start a print-on-demand eCommerce store with zero upfront costs. Printify handles production and shipping for a low-maintenance income stream.
- Swagbucks: Complete online surveys, watch videos, and earn free money by playing games for points (redeemable as cash or gift cards).
- UserTesting: Earn money by testing websites or apps and providing your user experience feedback.
- Fiverr: Offer freelance services in writing, design, and more to a global client base.
- Poshmark: Sell second-hand items like clothes and accessories.
- Robinhood: Invest in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency with options for automated monthly deposits.
Check our blog for more ideas on how to make extra income while working full-time.
To summarize
Making money from your phone in 2025 is easier than ever, with numerous exciting ways to earn cash on the go.
Whether you start a print-on-demand store, do affiliate marketing, complete surveys, give user feedback, or freelance, there’s an earning opportunity to fit your lifestyle.
So unleash your creativity, leverage your skills, and start generating income from your mobile device.
