Wondering what to do with old cell phones and tablets? Here are 8 handy ideas
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A recent survey found that more than 25% of people have at least five old cell phones around the house that they no longer use. Considering how quickly phones become outdated these ...
Posted — UpdatedBut the problem is that many people just don’t know what to do with old cell phones and tablets. While tossing them in the trash is never a great option, reselling or recycling a used device comes with security concerns about the data that was on it — even if you think you’ve deleted everything important.
If you’ve got a junk drawer or a box of old gadgets in the basement, consider repurposing those electronics to do other jobs around your house! If you can still charge it, power it up and make a Wi-Fi connection, consider using that powerful piece of dusty tech to make your life easier in another way.
Here are some ideas of what to do with old cell phones and tablets without tossing them out.
Use It as a Digital Photo Frame
You’ve probably saved hundreds — if not thousands — of digital pictures over the years. These images of your family, friends, pets and favorite places are an excellent way to treasure memories without having to take up physical space around the house.
Why not enjoy them every day with a DIY digital photo frame made out of a dated tablet or cell phone with a decent screen? Apps like PhotoCloud Frame Slideshow for Android and LiveFrame for iOS devices can turn any old device into a dynamic picture frame.
Use It as a Security Camera
Next, you’ll need to find a place to install the old phone where it can record the area you want to keep an eye on, such as the front porch. Keep in mind the device will also need to be close to a power source since it will be running constantly. Once it’s set up, you can start monitoring the camera.
Make a Dedicated Video-Chat Station
Much like a traditional landline telephone, your tablet-turned-chat device will stay at the ready for incoming video calls. And, just as quickly, you can easily grab a cup of tea and reach out to your loved ones without having to fret over your current device’s battery level.
Use It as a Smart Remote Control
Brands like Roku and Amazon Fire TV also have dedicated free apps available for controlling their streaming devices. Some apps also include a voice-control function, so you can search for what you want by simply saying it into your old device’s mic!
Turn It Into a Smart Speaker
Add an Alexa-enabled or Google Home device to any room using an old cell phone or tablet.
Use It as an E-Reader
This way, you can always have a fully charged e-reader with no concerns about using too much storage space with your book downloads!
Use It as a Digital Cookbook
No need to lug a big, heavy, hardcover cookbook to the counter each day. You can keep your old tablet or phone in the kitchen to store digital recipes or look up new ones in a snap.
Use It as a Digital Clock
You may already use your current phone as an alarm clock, but you could repurpose an old one into a permanent clock for your bedside table or another area.
With so many options for what to do with old cell phones and tablets, you might be glad you hung onto them in the first place!
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