Mobile Phone Collection

That surplus phone sitting in your drawer could change someone's life. Donate it to Cambridge Online and we will get it to someone who needs it.

500

Devices targeted

2,000+

People supported

100%

Free to recipients

The Journey of Your Phone

From your drawer to someone's lifeline — here is what happens when you donate.

You Donate

Drop your phone at any of our collection points — takes less than 5 minutes

Data Wiped

All personal data is securely erased to professional standards

Refurbished

Tested, repaired, and loaded with a fresh operating system

Life Changed

Matched to someone who needs it — for education, employment, or staying connected

What Phones We Accept

Android Phones

Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android phones.

Working screen
Holds a charge
Factory reset & remove your Google account
Include charger if possible

iPhones

Any iPhone model in reasonable condition.

Working screen
Holds a charge
Sign out of iCloud & remove Apple ID
Disable Find My iPhone

Basic Phones

Non-smartphones and feature phones are also welcome.

Turns on and holds a charge
Remove SIM card & memory card
Delete contacts & messages
Include charger if possible

Want to donate a laptop, tablet, or other equipment? Visit our Donate Equipment page for laptops, desktops, tablets, monitors, accessories, and more.

Your Data Is Safe With Us

We understand that donating a personal device requires trust. Every device we receive is professionally erased and securely wiped before any refurbishment begins. Your personal data is completely removed.

Certified data wipe GDPR compliant Professional refurbishment

What Your Phone Makes Possible

A single donated phone can transform someone's daily life.

Stay Connected

A lifeline for someone isolated — connecting them to family, friends, and support networks

Access Services

Book GP appointments, access banking, apply for benefits, and manage daily life

Feel Safer

A phone means being able to call for help, navigate unfamiliar places, and feel secure

Where to Donate

Drop your phone at any of these locations — no appointment needed.

NatWest Bank

21 Petty Cury, Cambridge CB2 3NE

Look for our collection point inside the branch in the city centre.

Get Directions

Allia Future Business Centre

Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2HY

Our main Cambridge office — collection point available in reception, Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm.

Get Directions

Bradfield Centre

184 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0GA

Located within the Cambridge Science Park — collection point on site.

Get Directions

Allia Future Business Centre (Peterborough)

Peterborough United FC, London Road, Peterborough PE2 8AN

Our Peterborough location at London Road — collection point available.

Get Directions

Our Collection Points

Look out for our clearly labelled collection points at each donation point

A Cambridge Online mobile collection point — drop your donation inside

Find a Donation Point

Cambridge collection points shown below

Also accepting donations at Allia Future Business Centre, Peterborough United FC, London Rd, Peterborough PE2 8AN

Good for People. Good for the Planet.

Donating your phone is better than recycling — it extends its life and reduces e-waste.

70kg

of CO₂ saved per
refurbished phone

80%

of a phone's carbon footprint
is from manufacturing

3–5 yrs

of extra life given
to each phone

By donating your phone, you help reduce e-waste and give technology a meaningful second life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about donating your phone.

What happens to my personal data?

All phones are professionally wiped to certified standards before any refurbishment takes place. We recommend performing a factory reset and removing your accounts before donation, but even if you forget, our team will securely erase everything.

Do I need to unlock my phone first?

Please unlock your phone and remove your account (Google or Apple ID) where possible. For iPhones, disable Find My iPhone and sign out of iCloud. For Android phones, perform a factory reset. This helps us process your phone more quickly, but we can handle locked phones too.

What if my phone is old or slow?

Older phones can still be incredibly useful to someone without a device. We assess every donation and can often replace batteries or repair minor issues. If a phone truly cannot be refurbished, we will responsibly recycle it — nothing goes to landfill.

Do I need to include a charger?

If possible, yes — it helps us get the phone ready for its new owner more quickly. But do not let a missing charger stop you from donating. We have a supply of common chargers and cables.

Can I donate a phone with a cracked screen?

Minor cracks and scratches are fine — our technicians can handle those. Phones with severely smashed screens or water damage are harder to refurbish, but bring them along and we will assess them. We can responsibly recycle anything we cannot repair.

What about laptops, tablets, and other equipment?

This page focuses on mobile phones. If you have laptops, desktops, tablets, monitors, or accessories to donate, please visit our Donate Equipment page for full details.

Who receives the donated phones?

Phones go to people across Cambridge, Peterborough, and Cambridgeshire who are digitally excluded — often on low incomes, without internet access, or needing a phone to access essential services, stay connected with family, or feel safe.

Need a Device?

If you or someone you know needs a free device, you can apply through our simple online form. We provide refurbished laptops, tablets, and phones to people across Cambridgeshire who need help getting online.

Apply for a Device

Have Questions?

Get in touch if you'd like to know more about donating your mobile phone

A partnership between Cambridge Online and Sustainable Tech 4 Good