16 Ways to Repurpose an Old Smartphone

By | 2024-06-23

There are many creative and practical uses for an old smartphone beyond simply discarding it.

Here are some ideas:

  1. Dedicated Media Player
    Use your old smartphone as a dedicated device for music, podcasts, and videos. This can be especially useful if you want to save battery life on your primary phone.
  2. Remote Control
    Turn your old smartphone into a remote control for your smart TV, streaming devices, or other smart home gadgets. Many devices have apps that can be installed on a smartphone for this purpose.
  3. Security Camera
    Repurpose your old phone as a security camera. There are apps available that can turn your smartphone into a surveillance device, allowing you to monitor your home remotely.
  4. E-Reader
    Use your old phone as an e-reader for books, magazines, or comics. There are many apps that offer a pleasant reading experience on smartphones.
  5. Gaming Device
    Transform your old smartphone into a dedicated gaming device for casual games. This way, you can play without draining the battery of your primary phone.
  6. GPS Device
    Use your old phone as a dedicated GPS device for your car or bike. There are many offline GPS apps available that can be downloaded and used without a data connection.
  7. Wi-Fi Hotspot
    If your old smartphone still has a working SIM card slot, you can use it as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your other devices.
  8. Photo Frame
    Use your old phone as a digital photo frame to display your favorite photos on your desk or a shelf.
  9. Backup Phone
    Keep your old smartphone as a backup in case your current phone is lost, stolen, or needs repairs.
  10. Portable Storage
    Use your old phone as a portable storage device. Transfer files, photos, and documents to it and use it as an extra storage option.
  11. Learning Tool
    Give your old phone to a child as a learning tool. Install educational apps and use parental controls to ensure a safe and productive experience.
  12. Alarm Clock
    Use your old phone as a dedicated alarm clock, complete with your favorite alarm tones and clock styles.
  13. Kitchen Helper
    Mount your old smartphone in the kitchen to use it for recipes, timers, and watching cooking videos.
  14. Universal Translator
    Install translation apps and use your old smartphone as a dedicated translation device, especially useful for travel.
  15. Emergency Phone
    Keep it charged and in a specific location to use in emergencies, as old phones can still call emergency services even without an active SIM card.
  16. Fitness Tracker
    Use your old phone to run fitness tracking apps or connect it to a fitness tracker to monitor your activities and workouts.

By repurposing your old smartphone, you can give it a new lease on life and make your everyday activities more convenient and enjoyable.  Plus, that’s a bit less e-waste going in to the garbage.

Author: dwirch

Derek Wirch is a seasoned IT professional with an impressive career dating back to 1986. He brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that is invaluable to those embarking on their journey in the tech industry.

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