Smartphones have grown in popularity over the past two decades. They have evolved into gadgets everyone needs to run their day-to-day activities. These gadgets have replaced major segments of products like music players, many entry to mid-level cameras, unnecessary computers, and many more. In 2020 alone, 1.38 billion smartphones were sold, 1.54 billion in 2019, and 2021 is currently on track with an estimate of 1.54 billion. These are data from Statistica combining Android, iPhones, and other operating systems though the rest are quite insignificant. This attests to their popularity among the masses, both in the developed and developing world.
With such popularity, I could not help but wonder ways in which people can make money from them, either actively or passively. Heck, this blog is all about smartphones and consumer hardware.
From my research, just like any other way of making money, you need skill, effort, and time to make a dime. Time is essential as you may not see results instantly. Someone could argue that any business needs time to know the ins and outs of the business so you can actually make a considerable amount of money. I try to simplify it over here and offer some ideal which anyone will be free to expand on them.
Some of the methods below are suited to people living in the United States and the United Kingdom and the rest are suited to everyone world over. Here are ways to make money from your phone:
Take and sell pictures
Every modern smartphone comes equipped with a better camera than a standalone camera from the 2000s. The pictures they take are of impeccable quality. These pictures can be sold and used for advertisements or other commercial purposes. Some people buy them because they love them.
Here are some of the best places to sell your pictures and make some money:
- 500px
- SmugMug Pro
- Alamy
- Shutterstock
- Getty Images
- iStock Photo
- Etsy
- Stocksy
- Can Stock Photo
- Adobe Stock
- Twenty20
- EyeEm
- 123RF
- Foap
- Zenfolio
- Pixieset
- Depositphotos
- Dreamstime
Remember to only sell the pictures that you own, or have the copyright to distribute.
Create social media content
It is no surprise your favorite social media celebrity makes their content using their smartphones. Some upgrade to a standalone camera but most choose to stick with what works. You do not have to be as big as them but you can get in and get started. YouTube Shorts is currently the hottest thing and if you attack some sizeable amount if views you will be paid. TikTok is also a platform exploding with popularity. They both pay their creators. Post your content to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and with time you will curve your niche and make money from them.
Social media can be really profitable in the long run. You will likely not see any income immediately but it can go to millions in the future.
Be an agent
Apps like Field Agent allow you to connect to people who would like some work done. The kind of work done is so random in nature but you will still get paid. Companies can ask you to check the reach of their product or shoot some quick promotional pictures. Got an hour or two in a busy neighborhood? You can make some good money.
Google Opinion Rewards
This allows users to participate in surveys and earn money to give their feedback. Surprisingly, not many people know about this. Download the Google Opinion Rewards app for Android and iOS and get funds deposited to your PayPal account after answering a few questions.
Do tasks available locally
Tasks like cleaning, moving stuff around, or something that does not need skilled labor. TaskRabbit is that site and app that you are looking for. Sign up and receive do tasks that are available at your locality. You can make up to $50/h on the app on a good day.
Mine Bitcoin on your smartphone
Yes, you can mine cryptocurrency straight from your Android device. Mining uses the computing power of your Android device to make computations by solving complex cryptographic mathematical hash functions. The app does not necessarily mine bitcoin but it mines the most profitable coin at that moment like Litecoin, Monero, Electroneum, Vertcoin, etc. The app for Android that I have found so far is called Pickaxe Mobile Miner.
The one drawback is that your device will run hot and will have a shorter life span. Some devices thermal throttles and slow down to prevent self-destruction. The payout however is not that much as you can guess but may be worth experimenting.
These are definitely not the only ways to make money but they are the best that I found that anyone can make some quick money. It is not an exhaustive list and I will be adding as find them. Feel free to experiment on the ones that are applicable to you.
