Some Cool Ways to Reuse Your Old Android Phone
If you have finally decided to change your phone, congratulations! Have you thought about what to do with your old terminal? Instead of keeping it in a drawer until the end of time, you may want to sell it, but unless it is a top of the range or relatively current mobile phone, chances are you won’t get much money for it. So why don’t you look for a different utility and recycle it to get more out of it? At least it will always be better than having him lying around picking up dust.
In fact, today’s smartphones are still small computers with significant processing power, plenty of storage space and a good camera. The uses that we can give it are almost infinite, and the limit is only established by our imagination and the desire we have to sauce and “get our hands dirty”.
Turn Your Old Android Into a Webcam
In these times that video conferencing apps like Zoom, Skype or Google Meet have become an indispensable communication tool. One of the best ways to breathe new life into our old Android is to turn it into a webcam or video chat tool.
On the one hand, Skype-type applications work perfectly with Wi-Fi, so it is not even necessary for the phone to have an inserted SIM card. And if you want to go one step further, you can also turn the phone into a webcam for the PC. At the end of the day, smartphone cameras are generally much higher quality than most computer webcams.
Transform your mobile into a Nintendo Game Boy
If you like classic video games, surely you have installed some retro emulator for Android. The idea is great since we can connect a bluetooth gamepad and play as if it were a portable console (personally I’m not a big fan of using the touch screen for this type of game).
However, we can still go one step further and plug our old Android into a Hyperkin SmartBoy Mobile Device. The connection is made through a USB C port, and allows us to turn our mobile into a full-blown Game Boy or Game Boy Color, with its cartridge slot and everything. The ultimate retro experience!
Turn Your Android Into a Google Home Smart Speaker
Giving new life to your mobile by turning it into a Google Home speaker is the easiest thing in the world and does not require the installation of any additional app. It is enough that we have a version of Android compatible with the Google Assistant that accepts “OK Google” commands. Then pair your phone with a Bluetooth speaker and make sure they always stay on. The best way to have a Google Home assistant without spending the 99 euros that the official Google speaker is worth.
Take Advantage of Your Android as a Universal Remote Control
They already said it in the Lord of the Rings: “A remote control to attract them all and tie them to the darkness” or something like that … If your old Android has an infrared sensor, you can use it as a remote control for the TV. You just need to install a free app like Mando TV or Anymote and start to hit it off.
But the thing does not stop there, since you can also put other apps such as Unified Remote to control the PC remotely via wifi or Bluetooth. Or even install an application like Universal Remote Control and synchronize the mobile phone in addition to the TV other devices such as projectors, air conditioners, DVD / BluRay players, Home Theater and more.
Use Your Mobile As a Video Surveillance Camera
Another of the most common uses that we can give an obsolete smartphone is to turn it into a home security camera. If we have small children at home and we want to have their room monitored, or we want to install an IP webcam to see our house, the portal or any other area, even when we are at work this is an excellent option.
The only thing we have to do is install a free app like IP Webcam and in a matter of a couple of minutes we will have a camera that we can view from the home wifi or with an Internet connection from anywhere on the planet. You can see more details on how to configure a video surveillance camera in THIS POST. Finally, mention that we can also use an app like Dormi, specialized in monitoring babies. Don’t lose sight of her!
Use The Phone as a Wireless Mouse
Imagine that your computer mouse is broken and you don’t have any spare. While you wait for the nearest computer store to open or for your Amazon order to arrive, you can continue working thanks to your old Android. Install an application like Remote Mouse or Remote Link and in a matter of seconds you can use your mobile screen as if it were a wireless mouse via Wi-Fi.
As an occasional user of this type of tool I can assure you that the experience is not comparable to that of a real mouse, but they do their job perfectly and can save us more than a scare in the face of last minute unforeseen events. Don’t forget it!
Turn Your Cell Phone Into a Music Player
Years ago devices like iPods were luxury products, but today any mobile phone can store thousands and thousands of songs and take them wherever we want to listen to music On the go. Even the most seedy and plastic phones on the market have more features than the legendary portable player that Apple released in 2001.
Erase all your personal data, format your Android mobile and install your favorite multimedia applications. Connect the device to Bluetooth speakers or insert headphones and enjoy your favorite artists anytime, anywhere. Below you can take a look at some of the best audio and video players for Android:
Use Your Old Mobile As a Photo Warehouse
Photos are taking up more and more storage space, so a good way to breathe new life into your old mobile phone is to use it as a trunk or photo warehouse. After all, it would be a shame to waste those 32, 64 or 128GB of internal space that most current mobiles include. Something that can come in handy to free up space on our new mobile.
We can also take the opportunity to take our old mobile phone for camping or to places such as the beach, and take photos without fear of water getting inside or being damaged by an unwanted blow.
Final Words:
Do you know of other alternative uses to reuse and continue giving life to our old mobile phone? If so, do not hesitate to stop by the comments area.
