Here Are Some COOL Things To Do With Your Old Cell Phones
Each of us brings a little supercomputer with us that can fit within our pockets. It does everything we can ask it to do, checking the weather, searching the internet, playing games, streaming media, taking photos and analyzing data. But for the fact that newer, improved models are always on the horizon, smartphones are fantastic.
With our smartphones, most of us can probably get out a few years, but the upgrade cycle means it is still tempting to splurge on a shinier newer up-to-date model. Typically, when you buy a new smartphone, you can save a few bucks by trading your old cell phone in, but there are times when you could end up with an extra, outdated smartphone hanging around.
So, What should you do with your old cell phone? Reuse it instead of making that cell phone gather dust. It can also be a convenient addition to the household if it connects to Wi-Fi. Here are a few cool things to do with your old cell phones.
1. Old Cell Phone Security Camera
You can quickly put it to good use by converting it into a handheld surveillance camera if you have an old phone lying around. It’s super easy with the help of modern day apps.
The components of a “true” security camera are already present on your phone, namely a camera lens and an Internet connection.
You can accomplish this with a free app named Alfred, which is available for iOS and Android.
Alfred is an app which is very strong. With items like the Nest Cam, it has a lot of the equipment that you will be able to pay for. You can remotely display and switch between the front and back of your camera, toggle on the flash, talk over the speaker, see at night, receive motion warnings, and more.
2. Hand Your Old Cell Phone Down To The Kids
The Family Connect app from Google lets parents hand over their old Android devices to their children without thinking about what they could end up installing or finding online from the Play Store. For their children, they only have to create a Google account and download the app.
Family Connect allows parents to authorize or block apps that their children choose from the Play Store to download, track their screen time and the apps they access, set time limits for the device, and lock their child’s device remotely for bedtime or study.
As long as they use an Android device that runs Nougat and above, the app is available for children. Some computers running Marshmallow operate, too. On an Android device running Kit Kat or above, or an iPhone running iOS 9 or higher, parents can run Family Connect.
3. Turn Your Old Cell Phone Into A Baby Monitor
Do you want reassurance that your baby in the crib is safe and sound? Look no further than your mobile device. Your trusty smartphone can conveniently act as a baby monitor thanks to a slew of new applications.
There is one major advantage to a phone-based monitor: It helps traveling parents to check in anytime, at any time, on their little loved one. And the setup is a cinch, except for new moms and dads who are sleep-deprived.
Nevertheless, some parents might be cautious about streaming what happens in the nursery, especially in light of recent news reports about hacked baby monitors. Rest assured that the odds of it happening to you are relatively slim, though the thought is frightening.
A little extra precaution, however, can’t hurt.
Make sure that your Wi-Fi network is password-protected and that the best possible password is always used.
For example, don’t use obvious options such as “password,” your birthday, or “123456.” Also, avoid the temptation to upload the monitor feed to the Web so that all your friends and family can share it.
4. Old Cell Phone Gaming System
As a gaming device, you can use your old phone. Gamers are inventive; there are tons of gadgets that allow you to clamp your phone to Xbox or Playstation controllers to push gameplay, like the Moga Mobile Gaming Clip For Xbox Wireless Controllers.
The Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller offers iPhone and Android owners something to hold on to. Turning your old cell phone into a portable gaming device with the ease and use of a controller right in your hand.
But be warned: compatibility across platforms or with all games is not universal, and with certain types of games, some controllers make more sense. There would be different needs of a puzzle player than someone who likes first-person shooters. Before you purchase the game, consider how and what you play.
5. Use Your Old Cell Phone For Video Chat Zoom Meeting Device
Set up your old Android smartphone with an app for your favorite video chat site.
Skype, Hangouts from Google, Zoom or whatever the case might be. Then drop it on your desk or conference room table within a dock. That way, from your old mobile phone, you have established a permanent access point for virtual face-to – face communications.
Imagine building an whole home- or office-wide video conferencing system with enough old phones and tablets. With the name of the room as its username, sign each computer into its own unique account, and seeing someone across the building will never be more than a few simple taps away.
6. Turn Your Old Cell Phone Into A Web Cam
If you just need to follow along with a meeting, the approach above is fine, not so much if you’re discussing something and have to share your computer. If you don’t have one on your desktop, or if the one on your laptop isn’t working, that’s where turning your smartphone into a webcam helps.
In the Google Play Store, there are many apps that claim to morph your Android device into a webcam. DroidCam provided the simplest setup with the most accurate performance, out of the few that I tried. I do not doubt that to get this done, there are more smart, app-free options, but for the sake of convenience, this is what we’re going for here.
7. Alarm Clock With Your Old Cell Phone
Speaking about cool things to do with your old cell phones. An old phone with a dock will make your desk or nightstand a snazzy, customizable clock. A great place to start is Google’s own Clock app, particularly if you want to use the clock for alarms. In the Monitor section of your system settings, look for the ‘Screensaver’ option to make it activate automatically whenever your computer is plugged in.
8. TV Remote Controller Out Of Old Cell Phone
Even the oldest junk Android smartphone has enough power to support your home or office as a smart remote. That can be a helpful way to monitor your different smart devices and multimedia components without having any special access (or your own current personal phone in hand) for you and everyone else around.
To make your old Android device a dedicated remote for components such as televisions, cable boxes, and DVD players, install an app. If a built-in IR blaster is on your computer, it usually comes with its own built-in software that you can customize to fit with your entertainment setup. If it does not have an IR blaster, try searching for unique applications in the Google Play Store to monitor your components. Brands such as Panasonic, Comcast Xfinity, AT&T U-verse, DirecTV, Roku, and Android TV have such programs available.
9. Drone Remote Controller Out Of Old Cell Phones
With the latest craze with drones, drones such as the DJI 2 Pro Mavic requires you to connect the controller of the drone to your smartphone to operate it. Using your old cell phone as the device to connect to your controller is a great way to keep your current cell phone operational such as receiving calls etc.
It’s a bummer when you connect your cell phone to fly your drone, and then you have incoming calls or messages coming through while you’re flying.
In addition, the battery drainage when you use your current cell phone is another not-so-pleasant aspect when using your phone as a drone controller.
That’s why using your old smartphone to control your drone is a much better way of flying.
10. Using An Old Cell Phone As A E-Book Reader
As mentioned above, with battery usage. Instead of draining the battery on your current cell phone. Why not have a dedicated E-Book Reader using your old cell phone.
If you find yourself browsing through e-books at night and constantly reading e-books. It’s not a bad idea to turn your old cell phone into a dedicated e-book reader.
11. Turn Your Old Cellphone Into An Audiobook Listening Device
The same goes for Audiobooks. Wether you read or listen to absorb information. Turning your old cell phone into a dedicated Audiobook listening device is another cool idea.
If you’re interested in a great Audiobook site, Audible is one of the best programs out there when it comes to Audiobooks.
Follow this link to try Audible Plus for free! Which offers unlimited listening to Audiobooks
12. Music Player Using An Old Cell Phone
Whether you want a quick and easy way to play music in your home, car or garage. Turning your old cell phone into a music player is a great way.
With programs such as pandora or spotify. You can easily stream music using your old cell phone.
You could even use it to play MP3’s as well. Without worrying about using your current phone and draining the battery.
13. Recycle Your Old Cell Phone Or Sell For Extra Cash
There are a range of physical and online locations where you can actually get cash for your old phone. Prices rely on the handset, carrier, condition and where you turn to, so make sure you search around to find the best deal. Prices differ.
14. Emergency 911 Phone
Also without a SIM card or linked data plan, US law mandates that all phones be able to dial 911. That means, no matter how old your phone is, it will be able to communicate with emergency services as long as it has electricity. The call should be able to go through even in situations where there would usually be minimal service. Although you’re likely to have your phone with you at all times, just in case, it can’t hurt to have a backup unit. For example , in case there’s an emergency, you might keep an inactive phone in the car. You may also provide an elderly relative with the decommissioned system that does not have a mobile device, but can use a simple way to reach emergency services just in case.
15. Use Your Old Cell Phone As A Spare
In my travel bag, I still have a spare phone (assuming things ease up someday and I can go on the road again). Like a broken, lost, or stolen smartphone, nothing can hamper a ride. When you’re away from home, if your main ride goes astray, it can be a literal lifesaver to pick up a SIM card from a vending machine or tobacconist and pop it into a spare, and it’s a lot cheaper, easier, and less difficult than buying a new phone in a strange city or country.
16. Take Apart Your Old Cell Phone
For others, there is an elementary satisfaction in taking things apart and seeing what makes them tick. For years, your old telephone has been part of your life; aren’t you curious to see what’s inside? Sites like iFixit provide detailed instructions for teardowns. The advanced course is good reassembling. You might even be able to reassemble it with just a few extra parts left over with patience, luck, and ability, and maybe a few odd resources you can find online.
Bottom Line
Don’t throw away your old cell phones. Instead put them to good use. Such as turning it into a surveillance camera with the help of apps like Alfred. Hand your old phone down to your kids with the Family Connect app from Google to track their screen time and access apps they choose from the Play Store. Use it As a gaming device, Set up your old Android smartphone with an app for Skype, Hangouts from Google, Zoom or whatever the case might be.
Even the oldest junk Android smartphone has enough power to support your home or office as a smart remote. Using your old cell phone as the device to connect to your drone controller is a great way to keep your current cell phone operational such as receiving calls. It’s not a bad idea to turn your old phone into a dedicated e-book reader. If you’re interested in a great Audiobook site, Audible is one of the best programs out there when it comes to Audiobooks. Recycle Your Old Cell Phone Or Sell For Extra Cash There are a range of physical and online locations where you can actually get cash for your old phone. US law mandates that all phones be able to dial 911 no matter how old your phone is.
