In just a few taps, you can gift iOS apps directly through your iPhone or iPad, and you can send gifted apps instantly or on a specific date in the future.

And while Google’s Play store still doesn’t allow you to gift apps (what’s the holdup?) directly over your Android phone or tablet, you can still wrap up an Android app (or an e-card for an Android app, anyway) with a minimum of fuss.

You can gift iOS apps directly over your iPhone or iPad.

For iOS:

• First, open the App Store app, find an app you’d like to give to a special someone, then tap to open the app’s detail screen (the one with the tap-to-buy button).
• Tap the Share button at the top at the top of the screen (or, on an iPad in the top corner of the pop-up window), then tap the Gift button.
• A new email message with details on your gift will slide into view. Type in the email address of the recipient, add a personal message, then (under the Send Gift heading) choose when you’d like the gift to arrive: either immediately, or at a later date.
• Tap the Next button in the top corner of the screen to pick from seven themes for your virtual gift, then tap Next again to wrap up the process.

Google Play gift cards are available online and from retails such as Walmart, Target, and Sam’s Club.

For Android:

• No, you can’t gift an app through the Google Play app store, but you can give a Google Play gift card to a special someone. Available in denominations of $10, $25, and $50, Google Play gift cards are available online and at brick-and-mortar retailers like Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Sam’s Club, and they can be used to gift apps, music, and books sold on the Google Play online marketplace.
• Need to gift an Android app instantly? Amazon has its own Android store stocked with thousands of popular apps, which can be redeemed with a personalized gift card—and unlike Google Play gift cards, you can send Amazon gift cards via e-mail.
• Live someone other than the U.S.? If so, good news: Google Play gift cards are available at international retailers in more than two dozen countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

Click here for more Android tips, or click here for help with your iPhone or iPad!

Note: This updated tip was first published in December 2011.

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Going the trade-in way means avoiding the hassle of finding a buyer for your old smartphone—but it also involves taking a leap of faith, given that you’ll have to wait days or even weeks after sending off your handset before you see a dime.

Don’t pack up your iPhone or Android device and send it off to a bunch of strangers without taking a gander at these five tips, starting with…

1. Shop around

Don’t just go with the first trade-in service you find on Google. After checking out just a few online trade-in sites, I found offers for a 16GB iPhone 4 in good condition ranging from about $150 to more than $260. Doing just a little extra legwork can really pay off.

2. Don’t forget the charger

The trade-in value for your phone will go up a notch if you include its original power cord—not a lot, mind you, but every little bit counts.

3. Wipe your phone before you hand it over

Some trade-in services promise that they’ll erase all the personal data on your phone as soon as they receive it, but don’t take their word for it. Make sure to wipe your phone’s memory completely before you drop it in the mail or hand it over to a clerk; here’s how to do it.

4. Read the fine print

So, you sent your phone in to a trade-in center, they looked it over, and they don’t agree with your judgement that it’s in “good” condition—and indeed, they may even decide that your old phone is worthless. What happens next?

Well, some trade-in companies will give you the chance to back out of the deal and ask for your phone back. Others, however, have more of a “sorry, you’re out of luck” policy—meaning that once you’ve sent them your phone, you’ll never get it back, even if they decide its value is zilch.

So, how can you make sure you’re dealing with one of the good guys? Simple: read the fine print, and make sure the trade-in company you’re considering will return your phone if you can’t agree on a price.

5. Go to the trade-in counter in person

If you’re really paranoid about falling victim to a disreputable trade-in company (and based on the number of horror stories I’ve heard, you’re probably not being paranoid), you might want to trade in your phone at an actual store rather than dropping it in the mail. That way, you can get an instant quote from a real person—and if you don’t like the quote, just take your phone back and leave.

Have more questions about phone trade-in services? Post ’em in the comments below.

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