If you have finally decided to change your phone, congratulations! Have you already thought about what to do with your old terminal? Instead of keeping it in a drawer until the end of time you may want to sell it, but unless it is a top-of-the-range or relatively current mobile, they most likely won't give you a lot of money for it. So why don't you look for him a different utility and do you recycle it to get more out of it? At least it will always be better than having him around picking up dust.
In fact, today's smartphones are still small computers with significant processing power, plenty of storage space, and a good camera. The uses that we can give it are almost infinite, and the limit is only established by our imagination and the desire we have to sauce and “get our hands dirty”.
1. Turn your old Android into a webcam
In these times, video conferencing apps such as Zoom, Skype or Google Meet have become an indispensable communication tool. One of the best ways to breathe new life into our old Android is to turn it into a webcam or video chat tool.
On the one hand, Skype-like applications work perfectly with Wi-Fi, so it is not even necessary for the mobile phone to have a SIM card inserted. And if you want to go one step further, you can also turn your phone into a webcam for your PC. After all, smartphone cameras are generally much better quality than most computer webcams.
2. Transform your mobile into a Nintendo Game Boy
If you like classic video games, you will surely have installed a retro emulator for Android. The idea is great since we can connect a bluetooth gamepad and play as if it were a portable console (personally, I am not a fan of using the touch screen for this type of game).
However, we can still go one step further and plug our old Android into a Hyperkin SmartBoy Mobile Device. The connection is made through the USB C port, and allows us to turn our mobile into a full-fledged Game Boy or Game Boy Color, with its slot for cartridges and everything. The ultimate retro experience!
3. Turn your Android into a Google Home smart speaker
Giving new life to your mobile by turning it into a Google Home speaker is the easiest thing in the world and does not require the installation of any additional app. It is enough that we have a version of Android compatible with the Google Assistant that accepts “OK Google” commands. Then synchronize the mobile with a Bluetooth speaker and make sure they always remain on. The best way to have a Google Home assistant without spending the 99 euros that the official Google speaker is worth.
4. Take advantage of your Android as a universal remote control
They already said it in the Lord of the Rings: "A command to attract them all and tie them to the darkness" or something like that ... If your old Android has an infrared sensor you can use it as remote control for tv. You only need to install a free app like TV remote or Anymote and start to give it a shot.
But the thing is not there, since you can also put other apps such as Unified Remote for control the pc remotely via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Or even install an application like Universal Remote Control and synchronize the mobile in addition to the TV other devices such as projectors, air conditioners, DVD / BluRay players, Home Theater and more.
5. Use your mobile as a video surveillance camera
Another of the most common uses that we can give to an obsolete smartphone is turn it into a home security camera. If we have small children at home and we want to have their room monitored, or we want to install an IP webcam to be able to see our house, the portal or any other area, even when we are at work this is an excellent option.
All we have to do is install a free app like IP Webcam and in a matter of a couple of minutes we will have a camera that we can view from our home Wi-Fi or with an Internet connection from anywhere on the planet.
Access to the broadcast is really practical and easy to useYou can see more details on how to configure a video surveillance camera in THIS POST.
Finally, mention that we can also use an app like Sleeping, specialized in baby monitoring. Do not lose sight of it!
6. Use the phone as a wireless mouse
Imagine that your computer mouse has broken down and you don't have any to spare. While you wait for the nearest computer store to open or for your Amazon order to arrive, you can continue working thanks to your old Android. Install an app like Remote Mouse or Remote link and in a matter of seconds you will be able to use the screen of your mobile as if it were a wireless mouse via wifi.
As an occasional user of this type of tool, I can assure you that the experience is not comparable to that of a real mouse, but they do their job perfectly and can save us more than one scare in the face of last minute unforeseen events. Do not forget it!
Related post: How to use your smartphone as a mouse for PC
Works both via WiFi and Bluetooth7. Turn your cell phone into a music player
Years ago devices such as iPods were luxury products, but today any mobile can store thousands and thousands of songs and take them wherever we want to listen to music On the go. Even the most crappy and plastic mobiles on the market have more features than the legendary portable player that Apple released in 2001.
Erase all your personal data, format your Android mobile and install your favorite multimedia applications. Connect the device to Bluetooth speakers or insert a headset and enjoy your favorite artists anytime, anywhere. Below you can take a look at some of the best audio and video players for Android:
- The 10 best video players for Android
- Top 10 Music Players for Android
8. Use your old mobile as a photo store
Photos are taking up more and more storage space, so a good way to breathe new life into your old mobile is to use it as a trunk or photo store. At the end of the day, it would be a shame to waste those 32, 64 or 128GB of internal space that most current mobiles include. Something that can be great for us to free up space on our new mobile.
We can also take the opportunity to take the old mobile camping or to places like the beach, and take photos without fear of water entering it or being damaged by an unwanted blow.
Do you know other alternative uses to reuse and continue giving life to our old mobile phone? If so, do not hesitate to visit the comments area.
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