Time To Dig Out Your Old Phone
If you’ve got an old smartphone, it’s tempting to get rid of it or stick it in some dark corner of your house to collect dust. But that old phone might not be worthless yet—in fact, it might even save you some money.
Here are 10 ways to repurpose your old phone and save a few bucks in the process.
1. A Wireless Webcam
Nowadays, lots of meetings are conducted remotely with webcams. If you find yourself without a webcam or stuck with a low-quality laptop camera, don't worry—just use your old smartphone. Its built-in camera is better than most budget webcams, so you can save money without sacrificing image quality.
Webcam Apps
Turning your phone into a webcam is easy with free apps. Just download a webcam app on both your old mobile and your computer, then connect them together. Once they're linked, you're all set to go. If you want to secure your phone to your monitor, you can get a magnetic mount or tripod, both of which are cheaper than a new webcam.
App Capabilities
With most webcam apps supporting both 720p and 1080p video, you'll have clear visuals for your meetings. 4K support is limited, but unless you're doing high-end tasks like streaming or sales calls, this probably won't be an issue. So, why not save yourself some cash and turn your old smartphone into a webcam?
2. A Universal Smart Remote
In every home, there's a notorious spot where remote controls vanish without a trace. Instead of replacing lost remotes, consider repurposing your old mobile phone as a remote control.
Make Space
Before diving in, clear space on your old phone for media apps and ensure you have your favorites like Netflix and Disney+ ready to go. Once you've prepped your phone, install your preferred streaming apps and any mobile versions of device-specific apps like Apple TV or Roku.
Limitless Control
It'll take a bit of time to download and connect everything, but once linked, you'll have seamless control over your entertainment. Plus, with apps like Google Home or Alexa, you can extend remote control to other smart devices throughout your home, making life a whole lot simpler.
3. A Daschcam
Installing a dashcam is a great way of documenting your drives and collecting evidence in the case of accidents. But the cost of a dashcam can be something that makes people pass on this valuable tool. Luckily, if you have an old smartphone lying around, you can turn it into a budget-friendly alternative.
Elizaveta Galitckaia, Shutterstock
A World Of Capabilities
Most dashcam apps can give you features like loop recording and collision detection, providing a solid substitute for a traditional dashcam. Some even have advanced features like 4K video recording and cloud storage.
Watch Your Battery
Keep in mind that some free dashcam apps might display ads and drain your phone's battery, especially if it's older. To get around the battery drain, just get long charging cable that can plug into your car's power outlet.
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4. An Alarm Clock
Whether it's work, school, or appointments, oversleeping isn't an option. If you need an extra alarm clock, just use your old phone.
Personalize Your Alarm
Setting up your old phone as an alarm clock is easy. You can either use its built-in clock or download an alarm clock app for customization. Heavy sleepers can get an app that makes them do challenges to silence the alarm, while those preferring a gentler wake-up can opt for apps with soothing nature sounds.
5. An E-Reader
Getting lost in a good book is a fun escape, and an e-reader makes it easy to carry your favorite stories wherever you go. A good e-reader can be pricey, so keep the cash in your wallet and dig out your old smartphone.
More Options
Start by decluttering your old phone to make space for e-reader apps like Amazon Kindle or Goodreads. The benefit here is that unlike dedicated e-readers, using your old phone allows flexibility across different platforms, enabling access to e-books from multiple sources.
Digital Libraries
Transforming your old smartphone into an e-reader is also a great way to expand your reading options and support your local library. Nowadays, many libraries have apps that give you access to a variety of e-books and audiobooks at no cost.
6. A Security Camera
Home security is a top priority, and using your old smartphone as a security camera is a cost-effective way of keeping an eye on things. With a security camera app, it's easy to set up a live feed. Once you connect both your phones to the app, you can use your new phone to control the feed, while your old phone captures video.
The More The Merrier
Installing the chosen security app on all devices is the first step to creating your live feed. Positioning your old phone near a power outlet ensures it stays operational without constant charging. And if you have more than one old phone lying around, you can create a more secure setup with multiple live feeds.
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7. An MP3 Player
Remember the days when MP3 players were a separate gadget from your phone? Repurposing your old phone as a dedicated MP3 player not only saves your current phone's battery but also opens up more space for music downloads.
Reset
Start fresh by performing a factory reset on your old phone, then equip it with music streaming apps like Spotify or Apple Music. Subscribers can enjoy offline listening and download their favorite albums. Even if you get the free versions of the apps, you'll still have access to plenty of tunes, just with a few ads and functional limitations.
More Than Music
When you need a break from music, you can explore the variety of podcasts and audiobooks available on streaming services. Just be aware that some audiobooks may require additional payments or have monthly access limits.
8. A Gaming Device
Mobile gaming has exploded in popularity, offering a wide range of titles from classic throwbacks to modern favorites like Pokémon Go. By making your old phone into a gaming device, you can get access to a huge library of games to entertain you on the go.
Games Galore
With a stable Wi-Fi connection, you can explore popular mobile games on platforms like Google Play and Apple Arcade. Clearing out unnecessary apps creates ample storage space for downloading your favorite games.
Pryimak Anastasiia, Shutterstock
Play All Your Favorites
Take your gaming experience further by using services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS Remote Play, and Steam Link to play console and PC games on your old phone. Repurposing your old phone is a fun, cost-effective way of extending your gameplay, especially for young gamers who don't need a brand-new device just yet.
9. A Livestream To The World
Whether you're working from home or at the office, your desk view might not always be the most captivating. But why settle for a dull scene when you can turn your old phone into a window to the world?
World-Renowned Views
Live webcam apps like EarthCam Webcams and EarthCam TV 2 offer access to stunning views from around the globe. They charge a small annual fee, but allow you to enjoy a breathtaking view of Niagara Falls or soak in the energy of Times Square from the comfort of your desk.
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Awesome Budget-Friendly Options
If you prefer not to pay for live webcam access, there are still plenty of free options available. For example, you watch animals at the San Diego Zoo through live cams set up in various enclosures. Just make sure your old phone has a reliable wireless connection to make the most of your virtual window experience.
10. A Digital Photo Frame
Nowadays, our smartphones double as our primary cameras. But why let those memories gather digital dust when you can showcase them by turning your old smartphone into a digital photo frame?
Sync Up
Start by making sure your desired photos are on your old phone—you can transfer them manually from your PC or via Bluetooth from your current device. You can also sync your old phone with cloud storage to access your photos.
Keep The Family Close
With photo framing apps like Fotoo or Google Photos, you can create albums and set up cool slideshows. In addition to your old smartphone, you can also turn an old tablet into a digital picture frame. It's a great way to add warmth to your workspace or brighten up any dull corner of your home.
