Before you throw away your old iPhone, consider it a treasure trove of possibilities waiting to be unlocked.
These seemingly obsolete devices are more than just electronic waste. A versatile gadget for an exciting second life. From a smart home hub to a dedicated digital companion, your old iPhone can be repurposed in countless creative ways to breathe new life into technology you never thought of before.
Here are some of the best ways to use your old iPhone.
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woman looking at iphone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
1. Change to “dumb phone”
Smartphones are extremely powerful, but they can also be overwhelming. Constant notifications and social media updates can make it difficult to concentrate and enjoy the moment. If you feel like your iPhone is more of a waste of time than a productivity tool, why not turn your iPhone into a “dumb phone”? It’s a basic mobile device focused on communication capabilities, but with limited internet access and app functionality, allowing you to minimize digital distractions, reduce screen time, and feel more present. Helps maintain.
Steps to disable apps and notifications
Disable notifications:
Open “Settings” and tap “Notifications” Select each app and toggle “Allow notifications” to off
Delete unnecessary apps.
Long press the app icon on the home screen and tap “Delete app”
Factory reset (optional):
Back up your data if needed by going to (Settings) > (General) > (Transfer or Reset iPhone) > (Erase All Content and Settings)
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2. Give it to the children
Eventually, you may decide to give your child their own smartphone. New phones can be expensive, but giving away your old iPhone is a great way to get your hands on the technology while being budget-friendly.
Family Sharing and Parental Controls let you closely monitor the apps and content your kids access. Additionally, this is a great way to incorporate them into 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. Select “Family Sharing” and tap “Add Family Member” to invite your child. If your child doesn’t have an Apple ID, choose Create an Account for Your Child and follow the onscreen instructions to set up an account. If your child already has an Apple ID, tap Invite People. , choose how you want to send the invitation (AirDrop, Message, or Email).
Enable parental controls:
Open Settings, scroll down and 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 onscreen instructions to set it up as your child’s device. When prompted, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Enter your Screen Time passcode (you’ll need to create one if you don’t already have one). (Content and Privacy Restrictions) toggle on. You can now customize settings such as app limits, content limits, and downtime settings to suit your needs. To limit apps, tap App Restrictions, select categories or individual apps, and set time limits. To limit explicit content and purchases, go to the Content and Privacy Restrictions sections.
This process helps you effectively manage your child’s device usage while ensuring that your child has access to appropriate content.
A child playing games using an iPhone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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3. Reuse 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. Newer models are better suited for this purpose, but older iPhones also work as great webcams, especially for online meetings and video calls.
Instead of purchasing an external webcam, your old iPhone can provide excellent video quality. iOS 18 also lets you turn your old iPhone into a dedicated continuous camera for Apple TV, perfect for FaceTime and Zoom calls with family and friends.
Steps to use your iPhone as a webcam
Download a webcam app: 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 In the video settings Select iPhone: Video conferencing app (such as Zoom or FaceTime), select iPhone as the camera source
Instead of purchasing an external webcam, your old iPhone can provide great video quality.
4. Make it a dedicated music player
Why use your primary iPhone for music when you can repurpose your old iPhone as a dedicated MP3 player? Set up your old iPhone as a music player, without the distractions of text messages and social media notifications. , enjoy your favorite songs and podcasts. It’s the perfect solution for working out, long drives, or whenever you want to concentrate while listening to music.
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A woman using her iPhone as a dedicated music player (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
5. Use as a remote control or smart home controller
If you have an Apple TV, you probably already know that your iPhone can act as a remote control. However, leaving your main phone tied to a remote control can be inconvenient. Turn your old iPhone into a dedicated Apple TV remote to control your TV without using your primary phone.
Steps to set up your old iPhone as a remote control
Set up Apple TV remote functionality.
Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your old iPhone (swipe down from the top-right corner). Tap the Apple TV remote control icon and follow the onscreen instructions to connect.
Manage your smart home devices.
Download a smart home app, such as Apple Home, or a device-specific app, such as Philips Hue. Follow the app’s instructions to add and control devices.
Your old iPhone can also act as a hub for all your smart home devices, from adjusting your lights and thermostat to checking your security cameras.
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6. Save for games
Smartphones have transformed mobile gaming. Your old iPhone could be the ideal portable gaming console. Many classic and modern games run smoothly on older iPhone models, and subscription services like Apple Arcade give you access to a huge library of high-quality games. This is a fun and low-cost way to enjoy mobile gaming without draining your primary iPhone’s battery life.
iPhone game app (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
7. Convert to e-reader
For book lovers, using your old iPhone as a dedicated e-book reader is a great option. You can install apps like Kindle and Apple Books from the App Store. The iPhone’s display is perfect for reading books and graphic novels, and since you’re not using your primary iPhone, you won’t have notifications interfering with your reading experience.
You can disable all apps and notifications on your old device for a calmer reading experience. Plus, you can connect your AirPods and listen to audiobooks while you’re on the go.
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Cart important points
Just because you’ve upgraded to a new iPhone doesn’t mean you need to throw away your old one. From increasing productivity to controlling your smart home, there are countless ways to reuse it. This will extend the life of your product and maximize the value of your purchase.
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