Some Creative Ways to Reuse Old Android Smartphones

There's probably a drawer or a box someplace in your house full of old wires and at least one old phone that you can't seem to get rid of. It's difficult to let go of something you paid a lot of money for. 

Cell phones aren't cheap, even if they're old, and they have special meaning from years of communications, memes, and mobile games.

Those pressures add up until you're left with a huge box of obsolete and worthless technology taking up room and collecting dust in a closet. Only, maybe that old phone isn't useless. 

ADVERTISEMENT

CONTINUE READING

Even though it's a few years old and no longer connected to active cell service, it's still one of the most remarkable computing machines humanity has ever created.

 That outdated phone has more computer power than some planetary space missions (via NASA), so you may as well put it to good use.

With a little imagination, you can give an outdated Android phone a new lease of life.

Some best ways to use old smartphones

Following are the creative ways to reuse old Android Smartphones

A totally universal remote control

The key to getting the most out of an ancient phone is to recognize all of the features it still possesses, even without phone coverage. Most of its functionality is dependent on a wireless connection, which you are very certain to have in your house, making it the ideal command center for all of your home equipment (via AARP).

ADVERTISEMENT

CONTINUE READING

At the start, erase any unwanted junk from your phone or do a factory reset. Then, install the applications you'll need to control your TV, music, and other devices. 

There are a variety of universal remote applications available in the Play Store to manage your physical television operations such as power, volume, and channel shifting ( Android Authority)

The majority of your television viewing is most likely done through streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. Each of those services has its own specialized app that will operate perfectly on an outdated phone. 

In addition to television, you can use Google Home or Amazon's Echo platform to link your Android to smart home gadgets. 

After an hour or two of installing the appropriate applications and connecting them to your home electronics, an old Android will be transformed into a global control tower for any smart item you possess, nicely bundled into a single device.

Participate in scientific research

As already said, even an old phone contains significant computing power that may be put to good use. Giving scientists accessibility to your old phone when you're not using it might advance scientific research.

The Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Processing (BOINC) project was designed by UC Berkeley researchers to capture the underused computing capacity of idle computers and cell phones. 

It should be compatible as long as your phone supports Android 2.3 or later.

Researchers are scouring radio telescope data for pulsars, searching for more effective medicinal cures, and doing other tasks (via Berkely News). 

Berkely claims that the combined computational capacity accessible in the world's Android phones exceeds that of supercomputers. 

The good news is that you don't have to use your outdated Android for scientific research all of the time. You can continue to utilize it as necessary, and BOINC will draw processing power while it is idle.

The possibilities for using your phone for scientific purposes do not end there. According to Popular Mechanics, there are many more research groups that use smartphone data to analyze things like air quality and dangerous sounds. 

You're only a few taps away from repurposing your old phone for the greater good.

ADVERTISEMENT

CONTINUE READING

It may be used as a remote computer terminal

Computers play an important role in our lives. Mobile devices are fantastic for accessing social networks and email, but most of our crucial files and information are often saved on a computer and are not always accessible from a distance.

If you need to access files on a desktop or laptop that you've left at home, having a remote option to connect to your data might come in handy. 

You may use your old Android to remotely see and operate your computer as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection and it isn't too outdated.

As long as Chrome is installed, Google's Chrome Remote Desktop browser provides remote access to a computer, and it's quite simple to use (per Digital Trends). 

According to Machine World, you need first prepare your computer for connections by installing the Chrome Remote Desktop plugin. In the extension, give your computer a name and set a PIN.

After that, download the Chrome Remote Desktop app for Android and ensure it's linked to the same Google account. 

Your computer should appear as an option, and after entering the PIN you created, you should be able to access and manage it from the phone

CCTV surveillance camera

Several customer security systems available at large box stores consist of a camera, a wireless connection, and a companion app. Those are probably capabilities that your previous Android already possesses. 

Almost certainly, your Android already has a camera, maybe one that is better than a specialized security camera. 

It can also connect to Wi-Fi, and a suitable security camera app may be downloaded with a few clicks.

There are several security camera mobile apps on the Play Store ( Digital Trends), and which one is best for you will depend on your requirements. 

Many of them support a two-way connection with another smartphone, which means you may use your old Android as the camera while seeing the video it records on your current handset.

Simply select a location for it, preferably somewhere it can be plugged in so you don't have to take it down and charge it on a regular basis and switch on your new digital monitor. 

A recycled dashboard device may hold your phone in place while your at-home Wi-Fi keeps it connected.

You may even place it in a child's room or elsewhere in your home to keep a watch on your children or pets while you're out.

Attain your old gaming desires

Because Android is quite favorable to classic game emulators, numerous retro gaming devices are created on the Android platform. It's worth noting that the use of system emulators and game ROMs is, at best, illegal.

 Slashgear does not advocate breaking any laws. That being said, it is simple to transform your old Android into a powerful gaming device loaded with all of your favorite childhood games (via Make Use Of).

There are several emulation applications available on the Play Store; selecting the ideal one is dependent on the types of games you want to play as well as your own tastes. Try with them to find the best one for you.

Once you've installed the emulator, you'll need to locate ROMs for the games you wish to play. There are several approaches to this. 

You may locate and download ROMs straight from the phone's browser and access them from the download folder inside the emulator. 

You may also transfer them from a computer to your phone if you have the proper cord.

Retro game files are often tiny, so even an antiquity Android phone should be able to handle hundreds of games. 

Many emulators include a controller overlay that places the game controls directly on the screen, but linking your new gaming device with a phone-compatible controller takes things to the next level.

An all-purpose eReader

There are hundreds of eReaders on the market, each intended to quickly bring a world of literature to you. The only issue is that many of them are only available on specific platforms. 

Transferring your Nook books to a Kindle, or vice versa, may be time-consuming at best.

Fortunately, most eReader systems feature smartphone-compatible companion applications (Android Authority). 

Your old Android could potentially store every possible reading app, including free ones like Overdrive, which connects to your local library and provides free access to eBooks and audiobooks.

The best part is that when you've downloaded your library, you no longer need an internet connection and can take your whole collection of eBooks and audiobooks with you wherever you go. 

When you're ready for fresh material, all you need is a short connection at home for an update.

Lifeline in an emergency

There are a few items you should always carry in your car, if possible, to make your driving experience safer and easier in the event that something goes wrong. An old phone is an excellent addition to this list.

The FCC mandates cellular service providers to connect a caller to 911 via any available network, regardless of whether they have an active connection at the moment (Techwalla). 

That is, as long as your phone is turned on and can connect to a network, you may dial 911. Having an outdated Android charged and in your glovebox might make the difference between receiving emergency aid and not.

Furthermore, emergency workers can utilize mobile tower data to assist in locating you if you become lost. So, if you're leaving your car for an off-the-beaten-path trek or camping vacation, bring a fully charged old phone with you in case your primary gadget dies or breaks.

Make use of it as a webcam

A decent webcam is more crucial than ever in the era of Zoom. You may not have a camera at all, depending on the type of desktop or laptop you're using. 

Even if you do, it may be of poor quality, transmitting fuzzy photographs of yourself to friends and coworkers through the internet.

Your old phone probably has a better camera than you could afford, so why not use it to address a common problem? 

According to PC Gamer, an Android phone can be used as a camera and will exceed most off-the-shelf webcams in terms of image quality.

You'll need a few items to make it work. The first and most significant app is a webcam app, which allows your phone to interface with your computer. 

There are various free and paid programs that will do the job (Android Authority), but keep in mind that some of the free ones will include a watermark. You have the option of connecting your phone to the computer through Wi-Fi or a wire.

Music player with unique controls

Do you miss the days of dedicated music players like the first-generation iPods? You may recreate those days by modifying an old Android phone to play your music. 

Using the same logic as the specialized eReader, you can design a device that caters to all of your aural demands. It won't take you all the way back to your childhood iPod, but it will get you fairly close.

According to Lifewire, the first step is to remove any superfluous programs. You may rapidly accomplish this by performing a factory reset or manually deleting, hiding, or otherwise tucking away anything you don't want.

When you're not connected, you may take downloaded music with you, and when you're at home or near Wi-Fi, you'll have the extra benefit of streaming music.

 The greatest thing is that your music, audiobook, or podcast listening will not be disrupted by apparently endless notifications, texts, and phone calls.

Suddenly, you're taken back to a time when you could lose yourself in your music without having to check social media or respond to messages.

Make it a Google Home hub

Many of us now have smart home technology in our houses. You'll need the means to operate your equipment, whether you have a Chromecast or a few smart lightbulbs. 

Getting a smart display, such as Google's Nest Hub, is one of the most popular solutions. They're convenient and perform exactly what they're supposed to, but they may be expensive. Google's Nest Hub Max costs $229. (via Google).

If you have an old Android lying around, it can probably accomplish much of what a Nest Hub can do, and getting it set up can be far less expensive.

You're almost there if your phone has an upgraded version of the Android operating system and can recognize "Okay, Google" instructions (via CNET).

Voice commands will manage your smart home devices in the same way as a Nest Hub would, and you can configure the phone to display the same calendar reminders, weather, and other information that a Hub display often does. 

The auditory responsiveness of an Android handset falls short of that of a specialized device. You can get around this by connecting the phone to an external speaker through the aux port or Bluetooth.

Even if you must purchase a speaker, your out-of-pocket expense will be a few dozen dollars rather than several hundred.

Make a donation

If you don't want to reuse your old phone and just want to get it out of your rubbish drawer, the most popular approach is to toss it away. That, however, comes with its own set of concerns. 

Some of the components found inside your phones, such as lead and mercury, are potentially hazardous and should be recycled properly (via Time). 

Instead of throwing away or recycling your old Android, consider giving it to a worthy cause.

So will you know that your phone will not end up in the garbage, where it might pose a risk, but you'll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you helped someone else? 

There are several firms and charity groups that will accept your old phone and either find it a new home or sell it and use the revenue to continue their excellent work.

Your old phone might provide a much-needed connection to someone else, and aid in preventing illegal deforestation. If you have an old phone lying around collecting dust, find a charity that shares your beliefs and make a contribution

The command center of your vehicle

One of the primary advantages of reusing an old phone, as you've obviously observed, is the absence of distractions from being continuously connected. 

When you're driving, there's arguably no better moment to be free of clutter. Keeping this in mind, an old Android phone can do most of the features you require while driving while blocking out the noise.

Stick your old Android in your car using a windshield or dashboard attachment and use it for navigation, media playback, or as a dashcam.

While you won't have a regular network connection, certain GPS applications may save their maps on the phone when you're not connected to the internet, allowing you to utilize them while driving. You won't get traffic updates, but you will arrive at your destination.

It's as simple as installing an app like DailyRoads Voyager from the Play Store to turn your phone into an onboard dashcam. 

It provides continuous recording with cyclical storage, ensuring that your phone's storage never runs out, with older movies removed to make place for new ones. 

They're also timestamped and geotagged, so you'll have all the information you need if something goes wrong while you're driving.