5 Side Gigs You Can Do from Your Smartphone

Close-up of hands holding a smartphone next to a cup of coffee on a wooden table. — Hands holding a smartphone over a wooden table with coffee, demonstrating how easy it is to work remotely.

For these side gigs, you only need your phone!

Right now we’re living in a fast-paced digital world, and while many consider this a bad thing, there are some perks we can’t forget about. For example, making money is easy. If you want some extra money, you don’t need to go to the traditional 9-to-5 job. This is now a thing of the past.

Instead, with all of this technology we have at our fingertips, we can bring work closer to us, more precisely on our smartphones. Yes, we generally use them to stay connected and for entertainment, but this is a versatile tool that can easily unlock financial opportunities for us.

Waiting in line at the grocery store, sitting in a coffee shop, or relaxing on your couch at home—all of these mundane activities can change because while doing them you’ll be able to also make money. Idle moments can finally become profitable, and all you need is some skill and interest.

Ready to find out more about the side gigs of the future?

1. Playing games

Ok, but how is this working? How is it possible to transform game time into money? This is one of the most fun side gigs you can do on your phone and is perfect for those who tend to spend hours playing random phone games.

Maybe it felt good to make points and see how you climb that rank leader in the game, but how would it feel to also make some money while doing that? Sounds incredibly tempting and too good to be true, right? This is totally doable, and it’s finally your chance to turn your hobby into one of the best side gigs.

Here are some popular games that will pay you to play: Bubble Cash, Mistplay, Rewarded Play, Money Well, JustPlay, and Cash Giraffe. They are all simple games, and maybe they won’t pay you a fortune, but this is a fun and potentially profitable way to spend your free time. Also, no one stops you from playing more games at once if you want to make more money.

Always read the terms and conditions of each app carefully before signing up. Some apps might have specific requirements or limitations.

A first-person view of someone using a mystery shopping app in a grocery store aisle to earn between $5 and $15 per gig. — Earn money by completing quick Gigwalk tasks while browsing the cereal aisle at your local grocery store.

2. Gigwalk

Do you like wandering around and finding new places? How about doing this while also earning some extra cash? Gigwalk is a mystery shopping app that connects you with various tasks and errands businesses need to complete. Of all side gigs, this is a great one for those who are more active.

First of all, you’ll enter the app, and you will see more local gigs. From mystery shopping to store audits, you can find a wide range of activities. Once you find a gig, apply for it and wait for approval.

Each job will have specific instructions that can range from visiting stores and answering questions to taking photos. Now, the money you will get on these side gigs depends, but you can generally expect to earn between $5 and $15 per gig.

Jobs can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to complete, but the best part is the flexibility it gives you, allowing you to work when it suits you.

Some other apps that offer you the chance to do similar side gigs are Mobee, which provides mystery shopping and other on-demand tasks, and Field Agent, which is focused on data collection.

A person loading plain cardboard packages into the trunk of their car in a sunlit suburban driveway. — A person loads a cardboard box into their car trunk to start a flexible delivery shift.

3. Amazon Flex driver

Do you want some extra cash and also to be your own boss? Say no more! Amazon Flex is a popular choice for anyone who is looking for these things, and if you also love to drive, this might be one of the best side gigs for you.

You need your personal vehicle, and your job will be to deliver Amazon packages. What is so appealing is the flexibility of this gig, as you can choose your own hours and you’ll still make a decent income.

You need to download the Amazon Flex app and complete all the required steps in order to become a partner. After you’ve been accepted, you’ll select 3 to 6-hour blocks that suit best in your schedule, and most of the time you’ll get between $18 and $25 per hour.

Amazon Flex can be incredibly profitable, but the competition for delivery blocks can be fierce. If you want to maximize your earnings, try working during peak delivery times or in areas with high demand.

An ink and watercolor drawing of a person relaxing on a sofa while handling customer support chats on their smartphone. — Provide 24/7 customer support from your smartphone while lounging on the couch with your sleeping dog.

4. Customer support

If you want an easy work-from-home job that you can do from your phone, we can’t forget about customer support. This is one of the most accessible side gigs and is also one that can help you make some profit.

What does a customer support agent do? You’ll be the voice of the company, and you’ll be there for those who have questions or just need some help regarding products and services. Most of the time, your job will be to respond to phone calls, emails, or even live chat inquiries.

What makes this job so appealing is the flexibility, the fact that you can work remotely, even from your smartphone, and also the earnings potential. The average wage per hour of a customer support representative is $18.82.

If you are looking for a job in customer support as a side gig, you can start by checking on websites like Indeed.com and freelance platforms like FlexJobs. Also, there are a lot of big companies such as Amazon and Walmart that need ad hire for phone-based customer support roles.

5. Market research gigs

If you are looking for the best side gigs and you feel like sharing your thoughts about various things is something you enjoy, maybe market research gigs are the best fit for you. Companies are always looking for feedback on their products and services, and they’re willing to pay for your input.

The first thing you need to do is find study opportunities. For this, you want to check websites like User Interviews and Respondent. But keep in mind that not all studies are open to everyone. You’ll need to meet specific criteria to qualify, but once you are selected, you can start completing the surveys. Just follow the instructions, and everything should be alright.

Always be honest because this is the idea behind the study, and do your best to complete the studies before the deadline. If you have details you think might be useful to share with the researchers, don’t hesitate because detailed and actionable feedback is valuable to them.

Having a smartphone means more than entertaining and easy communication. Nowadays, you can use it as a tool that helps you make side gigs and collect cash. And as you can see, there are many jobs you can choose from.

The best part is that you have all the power, and you are the one who controls your schedule and workload. Making money during your lunch break? This is totally possible, and all you need is your smartphone.

Do any of these side gigs sound appealing to you? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you want to start working on your smartphone, this item might be helpful: iClever Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
You should also read: 10 Great Small Business Ideas For Retirees