15 ingenious ideas for reusing old smartphones: what to do with outdated gadgets?

What to do with old smartphones? 15 ingenious reuse ideas

We live in an era of rapid technological advancement, where old smartphones become obsolete very quickly. But what to do with these outdated gadgets? Don’t be in a hurry to throw them away! In this article, we will tell you about 15 ingenious ideas to reuse old smartphones. You’ll be surprised how useful they can be after upgrading to a new model.

Table Of Contents

The first idea is to use your old smartphone as a media center. Install a video and movie streaming app on your outdated gadget and connect it to your TV. Now you can watch your favorite movies and shows on the big screen using your old smartphone.

The second idea is to use your old smartphone as a navigator in your car. Install a map and navigation app on your outdated gadget and turn it into a full-fledged navigation system. Just place your smartphone in a car holder and you will always know how to get to your destination.

The third idea is to use your old smartphone as a wireless surveillance camera. Install the appropriate app on your outdated gadget and use it as a home surveillance system. You will be able to monitor your home or office in real time from your primary smartphone or computer.

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Ideas for reusing old smartphones

An outdated smartphone can find new uses and be useful in many different areas of life. Here are 15 ideas on how to reuse old smartphones:

Multimedia Center: Turn your old smartphone into a multimedia center. Install special apps on it to watch movies and shows, listen to music and play games. Connect it to your TV or audio system and enjoy content without the need for a basic smartphone.
Video Surveillance: Use your old smartphone as a video surveillance for your home or office. Install a special app on it and connect a camera to keep an eye on what’s going on in real time.
Reserve phone: If you have only one smartphone, the old device can serve you as a backup. In case your primary smartphone breaks down or is lost, you will always have access to communication capabilities.
Home Server: Turn your old smartphone into a home server for file storage and data synchronization. Install a special application and set up access to files and documents from any device.
Radio receiver: An old smartphone can be turned into a radio receiver to listen to radio stations online. Install the appropriate app and enjoy music and news via Wi-Fi or mobile internet.
Child development center: Download educational apps, games and cartoons for kids to your old smartphone. Smartphone can be a useful development and learning tool.
Smart alarm clock: Use your old smartphone as a smart alarm clock. Install the corresponding app and customize the alarm modes, melodies, volume and other settings.
Electronic Book: Download eBooks to your old smartphone and turn it into a convenient reading device. The smartphone screen has enough brightness and resolution for comfortable reading.
Remote control: Some old smartphones can be used as a remote control for other devices such as TV, media player or air conditioner.
Photography: An old smartphone can be a great camera, especially if it has a good camera. Use it to take photos and videos and then transfer them to your main device for processing and storage.
Navigator: Install a special navigation app on your old smartphone and use it as a car navigator. You will not need to buy additional devices.
Fitness tracker: Download a special physical activity tracker app to your old smartphone and use it as a fitness tracker. Many smartphones have sensors that allow you to track the number of steps, distance traveled, and other metrics.
Organizer: Install an organizer app on your old smartphone to create notes, schedule tasks, keep a shopping list, and more. Use it as a digital notepad and planner.
Weather Station: Install an appropriate weather display app on your old smartphone and use it as a weather station.
Mini Computer: Turn your old smartphone into a mini computer. Plug in a keyboard and mouse, install the necessary applications, and you’ll have convenient access to the Internet, email, documents, and other online services.
Digital Photo Frame: Use your old smartphone as a digital photo frame to display family photos and videos. Install an appropriate app and enjoy viewing the memories.

All these ideas demonstrate how an outdated smartphone can be useful and not just lying idle. Use your old gadget in a smart way and get additional benefits from it!

Smart home based on an old smartphone

An old smartphone that you no longer use can be turned into the center of a smart home. Using special software and modern technology, you can control the devices in your home using this old gadget.

The centerpiece of a smart home is an app on your old smartphone that will allow you to control various systems: lights, temperature, security, and outlets. Install the app on your old smartphone and connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi or other control network.

Next, you’ll be able to:

Control lights: turn lights on and off in different rooms, adjust the brightness and color of lights.
Regulate temperature: turn the heating and air conditioning on and off, set a comfortable temperature in each room.
Monitor security: receive notifications of burglary or intrusion, turn the security system on and off.
Control outlets: turn on and off devices through outlets, set up operating schedule.

For ease of use, you can place an old smartphone in a central location in your home for quick access to control smart home systems. Some users also use brackets or charging docks to secure an old smartphone to a wall or table.

By creating a smart home based on an old smartphone, you can significantly improve the comfort and security of your home, and save money on the purchase of a new smart home control center.

Media center from an old smartphone

Electronic devices such as smartphones have a limited lifespan and become redundant over time. However, they still have the potential to be reused. One great idea for using an old smartphone is to create a media center.

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A media center is a device that allows you to play multimedia content such as movies, music, and photos on a large screen. By using your old smartphone as a media center, you can enjoy your favorite content without having to purchase a new device.

Here are a few ways to turn your old smartphone into a media center:

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Connect your smartphone to a large TV using an HDMI cable or wireless connection to get a high-quality picture on the big screen.
Install the media player app on your smartphone and use it to play movies, music, and photos.
Connect your smartphone to your audio system to enhance sound and create a home theater experience.
Connect your smartphone to a Wi-Fi network and use it to watch streaming content from various services.
Use your smartphone as a remote control for other devices in your home, such as TVs, audio systems, and lights.
Build your collection of movies, music and photos on your smartphone and enjoy them whenever you want.

A media center from an old smartphone can be a great way to reuse a device that is no longer used as your primary phone. It offers various options for entertainment and convenient multimedia content playback.

Children’s educational tablet made from an old smartphone

An old smartphone can easily turn into a useful educational device for children. Using special apps and educational games, you can create a child developmental tablet that will help your child learn new knowledge and skills.

Here are some ideas on how to use an old smartphone as a children’s educational tablet:

Install educational apps. There are many apps available to help children learn letters, numbers, colors, and other basics. Choose apps that are age-appropriate for your child and will help develop their skills.
Create a special learning cover. Use a protective case that can be attached to a table or stand to make the smartphone look like a tablet. This way, your child can comfortably use the device without worrying about its safety. 3- Limit access to unwanted material. An old smartphone may be connected to Wi-Fi, so it is important to set up internet access control. You can install special apps or settings that will prevent access to unwanted content.
Create individual profiles for each child. If you have multiple children, you can create separate profiles with different difficulty levels and games. This will help each child develop according to their needs and interests.

Creating a child development tablet from an old smartphone is an easy and affordable way to provide your child with learning materials and games. Such a device can be a useful developmental and entertainment tool for your child.

FAQ:

What are some ideas for reusing an old smartphone?

There are many interesting ideas, for example, you can use it as a media player for streaming content, as a video surveillance system for your home, as a remote control for various devices, as a digital photo frame and many more.

How do I turn my old smartphone into a media player?

To do this, you’ll need to install an app to view and play media content, such as Kodi or Plex. Then connect your smartphone to your TV or other monitor using an HDMI cable or wireless connection, and enjoy your movies and shows on the big screen.

How to turn an old smartphone into a video surveillance system?

To do this, you’ll need to download and install a special surveillance app like IP Webcam or Alfred. Then connect your smartphone to Wi-Fi and place it in the desired location for surveillance. You’ll be able to view the video stream from the camera on another device over the internet.

How to make an old smartphone a remote control?

To do this, you will need to download and install an app to control various devices via Wi-Fi or infrared port, such as “SURE Universal Smart TV Remote”, “AnyMote - Smart Remote Control” or “Peel Smart Remote”. Then set up the app and use your smartphone as a remote control for your TV, air conditioner, DVD player, etc.

How to turn an old smartphone into a digital photo frame?

To do this, you will need to download and install an appropriate photo display app such as Dayframe, Flickr, Digital Photo Frame Slideshow and others. Then, connect your smartphone to the stand or bracket and select the photos you want to show on the screen. You can also customize the interval at which the photos change and add transition effects.

Can I use my old smartphone as a car navigator?

Yes, you can turn your old smartphone into a handy car navigator. To do this, you need to install a special navigation app, such as Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator, and connect your smartphone to a car holder. Thus, you can get detailed maps, voice prompts and avoid traffic jams while driving.