Most of us have old cell phones and tablets that we may no longer be using. Technology changes so rapidly that we feel the need to update our devices often.
But what about the older phones and tablets? It seems a waste not to use them. Let’s talk about some ways to repurpose them.
Kitchen Helper
Find a convenient place to secure the phone or tablet. You can buy an inexpensive mount to hold the device.
Use the old phone or tablet to look up recipes and other information, watch videos or TV shows or listen to music while you are working in the kitchen. You might also want to download a shopping list app and add to your grocery list as you come across items you need.
Anylist is a free grocery list & recipe organizer. It can be shared with others so that everyone in the family can add items to the list. Available for iOS and Android.
Universal Remote
There are many apps in the Google Play Store and in the Apple Store that you can use to turn your tablet or phone into a remote control for your TV, computer or Mac. One app is called Unified Remote and it is available for Android and iOS. To quote their website, “The one-and-only remote-control app for your computer. Turns your device into a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth universal remote control for Windows PC, Mac and Linux. Be lazy, you deserve it! Preloaded with support for 90+ programs including mouse & keyboard, media players, presentations, screen mirroring, power control, file manager, terminal, and much more”
Another app called Universal TV Remote lets you use your tablet or phone to control your TV.
There are many similar apps available. Just search the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. Be sure to install only certified, approved apps.
Set Up a Pet Cam, Baby Cam or Security Cam
Why spend money on a camera when you can use a device you already have? Need to monitor your pets at home while you are away? How about setting up a camera in the children’s room or nursery? Or perhaps setting up a security camera to capture the activity at your entry doors? There are a lot of apps that can do this. One is called Alfred Home Security Camera, Baby Monitor & Webcam. Alfred
The app is free, but they do have a paid version that offers more options. You need two devices for it to work. You can use your current phone or tablet as one device and the old tablet or phone as the second.
Sleep & Meditation
You can also use an old tablet or phone as an alarm clock or white noise machine. You might also like to install a meditation app to help you relax at bedtime. There are tons of free apps available just search the Apple or Google Play store for an app that meets your needs.
Photo Viewer
Setup a digital photo viewer. Show visitors family pictures without passing around your main phone. You can set it up so that the photos scroll continuously in a loop if you like. This works best on a tablet since the screen is larger. Use it during graduation parties, birthday parties, anniversaries or other special occasions to show off your photos. Having your photos on another device also serves as a backup for your treasured pictures.
Video Conferencing Hub
Set up a designated area in your home as a video conferencing hub. This gives you a quiet area to communicate with colleagues, family and friends.
Remote Learning
Many schools offer remote learning. An older tablet can be used for schoolwork and for communicating with teachers and classmates.
Play Games, Watch TV or Videos and Listen to Music
You can use the tablet or phone to play games or as a dedicated video or music player. There are tons of free music apps available, videos and TV shows to watch and you can play games online or download game apps.
eBooks & Audio Books
If you have a library card you can use OverDrive Media or the Libby app to borrow from your library for free. Just like borrowing a regular book the OverDrive and Libby apps allow you to reserve and borrow eBooks and audiobooks and then simply return them when finished. And most libraries now offer online library card sign up so you can apply for a card at a few different libraries, then if one library does not have the book you want another may.
There are several websites that offer free audio and eBooks as well.
LibriVox
They are a non-commercial, non-profit and ad-free website. All of their content is free. They are operated by volunteers who read the audiobooks. If you would like to volunteer, they accept people from all around the world. They also have a message board where you can talk about books and find out what kind of volunteers they are looking for. Librivox
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is an online library for free eBooks. The website says that they were founded by Michael Hart who invented eBooks in 1971. They offer free epub and Kindle eBooks. You can download them or read them on their website. Project Gutenberg
Loyal Books
They offer free public domain audio and eBooks. Loyal Books
These are just a few ideas on how to repurpose your old phone or tablet. If you don’t want to repurpose those devices you can donate them to charity or sell them.
Donate
Cell Phones for Soldiers
The phones are given to members of the military. They provide free talk time for service members and their families. They also accept donations of tablets and MP3 players.
Goodwill
Goodwill will take almost any electronic device.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
This is a great organization that helps victims of domestic violence. They partner with Cellular Recycler to refurbish old electronics and in doing so they receive a portion of the profits to support their cause.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Second Wave Recycling
They take part in a recycling program for electronics and the proceeds benefit pet, children’s and veteran’s charities.
Donate Locally
You can also give locally to someone you know that may be in need or call around to local schools, libraries, nursing homes, retirement communities and veterans organizations and ask them if they take donations.
Sell
Sellcell
Enter the item you would like to sell and they compare prices from 40+ buyback companies to get you the best price for your phone or tablet. They have different buyers and most pay by PayPal or check.
OC Buyback
They will buy some phones, tablets and other electronics. They offer free shipping. They pay by PayPal or check.
Usell
They buy phones, tablets and other electronics. They offer free shipping. They also allow you to sell in bulk. You can receive your payment by PayPal or check. The buyer will issue payment within 5 business days of receiving your device.
Clear your Data
When donating or selling any old electronics, be sure to restore the device to factory settings to remove your personal data.
Zealous Quickly