5 Mobile-Friendly Side Hustles To Earn Extra Income – News18

Last Updated:March 12, 2025, 11:05 IST

Instead of pursuing or pleading with their company for a pay increase, professionals can now find ways to supplement their income by doing what they enjoy.

Having a side hustle is now essential rather than a luxury in today’s world. Whether you are a homemaker, a working professional, or a student, side hustles can help you supplement your income without taking time away from your full-time job.

Modern businesses rely heavily on smartphones as mobile usage continues to rise. Given how mobile-centric today’s world is, small business owners and freelancers can benefit from knowing how to use their mobile phones to generate additional income. According to Forbes, these mobile-friendly side gigs are worth pursuing in 2025:

Employee Referral Programme

Using your company’s employee referral programme is one way to significantly increase your earnings. The incentive may vary for each employer, as each will have its own rules and regulations on how this is implemented.

However, helping to close the skills gap and identifying potential employees who would be a good fit for your company could earn you a substantial amount. This side hustle has numerous advantages, including benefiting the organisation if your referral is selected and contributing to reducing unemployment, which can be highly rewarding.

Content Creation

Content creation is another excellent side hustle that you can start from your phone. You can collaborate with brands to provide affiliate content and sponsorships, and you can record short videos to create TikTok and Instagram Reels. You may also use YouTube’s Partner Programme to expand your audience and generate income on platforms like YouTube.

Mobile Blogging/Newsletter

Blogging and using applications such as Substack and Medium to create valuable content is another side hustle you can begin on your phone. Members on both platforms can purchase access to premium content. Over time, you can build a substantial following, turning it into a reliable source of secondary income while also using your influence to promote other ventures.

Photography

If you own an iPhone or a smartphone with a high-quality camera, you are in luck. With its advanced camera technology, the iPhone 16 Pro (Apple’s latest model), for instance, allows you to capture precise, detailed images with enhanced colour and depth. Photography enthusiasts might also consider the Google Pixel 9 Pro.

You can use photo-editing tools to refine your images before uploading them to websites like Shutterstock (via the Shutterstock app), earning money each time your images are used.

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E-commerce

E-commerce is another viable option, allowing you to sell second-hand items in good condition on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Another excellent option is Vinted. Additionally, you can download the Etsy Seller app to launch your Etsy store and use the platform to sell custom or handmade products and accessories.

Have you noticed how easy it is to start earning money with your phone? You don’t even need a laptop until you start scaling up.