How do you solve the problem of getting users to switch their mobile phone of choice to one on a different operating system? If you’re Apple, a little bribery, otherwise known as incentivization, may be the way to go.

According to a report Monday, Apple is going to offer a new recycling and trade-in program that will exchange gift cards in return for used Android and BlackBerry Ltd. devices.

It’s said that Apple will use a similar system to the one it uses to repurchase iPhones, with Apple store employees determining the trade-in values for devices by considering their cosmetic and functional condition.

The new program is reported to be weeks away from launching, with training for staff to commence this week. It wasn’t clear from the report whether this is a United States-only program or whether it would be offered via Apple stores outside the United States as well.

Apple originally launched a trade-in program for iPhones in 2013, although as we covered not long after its launch, there are others willing to offer you more value for your trade-in; realistically, you’re always going to get a better return on your used item by selling it privately, as these services are all about convenience versus value for money for the end user.

For Apple, it’s another play in Tim Cook’s pursuit of increasing iPhone sales. Despite headlines that would have many believe that Apple’s iPhone is outselling Android devices, that’s primarily in the United States only, and its usually a Apple vs. Samsung comparison, not an Apple vs. all Android combined figure. Globally, Apple’s market share sits at 19.7 percent; not a bad figure when compared to third place Windows phone at 2.8 percent, but not even close to Android at 76.6 percent.

It could potentially increase sales somewhat for Apple; users of the company’s products usually aren’t super price sensitive, and it’s a nice add-on to the overall one-stop-shop experience offered in Apple stores.

photo credit: Apple Store vigil for Steve Jobs in Sydney via photopin (license)