Before you throw out your an old iPhoneconsider it a treasure trove of potential waiting to be unlocked.
Your seemingly outdated device isn’t just electronic waste. It’s a versatile gadget ready for an exciting second life. From turning it into a smart home hub to a dedicated digital companion, an old iPhone can be repurposed in countless creative ways that breathe new life into technology you might not have considered.
Here are some of the best ways to use your old iPhone.
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A woman looks at her iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
1. Turn it into a ‘dumb phone’
Smartphones are incredibly powerfulbut they can also be devastating. Constant notifications and social media updates can make it difficult to focus or enjoy the present moment. If you find your iPhone more of a time waster than a productivity tool, why not turn it into a “dumb phone”? A “dumb phone” is a basic mobile device that focuses on essential communication functions like calling and texting, while minimizing digital distractions with limited internet access and app capabilities, helping you reduce screen time and stay more present.
Steps to disable apps and notifications
Disable notifications:
- Open settings
- Touch Notifications
- Choose every application and turn off Allow notifications
Delete unwanted apps:
- Press and hold application icon on the home screen
- Touch Remove the app
Factory reset (optional):
- Back up your dataif necessary
- Go to settings > General > Transfer or reset your iPhone > Delete all content and settings
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2. Give it to your children
Eventually, you may want to give your child their own smartphone. While a new phone can be expensive, handing in your old iPhone is a great way to do so introduce them to technology while taking care of your budget.
By using Family Sharing and parental control, you can carefully monitor which applications and contents your child accesses. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce them to the Apple ecosystem.
Steps to set up Family Sharing and Parental Controls
Set up Family Sharing:
- Open settings and tap your name at the top.
- Choose Sharing with family and tap Add a family member call your child.
- If your child doesn’t have an Apple ID, choose one Create an account for the child and follow the instructions to set up your account.
- If they already have an Apple ID, tap Invite people and choose how you want to send the invitation (AirDrop, Messages or Mail).
Enable parental controls:
- Open settings and scroll down to tap Screen time
- In the Family section, tap your child’s name
- If Screen Time isn’t already enabled, tap Turn on Screen Time
- Follow the instructions to set it up as your child’s device.
- Touch Content and privacy restrictions
- If prompted, enter yours Screen Time Password (you will need to create one if you haven’t already)
- Turn on turn on Content and privacy restrictions
- Now you can adjust the settings such as application restrictions, content restrictions, and shutdown settings, as appropriate.
- For app restrictions, tap Application limitationsthen select categories or individual apps to set time limits.
- To restrict explicit content or purchases, go to corresponding sections under Content and Privacy Restrictions
This process will help you effectively manage your child’s device usage while ensuring they have access to appropriate content.
A child uses his iPhone to play games (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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3. Repurpose it as a webcam
In recent years, Apple’s Continuity Camera feature has made it easy to use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac or Apple TV. While newer models work well for this purpose, older iPhones can still serve as excellent webcams, especially for online meetings and video calls.
Instead of buying an external webcam, your old iPhone can deliver top-quality video. iOS 18 even allows older iPhones to work as dedicated Continuity cameras for Apple TV, which is ideal for FaceTime or Zoom calls with family and friends.
Steps to use your iPhone as a webcam
- Download webcam apps: Consider apps like EpocCam or DroidCam from the App Store
- Connect your iPhone: Follow the app’s instructions to connect your iPhone to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi
- Select your iPhone in video settings: In a video conferencing app (such as Zoom or FaceTime), select your iPhone as the camera source
Instead of buying an external webcam, your old iPhone can deliver top quality video.
4. Make it a dedicated music player
Why use your main iPhone for music when you can repurpose your old one as a dedicated MP3 player? With your old iPhone set up as a music player, you can enjoy your favorite songs or podcasts without the distraction of text messages or social media notifications. It’s the perfect solution for exercise, long drives or when you just want to relax with music.
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A woman uses her iPhone as a dedicated music player (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
5. Use it as a remote or smart home controller
If you own an Apple TV, you already know that your iPhone can function as a remote control. However, keeping the main phone connected to the remote can be inconvenient. By turning your old iPhone into a dedicated Apple TV remote, you can still enjoy controlling your TV without using your primary phone.
Steps to set up your old iPhone as a remote control
Set up the Apple TV remote feature:
- Make sure both devices are cconnected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Open it Control center on an old iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner)
- Tap on Apple TV remote control icon and follow the instructions to connect
Management of smart home devices:
- downloading smart home applications as Apple Home or those specific to your devices (e.g. Philips Hue)
- Follow along application instructions to add and control devices
Your old iPhone can even be a hub for all your smart home devices, from adjusting lights and thermostats to checking security cameras.
6. Save to play
Smartphones have transformed mobile gaming, and your old iPhone could be the ideal portable gaming console. Many classic and modern games run smoothly on older iPhone models, and with subscription services like Apple Arcade, you can access a huge library of high-quality games. This is a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy mobile gaming without draining your main iPhone’s battery.
Game application on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
7. Turn it into an e-reader
For book lovers, using an old iPhone as a dedicated e-reader is a great option. You can install apps like Kindle or Apple Books from the App Store. The iPhone screen is perfect for reading books and graphic novels, and since you’re not using your main iPhone, there are no distractions like notifications to interrupt your reading.
You can disable all apps and notifications on your old device, making it a quiet reading experience. Plus, you can still connect your AirPods to listen to audiobooks on the go.
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Just because you’ve upgraded to a new iPhone doesn’t mean you have to ditch your old one. There are countless ways to repurpose it, from increasing productivity to managing your smart home. In this way, you can extend its life and increase the value of your purchase.
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What other devices would you like tips on how to breathe new life into? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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