What You Can Do With An Old Smartphone - Android

So you’ve just upgraded to the shiny, new Android or iPhone; awesome! Now, what are you going to do with your old phone? While recycling is always a good option, you might want to think twice before getting rid of that old device. This article will explore some alternative uses for an old phone. You [...]

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The post What You Can Do With An Old Smartphone appeared first on Android Headlines.

So you’ve just upgraded to the shiny, new Android or iPhone; awesome! Now, what are you going to do with your old phone? While recycling is always a good option, you might want to think twice before getting rid of that old device.

This article will explore some alternative uses for an old phone. You might be surprised how much that older device can still do.

Use it or Lose it? Nifty Ideas for Old Cellphones

You might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but there are plenty of valuable ideas for that spare cellphone. Rather than simply recycling, you can give your old pal a new life by repurposing it.

Here are some reasons to keep that previous model around, even after you upgrade to the latest flagship phone.

A Dedicated Portable Media Player

Most people love watching movies and playing music on their smartphones. Over time, media consumption can drain a phone’s battery fairly quickly. So, what’s the solution? Must we give up watching our favorite videos on-the-go to preserve battery life?

Never fear! There is a solution to the struggle of longer battery life. Using your spare phone as a media player, you can enjoy movies and music without draining your primary phone’s battery. Keep your main phone for important messages and conversations without sacrificing your entertainment by keeping that old phone around!

Backup GPS

Here’s one that many people aren’t aware of – your old phone’s GPS will work without a SIM card installed. It is, therefore, perfectly reasonable to use your old phone as a backup GPS device. Since different GPS apps specialize in particular regions or unique features, it’s beneficial to have more than one app.

One of the biggest problems (pun intended) of installing multiple GPS apps has been storage limits. Every GPS app needs to download its own maps, using a lot of storage space. Having a secondary GPS device allows you to switch between numerous apps without using your phone’s data or storage.

A Recording Device

Along with playing media, that old cellphone can still record audio and video, too! While the recording abilities of modern cellphones are an ongoing privacy concern, the features can be practical.

By connecting the cellphone to a computer via USB cable or Bluetooth, modern phones can serve as external microphones or cameras. Obviously, cellphones also make excellent voice recorders and cameras on their own.

Utilizing apps available on the Android and iOS app store, you can turn your spare phone into a remote security camera. Whether you want a baby monitor, or the front or back porch, a battery-powered phone can be a thrifty option.

Handheld Gaming

A lot of people play games on their phones, at least occasionally. There are many great games for Android and iOS devices, and the numbers are increasing daily. As with watching movies, gaming can drain a phone’s battery rapidly.

Solve those gaming battery woes by using your extra phone as a handheld gaming console. Today’s mobile games look and play better than many PC games of old. You don’t need to miss out on new games to preserve your phone battery.

Whether you are blasting intergalactic invaders or trying your luck at the best IGT casinos, your old phone can provide many hours of fun.

An Alarm Clock

More and more, people are using their phones as alarm clocks, especially during travel. Leaving your main phone powered on all-night may not be desirable, though, and charging your phone all night can potentially harm the battery. Don’t let this issue alarm you, though; your spare phone can come to the rescue yet again.

By removing all unneeded apps and disabling network access, your old phone makes a fantastic alarm clock. Place your favorite song or sound on your extra device and save precious charge cycles on your daily-driver phone.

It Doesn’t Pay to Throw Your Old Phone Away

With so many uses for your old cellphone, it’s increasingly tough to justify throwing away an old device outright. Modern phones are full-fledged computers, capable of handling various tasks once reserved for powerful desktop machines.

Beyond the items listed here, there are many other creative uses for an old phone, even without a SIM card. Before you decide to toss your phone away or bring it in for recycling, give some thought to possible uses. You might save yourself some extra cash and provide a new purpose for that old phone!

The post What You Can Do With An Old Smartphone appeared first on Android Headlines.