Sure, you could sell it or trade it in. But you could also turn it into something useful for your home.
This year has been packed with cool new Android phones, like the Note 10/10+ and OnePlus 7T, which leaves so much temptation to upgrade your old phone to one of the new devices. And while selling or trading in your old phone is a great option to lower the overall cost of buying a new device, it’s not the only approach.
If your phone’s too old to command a high trade-in value, or you’re looking to save some money on a wireless mouse or security camera, you could hold onto your old device and repurpose it into something you’ll actually want to use.
After all, smartphones are small, powerful computers with storage space and a camera. Your phone makes a handy substitute for lots of other electronics — you can even turn it into a home security camera or diagnose your car’s mechanical problems.
Use your Android as a universal remote
It’s great having one remote that can do everything — think Click, the Adam Sandler movie. OK, maybe not that extreme. But being able to control all of your devices from one remote is a relief. Download a remote control app, such as iRule and then sync your phone to devices including your Xbox One, Roku and Apple TV.
If you have smart light bulbs, you can sync your phone to those as well. Follow these tips on how to turn your device into a universal remote so you never have to wonder where your TV remote is hiding again.
Turn your Android into a wireless mouse
It can be annoying when your wireless mouse dies on you with no warning. It helps to have a backup, and you can turn your phone into a mouse in no time. You’ll need to download an app, such as Remote Mouse, in order to do so.
Once you have the app, connect your phone and desktop to the same Wi-Fi network and say bye-bye to that old-school mouse. Keep it in your laptop case for when you’re on the go and stop by a coffee shop to get some work done.
Keep your old phone as a music player
Free up storage space on your new phone ( Especially for iPhones ) by using your old phone as a media player. Since you have a new phone, you can wipe all the data off your old phone (except your music and music apps).
You’ll be able to add as many songs as your old phone will allow without worrying about how much storage you’re using. Hook it up to your surround-sound speaker if you’re having a party and let the fun begin.
Read this tutorial to help transfer and import music into Android phone.
The great thing is you’ll be able to leave it in one place and won’t have to worry about incoming calls and messages interrupting your tunes.
Originally published earlier this year.
Turn your old Android into a Nintendo Game Boy
You can play video games everywhere you go when you turn your Android into a Nintendo Game Boy. All you need to get started is a compatible Android phone and a Hyperkin Smartboy Mobile Device.
In order to play the games, you’ll need to purchase Game Boy cartridges (unless you still have them). But you can also play Game Boy Advance ($310 at Amazon) apps if you don’t have the retro cartridges.
Turn your Android phone into a Google Home
Repurposing your Android phone to be a Google Home smart speaker is simple and requires no app downloads. Make sure your phone is updated to the latest Android OS so you have “OK, Google.” Next, you’ll need to find a Bluetooth speaker to pair your phone with. Make sure both devices stay plugged in and on at all times. You’ll be ready to give Google commands in no time. The best part is you won’t have to spend $129 on a Google Home. Learn more about what you can do with a Google Home here.
Mobile Data Transfer to Simple yet effective solution for transferring mobile content
- Transfer almost all files, including contacts, video, SMS, photos, call logs, music, Ebook and apps between Android and iOS.
- Comprehensive contact copy, including job title, email addresses, company name, etc.
- Selectively transfer data between phone to phone.
- Free Trial
You can follow Syncios on Twitter, Facebook for more tips and tricks.
For Windows
For Mac OS
