5 ways you can repurpose your old Android phone

So you’re ready to upgrade your smartphone to one of the best new Android phones and don’t know what to do with your old one? We’ve all been there before, something I know well with my spare wardrobe full of old smartphones. Old phones have sentimental value. These are, or were, your most personal companions. However, you don’t want them to fail either. Well, there is a solution for these time consuming devices. Actually, there are several.

Here are some of the best ways to repurpose your old Android phones to breathe new life into old hardware.

1 A multipurpose camera

One smartphone, four different options

One of the most common online tips for repurposing your old smartphone is to turn it into a camera. And as it turns out, there are plenty of ways to use the camera on your old Android phone for new use cases.

For example, apps like Alfredo will let you repurpose your old smartphone as a security camera. The free version of the app is enough to get you started and gives you features like live streaming as well as motion detection. However, you’ll have to make do with ads.

Pick up a subscription and it turns your smartphone into a reliable security camera with HD recording, cloud storage, detection zones and more.

But that’s not the only use case for your smartphone camera. Droid Dashcam can turn your old Android phone intovideo camerafor your car. The app includes some in-app purchases to unlock full functionality. Still, it’s easy to record videos with GPS-based speed stamps, time stamps, background recording, and the ability to lock videos in the event of a crash. Like a real camera, the app can automatically delete old video files if it runs out of storage space. The only downside to using your phone as a surveillance camera would be the sheer size, but it can work if you don’t want to spend money on new hardware or need a rental car camera.

There are also plenty of Android apps that can work as baby monitors; the aptly named BabyCam app does just that. Place your old smartphone at a comfortable angle, plug in the charging cable and install the app on your phone. Install the same on your current phone. That’s it. Now you can keep an eye on your child, listen to them, and even use the app to save a cute photo or video of your little one.

And, of course, there’s the quintessential webcam suggestion. Although Google has made this feature part of Android 14, the likelihood that your old smartphone is running the latest and greatest version of Android is pretty slim. So use an app instead. Camo is one of the best solutions at handturn your smartphone into a webcam. The app can use any camera on your phone, supports portrait mode, and can be used wirelessly. What’s more, the app supports resolutions up to 1080p, ensuring that your video stream is as high quality as possible.

2 Dedicated music player

When you want undisturbed listening

One of my favorite use cases for an old Android phone is to use it as a dedicated music and audiobook player. It sits on my nightstand and every night before I’m ready to crash, I end up listening to an hour or more of my favorite podcast or book.

I also update my phone with some of my favorite playlists. Now you might be wondering why wouldn’t I just use my phone for this? Well, the answer to that is practicality. Having my playlists preloaded on my phone means that whenever I go out for a run, I just grab my phone and head out. Same for travel. I don’t have to dedicate precious main phone storage to store offline playlists.

Moreover, a phone designed for playing music is very convenient to use at home parties. Instead of lending out my main phone to guests, everyone has access to my music phone to stream the best Spotify playlists or radio streams. It’s an original solution to a first-world problem, but it sure is convenient.

3 Dedicated 2-factor authenticator

Backup for your secure authentication

Two-factor authentication is one of the most secure ways to protect your online services from unwanted access. But unless you use an authenticator like Authy that maintains a network backup of your codes, the only copy of your codes is the one on your phone. If you lose your phone or end up breaking it, you’re out of luck.

I use a backup phone as a secondary authenticator. WITHTOTPset to my backup phone, I know I always have another way to log in. Additionally, I keep a list of backup codes in a safe place on my phone. Of course, this phone stays off the internet and off in my drawer, and I hope I never have to use it.

4 Emulation console

Plug in the controller and you’ve got a bona fide console ready to go

I can’t stand microtransactions and the state of modern Android gaming. My interests are vintage retro games. Moreover, I prefer to play games in their original format. Give me the SNES version of Chrono Trigger via HD remaster.

One of my favorite use cases for older smartphones is to use them as a dedicated emulation console. Every phone made in the last few years can comfortably play games right up to the plus-sized PlayStation Portable. In fact, you can even play PlayStation 2 titles on your phone if it’s powerful enough.

I tend to pair my phone with my PlayStation DualSense 5 controller for full-sized controls, but you can opt for a telescoping controller like the Razor Kishi to create your own retro-themed Nintendo Switch.

5 Digital photo frame

Don’t let your memories get stuck in your browser window

Before the Apple iPhone sleep mode on iOS 17, there was the Fotoo app. Paired with a desktop stand, I still use it on older Android phones and tablets to turn them into a digital photo frame.

The application works with both local storage and cloud storage and can show off your favorite photos in full glory. In addition, there are many options here, including the ability to display the date, time, and time as a layer. It’s also possible to customize things like photo order, transitions and play background music, if you prefer a bit of flair with your memories.

It’s easy to set the app to launch on startup, ensuring it’s ready to go whenever you boot up your phone.

Bonus: Your favorite external phone

I’ve had my fair share of falls as an avid marathoner and hiker. However, I’m not too confident in my foldable smartphone’s ability to withstand unexpected slips down a rocky trail, nor am I ready to commit to a rugged phone just yet.

This is where my old smartphone comes in handy. When I go for a run, I’ll pop in my SIM card to have easy access to stream music or make phone calls in an emergency. I’m not going to be checking social media while running am I?

For shorter hikes, I keep my favorite social media apps handy. I usually also have a few playlists pre-downloaded. Smartphones have come a long way, and a phone from a few years ago is still competent enough to take good photos in bright light. And if I drop it, it’s not a big loss.

While those are a few of the ways I usually use my old Android phones, there’s a lot more to discover. For example, you can use your old phone as a smart TV remote control. Or, perhaps, run a 3D printing server on it. The possibilities are endless. Leave a comment below if you have any interesting use cases for your outdated smartphones.