Upgrading to a new smartphone is always exciting, but it often leaves you with the question, What do you do with the old one? If you have one of those gadgets, Even while it could be tempting to put it in a drawer, it still has a lot of worth. Full of the latest hardware and functionality, old mobile gadgets are a resource that can be used in various innovative ways. There are so many other ways to look at this and give your phone a second life whether it’s needed to expand your home setup or to be a reliable backup device, and the list is virtually endless. In this guide, let us look at some of the uses for an old smartphone.
Creative Uses for an Old Smartphone
The current smartphones are equipped with very strong and durable features that make them more flexible to be used in different and often artistic ways. Below, you will find 10 innovative ways to use your old smartphone.
1. Media Player
Mobile is no more just a mere calling device, your old smartphone can be a standalone device for music, movies, or a podcast. With apps like Spotify, Netflix, or YouTube, you can dedicate it to entertainment alone freeing your other device for other issues. Paired with Bluetooth speakers, you can repurpose your old smartphone into home audio system sorts.
2. Create a Home Security Camera
Use apps to turn your previous mobile device into a home security camera. Place it by a door or in a baby’s room and you will be able to monitor what is happening when you are not around. Almost all of these apps incorporate motion detection and stream the video in real-time, which will make you feel at ease without investing in a brand-new security system.
3. Use It as a Digital Photo Frame
It is recommended to use it as a digital picture frame, instead of investing in a standalone digital picture frame, simply stand your old smartphone up vertically and load it with pictures. You can easily set up a continuous slideshow, making your phone an awesome piece of home decoration with the help of the latest applications like Fotoo.
4. Create Accessories for the Gaming Machine
Not having to deal with space constantly taken by apps in your main phone when you transform another old phone into a gaming phone. Plug it into your machine, load it with the games you like, and it is ready to use. Attach a gaming handle for a better experience.
5. Smart Home Controller
It also means that old smartphones are quite useful, at least when it comes to controlling smart home devices. Download apps for your smart lights, thermostat, or home security system and place the phone wherever you will frequently interact with your smart home.
6. Make it a Follow-up GPS Device
Reuse the old mobile phone as your car or bike’s global positioning system (GPS) and support. With regards to GPS, navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze function just as efficiently on older smartphones if they are connected to Wi-Fi or are downloaded to be an offline app.
7. Use It as a Kids’ Device
Use your old phone for your child if you’re not ready to get them a phone of their own. For the camera to function, cellular connectivity is not required. Once the phone is safe, connect it to Wi-Fi so your children may play games, email pictures, download apps, surf the internet, and make calls. To ensure kids’ safety apply a screen protector and a case.
8. Video Chat Device
The easiest and perhaps one of the best things to do with an old smartphone is to use it strictly for video calling. Now with apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, or FaceTime, your retired phone is your best buddy for a good catch-up, online meeting, or a family call.
9. Desk Calendar
Why splurge on a new desk calendar when the smartphone that you used to own can do the work just as well? Thanks to its colorful screen, possibility to add or change applications, and portability, your old gadget is an informative and eye-catching schedule on your workspace. It is a convenient, pragmatic, and environmentally friendly approach to keep things in order and always know what is coming next.
10. High-tech e-clock
Why wake up with a simple alarm tone when the old smartphone can be turned into a kind of e-clock? Your old device with colors and never-ending options will serve as a modern, versatile tool and will be the most suitable compliment for a bedside table, kitchen, or even an office simple clock.
11. Wireless Webcam
Don’t like to pay for the extra webcam? Don’t worry your old smartphones can be used as Wireless webcams for video calls or streaming as well as online meetings or work from home. Because of its better camera and multiple programs, it can compete with many default webcams, sparing both time and money.
12. Alternative E-Book Reader
Old smartphones can be repurposed for reading e-books alone, and there is nothing better than pulling an old smartphone out to read your favorite novels, comics, academic texts, etc. But being lightweight it can serve as a perfect companion for travel or some leisure time at home, without charging your main device, it is also good for various reading applications.
13. Portable Storage Device
Given that your old smartphone has its own in-built memory and expandable one if the phone model supports it, then it’s a perfect portable storage tool. If you’re trying to find a place to back up crucial files, find a location for your favorite photos and videos, or transfer data between gadgets, your retired phone is more than sufficient for the task.
14. Repurpose It as a Fitness Tracker
Your old smartphone does not have to just sit and collect dust, instead, use it for your fitness goals to encourage activity and keep track. Connecting your old device to a fitness app or having the built-in sensors of the open platform can allow a phone to track steps taken, the workouts performed, the number of hours slept, and so on, without straining your main phone.
15. Use It as a Backup Phone
It is good to always have a fully charged spare phone in your pocket, a precaution that will somewhat compensate for the inadequate battery life. It also comes in handy in case your main phone is lost, stolen, or damaged. It may also be used as a travel phone with a SIM card obtained locally.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the smartphone you used previously might not be the one you use often but there is so much you can still do with it. In order it could work as a high-tech e-clock or fitness tracker, a portable storage device, a video chat, and many other creative uses shows that an outdated phone can be much more than a backup device. Making the best of what you already have also prevents electronic waste since your smartphone performs additional duties so, instead of purchasing more devices, you save money.
