Almost every home has one or two smartphones tucked away in a drawer, forgotten and gathering dust. Most times, these are older devices that were replaced by newer models, or phones that developed a fault and never made it back to use. What many people don’t realize is that those idle devices still hold value, and could easily be repurposed in creative ways or be turned into cash, even if they’re faulty. Whether it’s an iPhone you upgraded from or an Android that stopped working properly, there are smart things you can do with your old phone instead of letting it sit unused.
So in this article, I’ll tell you 7 simple and clever ways that you can reuse your old phone and make it useful again. Plus a bonus tip at the end.
7 Smart and Easy Ways to Give Your Old Phone a New Purpose
1. Turn It Into a Dedicated Media Player
The first clever trick that we have for you is to make it into a dedicated media player. Think of it as turning your old smartphone into a mini entertainment hub. You could turn your phone into a make-shift iPod that would be dedicated solely to downloading and playing music, audiobooks, and podcasts.
Even if your phone was decommissioned for the reason of not having enough storage, these are things that don’t take that much space at all, so even a low storage device would be able to carry out this task without issues.
If you want to do this properly, then we suggest that you keep this phone and have all the music and books stored on its local storage to conserve battery and storage.
The only apps that you would need to have would be apps like Spotify, VLC, or Pocket Casts. This would help you to better utilize the space that you have on your device while still making sure that it remains useful.
2. Make It a Smart Home Remote
Another neat little way that you can utilize your older phone is as a smartphone remote. Some older phones would make for good remotes for your electronics, like your smart TVs, lights, thermostats, or even security cameras. Though this trick could be limited to phones that have IR blasters, so some phones won’t be able to do this well.
But if your phone can work for this, then apps like the Google Home, Alexa, and Roku are a must-have for you to turn your phone into a specialized smart home command center and help you have access to all your smart appliances on one nifty device, rather than having to purchase multiple remote controls.
3. Use It as a Security or Baby Monitor
You could also turn your old and damaged smartphone into a security monitor or a real-time camera for your home. This means that your old device could help you keep watch over your child or pet rather than sitting idle and collecting dust on the bottom shelf.
For you to make that happen, then apps such as the AlfredCamera or Manything would work best in turning your mobile device into a reliable monitoring device. You would also need to make sure that it has a constant supply of energy, preferably plugged in once you set it up and connected to a reliable WiFi to ensure its effectiveness.
4. Transform It Into a Travel Companion or GPS Device
If you like traveling, or if you find yourself in a new place with new people of different cultures every now and then, this is another way of putting your old phone to good use. You can turn your phone into a dedicated travel buddy, using it for things like navigation, translation, or offline maps during travel.
To get the most out of this setup, install travel-friendly apps like Google Maps (in offline mode) and TripIt. With these on your old phone, you can rely on it as your dedicated travel companion while on the move, helping you navigate, plan, and explore, all without risking your main device during your trips.
5. Create a Digital Photo Frame or Alarm Clock
Perhaps your device is one that isn’t powerful enough to do anything that we have mentioned on this list. Is that the case? Then this particular tip is basically universal.
Any phone can function as a dedicated digital photo frame or alarm clock.
To make this happen, you might need to get a photo frame app or widgets like a minimalist desk clock app. We would also suggest that you tilt more towards wireless charging to ensure a cleaner set-up that makes it more appealing, as the app helps you automatically shuffle between photos on the device.
6. Sell It for Cash (Instead of Letting It Collect Dust)
If repurposing your old device feels like too much work and you’d rather go for a more practical and rewarding solution, there’s a simple alternative.
Even if you decommissioned your old phone due to damage and simply didn’t want to fix it, selling it for cash is a smart move. Believe it or not, even outdated, cracked, or damaged phones still hold resale value; money you can put to good use.
There are several ways to do this: using trusted tech buyback platforms, selling it yourself online, or taking advantage of carrier trade-in programs. Whatever route you choose, it’s wise to weigh the pros and cons of each method.
Wondering “Where is the best place to sell your old device for the most money?”. That’s where the bonus tip comes in.
Bonus Tip: Best Place To Sell Your Old Device For The Most Cash – The Whiz Cells
At The Whiz Cells, we understand how much your phone means to you, and we also know how important it is to get the best value when selling it.
Here’s why selling your iPhone with us is the smartest, safest, and most profitable choice:
- Instant Valuation: Get a quick estimate of your phone’s worth in just a few steps.
- Fast & Reliable: Turn your old phone into cash quickly, with a process that’s smooth, trackable, and trustworthy.
- Hassle-Free Payment: Once your phone is inspected, payment is sent within 24 hours to your chosen method.
- Trusted Buyer: Skip the risk of scams and unreliable buyers. We buy devices directly and securely.
If you’re ready to sell your old phone, don’t waste time with uncertain tips or risky platforms. Do it the quick, easy, and reliable way with The Whiz Cells; you might be surprised at how much your phone is still worth.
One Device, Endless Possibilities
So here’s the summary of it. Whether you intend to repurpose your old phone into something useful or sell it and make some cool cash, the main point is to make sure that your phone is not wasting away at the bottom of your drawer.
But if you intend to sell your phone, then do it the right way. The Whiz Cells is your go-to platform for getting the best deal that’s safe, fast, and easy.
Head over to TheWhizCells.com and sell your cell phone for the most cash.
FAQs on Clever and Simple Things To Make Your Old Phone Useful Again
1. How to make an old phone useful?
Even if it’s no longer your main device, an old phone can still be very useful. You can:
- Use it as a dedicated media player for music, podcasts, or videos.
- Turn it into a security camera or baby monitor using apps like Alfred or Manything.
- Keep it as a backup phone for emergencies.
- Use it as a smart home controller for devices like smart lights, thermostats, or speakers.
2. How to bring an old phone back to life?
If your phone feels slow or buggy, try these steps:
- Clear storage and uninstall unused apps to free up memory.
- Update the OS and apps to the latest version your phone supports.
- Factory reset if it’s still sluggish (back up your data first).
- Replace the battery if it drains quickly; a fresh battery can make a huge difference.
3. What does #21 do to your Android phone?
Dialing *#21# on most Android phones checks the call forwarding status for your device. It shows if your calls, messages, or data are being forwarded to another number, but it does not change any settings on its own.
4. What can I use an old mobile phone for?
Your old phone can have multiple purposes:
- Media player for music, movies, or audiobooks.
- Gaming device for casual mobile games.
- Dedicated GPS or navigation device for your car.
- Learning tool for kids to explore apps safely.
- Home automation hub to control smart devices.
5. How to make an old phone run like new?
To restore speed and performance:
- Remove unused apps and large files.
- Clear cache data from apps regularly.
- Install a lightweight launcher to reduce strain on the system.
- Restart your phone regularly to refresh memory.
- Consider a factory reset for a complete fresh start.
6. How to sell an old phone for the most money?
The best way to get the highest value for your old phone is to sell it directly to The Whiz Cells. We make the process simple, secure, and fast. You can get an instant valuation of your device, ship it to us for free, and receive payment quickly once it’s inspected. As a trusted buyer, we eliminate the risks of scams or unreliable buyers, ensuring you get top value for your phone safely and easily.