I Tried Making $100 in 7 Days Using Only My Phone

In an age where smartphones have become powerful mini-computers, the idea of making money using only a phone sounds promising—and tempting. I decided to put it to the test: could I make $100 in just seven days, relying solely on apps, social media, and mobile-friendly gigs? What follows is a candid recount of my week-long experiment, the wins, the setbacks, and the unexpected lessons along the way.

Day 1: Diving In With High Hopes

I started the week optimistic. After all, there are countless stories online of people earning quick cash through surveys, microtasks, freelance gigs, or selling items on apps like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. My phone was already full of apps like Fiverr, Upwork, Swagbucks, and Instagram. I set my goal: $100 by the end of seven days.

Day 2–3: Survey Apps and Microtasks

The first tools I turned to were survey apps and microtask platforms. Apps like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Amazon Mechanical Turk promised quick rewards for completing short surveys or small online tasks.

The reality? Slow progress and a lot of repetition. Surveys were sometimes boring, often disqualifying me after five minutes. The payouts were tiny—usually a few cents to a couple of dollars per task. After two days, I had earned about $8, which was far below my daily target.

Still, I kept at it. The convenience of doing tasks on my phone anywhere was a plus, but I realized time-to-money ratio was low.

Day 4: Freelance Gigs and Selling Skills

Next, I tried Fiverr, hoping to offer quick freelance services. I brainstormed simple gigs I could deliver entirely through my phone: social media posting, basic graphic design using Canva, and short voice recordings.

Setting up gigs was easy, but attracting clients overnight was impossible. Fiverr’s marketplace is competitive, and building trust takes time. I didn’t get a single order in the first few days.

At the same time, I explored Instagram and Facebook groups where people look for quick services like writing captions or basic video editing. I messaged a few potential clients, but responses were sparse or slow.

Day 5: Selling Unused Stuff

Frustrated by the slow cash flow, I looked around for physical items I no longer needed. Using my phone’s camera and apps like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace, I listed some old clothes and gadgets.

Within 24 hours, I sold two items for a combined $45. This was my biggest single boost so far. The process was simple: take photos, write honest descriptions, and communicate via phone messaging.

However, selling stuff is a one-time income source—not sustainable if I wanted to keep earning week after week.

Day 6: Teaching and Sharing Knowledge

I also experimented with tutoring and consulting options through apps like Cambly and Preply, which connect people needing language practice or skill coaching. Since I only had a phone, I limited myself to audio or video calls.

I managed to get a short 30-minute tutoring session booked, earning $15. It wasn’t much, but it was rewarding to use a skill and talk to someone directly.

Day 7: Reflection and Results

By the end of the week, I’d earned just over $100, combining survey earnings, sales, and tutoring. I hit my goal, but it took a patchwork of approaches and lots of effort.

What I learned is that making real money using only a phone is possible—but it’s not easy money. The best results came from selling physical items and using personal skills, rather than relying on surveys or generic microtasks. Building a freelance income through phone-only platforms takes time and patience.

Key Takeaways:

Be realistic about survey apps and microtasks. They pay, but slowly and not enough for immediate income.

Selling physical items is quick money but not sustainable. It’s a good jumpstart but not a long-term plan.

Freelancing on phone is challenging but doable. Niche skills and active outreach help, but it takes time to build trust.

Mobile tutoring or coaching can be rewarding. Using your voice and knowledge is one of the better mobile-friendly income streams.

Persistence matters. Making $100 in a week using only a phone isn’t effortless, but it’s doable with consistent effort.

Final Thoughts

Smartphones have revolutionized the way we work and make money. But they don’t create shortcuts. Success requires creativity, patience, and a willingness to explore multiple streams. If you’re thinking of trying this yourself, set clear goals, experiment boldly, and don’t get discouraged by slow starts.

At the end of the day, the phone is just a tool—your hustle, creativity, and persistence do the heavy lifting.