That opens up loads of fascinating prospects: You could possibly use your previous machine as a ready-to-go backup cellphone in case your common one is ever lacking, damaged, or low on battery; you could possibly use it as a devoted hotspot to beam out cell knowledge entry with out draining your main cellphone’s battery; or you could possibly use it as an always-connected on-the-go slate to your youngsters (whats up, airport video-streaming) with out having to pay for an additional line of service.

13. Make it your reside window into the world

Don’t have the best view out of your desk? Let your previous Android cellphone or pill be your window to wild and thrilling locales.

To get began, seize the EarthCam Webcams app from the Google Play Retailer. It’ll offer you one-touch entry to a formidable record of reside streaming cameras around the globe, from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans’ well-known Bourbon Road to the swooshing serenity of Niagara Falls. Pull up any view you want, then faucet the icon to go full-screen and gaze the day away. If you end up craving some selection, you may think about upgrading from the app’s free assortment to a set of 175 reside cameras for a one-time $5 charge.

You will discover fairly just a few mobile-friendly reside cameras on the internet as nicely: Pull up your machine’s browser and check out the San Diego Zoo’s assorted animal cams — together with a penguin cam, koala cam, and tiger cam, amongst different unique views — or the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s extensive underwater cams for much more “aww”-inducing choices.

14. Convert it right into a digital photograph body

Ah, reminiscences. Snag an affordable stand, plug your machine into its charger, and switch it right into a cloud-connected photograph body to your house or workplace.

In the event you use Google Images, simply open up the app, faucet on any photograph in your fundamental library or inside a particular album, after which faucet the three-dot menu icon within the upper-right nook of the display. Scroll horizontally alongside the menu that seems and choose “Slideshow.” The app will cycle by means of your images and offer you loads of reminiscences to mirror upon while stress-free or caring for enterprise.

In case your previous Android cellphone is a Pixel, you may also set it on one in all Google’s official Pixel Stands to start out an ever-evolving Images-linked slideshow displaying any particular albums and even particular individuals you need.

15. Use it as a devoted e-reader

Need a distraction-free studying surroundings to your subsequent enterprise journey or public transit commute? Load up your previous Android machine with solely the apps you want for studying — Google Play Books, Amazon Kindle, Nook, or no matter tickles your text-ingesting fancy.

You possibly can even borrow books out of your native library: Test along with your nearest department for data on tips on how to do it or obtain the free OverDrive app, which is utilized by a wide range of libraries, faculties, and establishments.

Make sure to disable notifications from Gmail and different noisy apps — heck, even change the machine into airplane mode when you’ve downloaded the content material you want — and also you’ve acquired the equal of a devoted e-reader with out all the standard cellphone or pill temptations.

16. Rework it right into a devoted desk calendar

Dock your previous machine in your desk and put it to work as your private calendar. Google’s personal Calendar app can get the job finished with loads of productivity-oriented components, or the free DigiCal Calendar Agenda app offers you an much more graphical and customizable interface that’s completely suited to this function.

DigiCal is free with an non-compulsory $5.50 upgrade for further themes and customization choices.

17. Deal with your self to a devoted audio participant

The concept of an iPod could seem amusingly antiquated at this level, however there’s one thing to the thought of getting a devoted machine for the particular function of enjoying podcasts, music, and even just a few method of white noise.

By outsourcing that process to an previous Android machine, you may grant your self the liberty to go away your present cellphone behind if you’re figuring out, doing one thing exterior, and even simply taking a break from enterprise on the weekend — and get rid of the temptation to maintain checking your inbox or different work-related distractions.

You can even give your self an effective way to take heed to audio whereas touring with out having to put on down your main machine battery throughout a protracted day of flights.

18. Make it a mounted command middle for a non-connected automobile

Save your self the effort of futzing round along with your present cellphone in your automobile by turning your previous machine into an always-available command middle for a automobile that doesn’t have its personal built-in equal.

Simply discover a first rate automobile dock and mount the machine someplace protected. Make sure to plug it into your automobile’s energy port and join it to the stereo (through Bluetooth or a 3.5mm headphone jack). Then, both use your main cellphone as a hotspot to maintain it on-line or go the economical route and obtain any vital music and directions earlier than you hit the highway, whilst you’re nonetheless linked to Wi-Fi.

All that’s left is to open up the Google Maps app and begin a navigation — or say Hey Google, driving mode, if the machine is current sufficient to function Google Assistant — and also you’ll be shifting full-speed forward with a simplified interface and ready-to-roll voice instructions.

19. Flip it right into a kid-friendly studying instrument

Your previous pill could seem drained to you, nevertheless it’s nonetheless top-notch tech by toddler requirements — so why not flip it right into a enjoyable and academic gadget to your child?

On most moderately current tablets, you will discover a local Restricted Profile feature proper inside the working system: Simply head into the system settings, faucet “Customers” (or “Customers & accounts” after which “Customers,” relying in your OS model), after which “Add person or profile.”

Choose the choice so as to add a restricted profile. You’ll be prompted to allow or disable entry to every app put in on the pill, permitting you to manage precisely what processes your progeny will and gained’t have the ability to use.

In case your previous machine has Android 7.0 or greater (or Android 5.0, on a restricted variety of fashions), Google’s Family Link program may give you much more sturdy controls — together with the skills to set screen-time limits and obtain weekly exercise stories. You possibly can be taught extra and enroll on the Family Link website.

20. Let it function a high-tech e-clock

Time for one thing new? An previous cellphone with a dock could make a snazzy customizable clock to your desk or nightstand. Google’s personal Clock app is a superb place to start out, particularly if you wish to use the clock for alarms. Search for the “Screensaver” choice within the Show part of your system settings to make it routinely activate anytime your machine is plugged in.

21. Convert it right into a gaming machine to your downtime

Put down the briefcase and summon your internal Pac-Man: Foolish as it could appear, your previous Android machine is a mini-arcade simply ready to be referred to as into motion. (Hey, all of us want the occasional break from working, proper?)

To finish your machine’s Sport-Boy-like transformation, simply surf the Play Retailer for some video games — you may even discover emulators for console-level programs, if (ahem) you know where to look — after which degree up by grabbing one in all Moga’s common Android recreation controllers, out there for $56 and up.

22. Preserve it useful for emergencies

Any cellphone could make emergency calls, even when it’s not linked to lively service. Preserve an previous cellphone charged and in your automobile or journey bag; if one thing dangerous occurs and your lively cellphone is both useless or unavailable, you’ll nonetheless have a approach to get by means of to 911.

23. Flip it into your private testing floor

Android is a tinkerer’s dream. It usually doesn’t take an excessive amount of sorcery to root, or achieve system-level entry to, an Android machine — and when you’ve finished that, you open up a complete new world of prospects. You possibly can set up highly effective root-only functions and even change your machine’s total working system with a customized ROM filled with contemporary options and superior customization potential.

Anytime you begin poking round beneath the hood, although, you threat screwing one thing up. And when the machine in query is your main cellphone or pill, that may be a frightening gamble to take (particularly since rooting a tool normally violates its guarantee).

That’s the place an previous cellphone or pill can come into play. Put in your hacker’s hat and do a Google seek for “root [your device name]” after which “[your device name] ROM.” There’s an enormous group of Android fans on the market, and also you’ll nearly definitely discover some useful user-generated guides to get your self began.

24. Promote it

This one’s simple, proper? In any case, what’s previous to you is new to another person. You possibly can go the common route and record your machine on Craigslist or eBay — or you may test in with a extra area of interest service like Swappa or Gazelle to get an prompt estimated worth to your machine. Amazon and Best Buy additionally each provide buyback applications that could be value investigating.

No matter you do, be sure you head into your machine’s system settings and carry out a full manufacturing facility reset earlier than passing something alongside. You’ll in all probability additionally wish to take away any reminiscence playing cards you might need added, in case your previous cellphone or pill has an exterior storage slot.

25. Donate it

Feeling philanthropic? Relaxation assured: There’s no scarcity of organizations able to put your previous Android machine within the palms of somebody who may actually use it.

A number of prospects value contemplating:

• Medic Mobile: This nonprofit group recycles previous telephones and tablets after which makes use of the proceeds to buy new telephones for well being employees in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The employees use these telephones for issues like monitoring illness outbreaks and speaking in emergencies. You possibly can print a pay as you go transport label on the Medic Mobile website.
• Cell Phones For Soldiers: This nonprofit sends previous telephones together with free worldwide calling service to troops serving abroad from all branches of the U.S. army. You possibly can donate a tool by discovering a neighborhood drop-off level or requesting a mailing label.
• Rainforest Connection: This nonprofit makes use of previous telephones to guard threatened rainforests in Indonesia, Africa, and the Amazon. How? The gadgets are fitted with photo voltaic panels for vitality in addition to specialised software program that makes use of their microphones to watch for the sound of unlawful chainsawing after which alert close by rangers to the exercise (yes, really!). You possibly can donate a tool by mailing it to the organization’s California headquarters.

So there you will have it: 25 intriguing choices for giving new life to your previous machine. Work out which one most closely fits you — and ship these gadget-dwelling mud bunnies packing.

This story was initially revealed in August 2014 and most just lately up to date in Could 2023.