How to use old broken phones. How to use an old Android smartphone

One problem with tablets is that they become obsolete quickly. This mainly applies to Android devices, but the iPad is also affected by this problem. Until recently, you used your tablet to its fullest, and now you suddenly found out that the manufacturer does not intend to release a new version of the OS for it. Old programs stop updating, the device starts to slow down, clearly hinting that it’s time to go to the store for a replacement.

At the same time, sometimes a paradoxical situation arises: your tablet is still powerful enough for new versions of Android, but there are no updates for it. At the same time, cheaper and less productive new devices work with the latest versions of Android.

Of course, owners of Android tablets can try installing custom firmware. Provided that enthusiasts have ported LineageOS or AOSP to your device. If a miracle does not happen, buying a new tablet cannot be avoided.

But what to do with the old one? If you're sad to throw away your working iPad or Android tablet, here are some ways to put it to good use.

1. Media center

There are many applications for streaming music and videos for Android and iOS. In addition, many Android tablets, even quite old ones, are equipped with HDMI connectors for connecting to a TV and a mini-jack for audio transmission. Put it all together and you get a good media center for those who haven't got a SmartTV.

Connect the tablet to the TV, turn on YouTube, any streaming service and listen to music, watch videos even on a TV that does not have an Internet connection.

2. Torrent client

Why not? There are many for Android and iOS. In addition, some Android devices allow you to connect external drives via an OTG adapter. Set up several torrents for downloading, after connecting the tablet to the power supply, and here you have a ready-made torrent client. Make sure to turn off the battery saver feature, which turns off the Internet connection when the screen goes dark in some versions of Android.

3. Remote control

Many smart TVs, media centers like Android TV, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or media servers like Kodi or Plex allow you to control them through Android or iOS apps. Just install the appropriate app and make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. That's it, now you don't need a remote control.

In addition, there are many applications for remote control of your computer through commands from Android or iOS. So you can control not only your TV and media center, but also your desktop computer via Wi-Fi.

4. Desktop news source

Do you often minimize the windows on your computer in the middle of the working day in order to once again look at your feeds on social networks or the news? Forget about it. Set up your tablet to show you Gmail, RSS feeds, Twitter feeds, or Facebook feeds all the time. Turn off screen dimming, place your tablet vertically on a table using a dock or mount, and look at it whenever you wonder what's happening on the Internet.

A tablet becomes especially useful if you need to watch something, but you cannot minimize the open window. Some hardcore gamers customize their tablets to show them the system temperature using an app.

5. External monitor

An old tablet will come in handy if you want to get an external monitor, but don’t want to pay for it. Just install the Android or iOS app and connect your tablet via Wi-Fi or directly via USB to charge it at the same time. Now part of your desktop (albeit not very large) will be displayed on the tablet. Cheap and cheerful.

6. Guest device

When guests ask to connect to your Wi-Fi, this is all well and good, but what if they want to connect to the Internet and have forgotten all their gadgets? You don't have to give them your personal devices - save an old tablet for guests. He certainly won't feel sorry for him. Additionally, most versions of Android and iOS have a “guest mode” specifically for this purpose.

7. Webcam

Unless you need a fancy camera that recognizes faces and facial expressions, you can get by with a tablet camera. For monitoring the apartment while you are not at home, or for video communication, this is the best thing. Connect the device to a video server on your computer, for example, using this application and record the image from the camera. Feel like Sam Fisher.

You can also turn your old tablet into a video communication device by installing Skype or one of its . This thing may be useful to your retired parents if they don’t want to buy a full-fledged laptop, but want to be in touch.

8. Home weather station

Do you live in a private house outside the city? Of course, you can spend money on all sorts of smart gadgets like a thermostat or barometer with Wi-Fi connection, but why if an old tablet can show you the weather, temperature, barometric pressure and moon phases?

Hang the gadget on the wall, connect the charger, turn off the display dimming and expand some widget to full screen. Fortunately, there are so many of them on Google Play and the App Store that there is nowhere to put them.

At the same time, set up your “weather station” to signal if it’s going to rain - this way you’ll have time to bring home things left outside. And in addition, it can be used as an alarm clock.

9. Game console

Even the oldest and low-power Android tablets and iPads are still tens of times more powerful than older consoles. So why not take advantage of this? Install any emulator of your choice and play the hits of your childhood.

And if you find a compatible gamepad for your tablet and connect the gadget to your TV, you can lose your life for several hours.

10. Car navigator

On your way to work, you probably dock your smartphone in your car to listen to music or check which streets are best to avoid traffic jams. You can use an old tablet for the same purpose, and you won't have to worry about leaving it in the car overnight. Tablets with a small screen diagonal, such as the Nexus 7, are best suited for this.

Just don't watch TV shows while you're driving. Please.

11. Alternative to a smart speaker

Your old tablet can do almost the same thing as a smart speaker. You can install Alice from Yandex or any other voice assistant of your choice and get a budget replacement for acoustics. Yes, the tablet, unlike the speaker, does not have a 360-degree speaker or advanced microphones. But such a device costs less, because you already have it.

Those designed to work with two SIM cards are far from “champions” in terms of reliability. It’s better, after changing the device to a more functional one, continue to carry the old one with you, but with a second operator’s card.

Don't rush to change your phone just because it's old. Just replace the battery and continue using it. A clamshell or slider device can be made operational again by replacing the worn-out cable. This will require a special set of screwdrivers and about twenty minutes of free time.

Turn your unwanted phone into a . Turn off all sound signals in it, organize constant charging of its battery from the on-board network through the board removed from the cigarette lighter charger. Disguise it as one of the car blocks, observing fire safety measures. Do not forget to use any paid service from the SIM card installed in it at least once a year, otherwise it will be blocked. Connect to the phone search service, which every operator has today. In case of theft, such a device may help you find your “iron horse”.

If you are not satisfied only because it does not have GLONASS or GPS applications, add this function to it by purchasing a special navigation attachment. It has no buttons (except for the reset button) or a screen, and it exchanges information with the device via the Bluetooth interface. Don't forget that the set-top box also has a battery that needs to be charged.

Related article

Tip 2: What can be done from an old mobile phone

No matter how high-quality and good a thing is, after some time it inevitably deteriorates and breaks. However, it would be a pity to simply throw it away, because it served for several months or years. In this case, you should turn on your imagination and think about what you can make of it. Get a few ideas to help you find unexpected uses for your old mobile phone.

First of all, do not rush to make some unique thing out of an old mobile phone. Perhaps you will be able to sell it more or less profitably. To do this, you can contact a store that sells used devices, or place an advertisement for the sale of a phone in a local newspaper/online.

You can also use your old mobile phone for a second SIM card or give it to your grandmother. It won't be difficult for her to learn how to use it if it doesn't come with a lot of features.

What can be done from an old mobile phone if its casing is damaged?

In this case, it will be very useful to come up with an exclusive design for an old mobile phone using improvised means. For example, you can make an original case from a pack of cigarettes, knit or sew it and decorate it with beads.

As a result, you will get a unique thing that you won’t be ashamed to show off to your friends. In addition, you can try to make a car alarm or a USB camera for online communication from an old mobile phone.

Don't want to put in extra effort? In this case, just give yourself a relaxing self-massage. Turn on vibration mode on your phone and enjoy the pleasant sensations.

What can be done from an old mobile phone if its display is damaged?

This part of the mobile phone breaks down very often. If the device falls to the ground one or more times, at best an unaesthetic scratch will appear, and at worst, the display will stop showing anything at all. If this is your situation, don't be discouraged.

A damaged display can be replaced with another one. The cost of such repairs for older devices is relatively small. In addition, you can use the device as an independent mobile device to listen to uplifting music.

The only thing you will need to worry about is the speakers. If the model is very old, you will need an adapter to the connector on the outdated device.

What can you do with an old mobile phone if it won’t turn on at all?

If the old device is completely out of order and in general, you can arrange a mobile phone throwing competition with your friends. Surely you have several friends who also don’t know what can be done from an old mobile phone when nothing works in it.

This way you can have quite a fun time, and at the same time meet your friends whom you have not seen for a long time. So, in an open area, place an empty box at some distance (for example, 5-7 meters) and start holding a competition for accuracy. Alternatively, you can bet which of you will abandon your mobile phone further. Fun and!

If this option doesn't suit you, make a puzzle. Take your old cell phone apart and then try to put it back together when you don't know what else to do.

If you don’t want to break or disassemble your favorite thing, start collecting a collection of old mobile phones. Perhaps in some 10-20 years they will already become a rarity.

Finally, one more idea that may be useful to you: leave the cover from an old mobile phone and make a cigarette case.

A modern telephone is no longer just a means of communicating with friends and relatives. Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with a built-in mp3 player and camera. A modern phone is almost a computer, it has a processor and an operating system, with its help you can organize and plan your entire work day, watch high-quality videos, or even get from one point of the city to another using GPS navigation.

Any high-tech gadget becomes obsolete over time. Of course, you can sell it and buy a new one, but is it worth it? With current technological progress, it can be difficult to sell an old smartphone or tablet even for twenty dollars. Instead, you can put the old man to good use by replacing it with other things, and even save a lot of money. I'll tell you how to do this.

If your old tablet is lying around idle, why not put it on the nightstand and set it up to display photos? At a minimum, you can include a slideshow from the gallery. But it is better to install a special application. It will show photos from third-party sources (500px), the time, the weather, and a bunch of other things.

An example of good applications of this class is Social Frame HD or Senior Frame . You can run it at night ClockPlus DayDream or a clock with hands, and you will get a smart night light. Naturally, screen blanking needs to be disabled: "Settings > Display > Sleep > Never"

Another option is a home video surveillance system. Here we have two solutions: Silent Eye with automatic motion detection and subsequent sending of photos via MMS or email, or IP Webcam , allowing you to receive a video stream in real time through a website.

The first solution is good because it allows you to, as they say, set it and forget it. If someone breaks into the house, you will receive a message and a photo of the intruder (if you're lucky). Plus, such a program can work for about ten hours on a single battery charge. The second option is suitable for those who need to always monitor what is happening, but in this case you need to keep in mind that the stream will also be available for viewing by application/web service developers.

An old smartphone can be used as a Wi-Fi repeater (an access point that distributes the Internet through another access point), allowing you to increase the range of your Wi-Fi network. To do this you can use the application fqrouter2 , originally created to bypass the Great Firewall of China, but later acquired many functions.

Creating a repeater using it is quite simple:

1. We install the program from the developer’s website (the program was removed from Google Play due to its “suspicious” activity in the system).
2. Immediately after launching and granting root rights, swipe the screen to the left, scroll to Wifi Repeater and click Config. Specify the access point name and password and save the settings.
3. Press the OFF switch.
4. If the access point does not work, go back to the settings, press the Disable Wifi P2P button and try to turn it on again.

The repeater requires Android 4.0+ and does not work on all smartphones and tablets. Exactly supported:

• Nexus 4/5;
• Samsung Galaxy S2/3;
• LG G2;
• HTC One M8/X;
• Motorola Defy;
• Motorola Razr M

An ancient smartphone or tablet can be turned into a file server. Access can be organized both to the contents of the SD card and to files on a flash drive or even a hard drive connected to the device using an OTG cable. The speed will not be so great, but sometimes it is not required. Organization of a Samba file server using the example of Samba Server:

1. Install and launch the program Samba Server .
2. Click on the plus sign at the top and select SMB Server.
3. Configure ports and point name.
4. Go to the Roots tab and use the Add button to add shared folders. Don't forget to enter the name of each of them.
5. Click the “Back” button, agree to save the changes, then “Back” again and OK.
6. Click Start and OK.

The IP address can be found using the Info button, and the MAC can be found in the settings of the smartphone itself. You can also configure file distribution via FTP. To do this, use the FTPServer application. Setting it up is very easy.

An old smartphone will make an excellent computer control panel or joystick. You just need to install a special program. Some of the most interesting:

• Monect PC Remote - You can connect using a USB cable, Bluetooth or via Wi-Fi. The program has a keyboard, the ability to control the mouse cursor, and a convenient browser control panel. The main thing is several types of joysticks (for shooters, car simulators, flight simulators and a regular gamepad). Runs on Android 4.0.3+. The application also has support for position sensors in space for control in racing and flight simulators, and even for aiming in shooters. The only negative: it takes too long for the device to respond to rotation in space.
• Max Remote - good application. It features a pleasant, no-frills design, a variety of multimedia functions, convenience and a huge number of different joysticks. Translated into Russian.
• Tablet Remote - an excellent multimedia remote control. Works on Android version 2.1+. Allows you to control one Android device from another. To configure the program, you need to connect the devices to each other. On a managed device: Connection > Scan Devices > Make Device Discoverable. On the control device: Setup > Enable Tablet Remote And Change The Input method For Tablet Remote. Now all that remains is to click Remote.

An old smart phone or tablet is also a very good media player that can be connected to a TV or monitor and turned into a TV set-top box/player. A smartphone/tablet will need HDMI support (possibly via MHL or DisplayPort) and a more or less normal processor to watch video in HD or Full HD quality. I also recommend purchasing a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. If you're going to play, you might as well buy a joystick.

I’ll say right away that there are two problems with this type of configuration. Firstly, the screen of the connected device will always be on and duplicate the image on the TV. You'll either have to accept it or get root and install the application Screen Standby . Secondly, the image displayed on the TV screen will have the screen resolution of the smartphone itself. And if a more or less modern smartphone with a screen resolution of 1280 x 720 does not create any problems, Screen Standby with a Metro-style interface, then with ancient models with resolutions such as 840 x 480 it will be impossible to look at the image.

Regardless, there are plenty of apps that are great for Android Smart TVs. On a larger screen it will be more convenient to use a specialized launcher. You can put Handy Smart TV Launcher, Top TV Launcher, Simple TV Launcher or any other from the market.

You will need a good media player. The main requirement is speed and support for the largest number of formats. Clear leaders:

• VLC . Support for a huge number of formats, complete absence of advertising and, of course, open source. True, the functionality is slightly worse than that of competitors.
• MX Player . One of the best players in terms of functionality. Don't forget to install codecs.
• KMPlayer .

The Tablet Remote described above is very suitable as a remote control.

Any browser is suitable. If you need Flash support, it's worth a try. FlashFox . Of course, Flash doesn't work very well, but at least it works. And if you have an Android device below 4.4 and a Flash player installed, then be sure to try the browsers Dolphin with Jetpack add-on, UC Browser .

You can stream games to a homemade console via an NVIDIA video card. To do this you need to install Moonlight Game Streaming . The project is still a little crude, but in terms of capabilities it is not inferior to the standard streaming service from NVIDIA.

Good for watching online TV: SPB TV, ViNTERA.TV, Torrent Stream Controller, PeersTV, Bizon TV, Crystal TV+ and others. To watch online movies from online cinemas: ivi. ru, MEGOGO, NOW.ru .

In addition, you can install one of the applications for watching TV. The most interesting, in my opinion: TV program, VseTV, TV Control, TV guide . AND KinoPoisk - search for information about the desired film.

7. FITNESS TRACKER

Older smartphone models have a key advantage over new ones - they are smaller and lighter, and it’s not such a shame to break or lose them. Therefore, they are best suited for tracking running and other active sports. If you spend a lot of time on your bike, then your old smartphone can be turned into a good cycling computer. To do this, you just need to purchase a special mount and also install an application, for example BikeComputer or CycleDroid . There is also a lot of interesting things for runners: Runtastic Running & Fitness, Pedometer . Please note that many of them even work in Android 2.3, so the oldest smart phone will do.

8. GPS TRACKER

I think many have heard about Android Device Manager and location history from Google. So, with their help, an old smartphone can be used as a device that tracks the location of any object, including a car. This is especially true during theft. In this case, the smartphone is installed in a hidden place (under the casing) with the ability to charge or connect additional autonomous power, which should be enough for several days. But you can also install anti-theft on your smart phone, which is capable of listening and recording conversations...

CONCLUSIONS

I think this article contains enough ways to use an old smartphone or tablet, because such a functional gadget simply cannot gather dust on a shelf. To find a use for it, you just need to think a little.

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Just recently, some 5-6 years ago, a smart phone was available only to a small number of technically advanced and, importantly, wealthy users. Then the prices of smartphones began to decline rapidly, and the capabilities began to increase, so that today they can be seen in the hands of both pioneers and pensioners. And many of us have managed to change several models during this time, so the issue of recycling old devices is becoming more and more pressing. Previously, it was easy to sell a used model or give it away to relatives in need. Today, more and more often, fully working devices find their final refuge somewhere in the far corner of a desk drawer.

In this article you will find some tips on how to give these devices a second life and put them to good use. So, let's take out our favorites, blow off the dust and go back to battle!

Room alarm clock

Are people still buying alarm clocks? Yes!

And some of them - with flexible settings, weather forecasting functions, task scheduling, and so on - cost a fair amount of money. However, any smartphone can handle this without any effort. And if you install on your device one of the programs described in, then not a single ordinary alarm clock can compare with yours. Or maybe you don’t need additional functionality, but just need unearthly beauty? Then Timely is your choice.

MP3 player

If you are a serious music lover and spend most of your day wearing headphones, then, undoubtedly, you should have already thought about purchasing a special device for this. After all, if you use your main phone, then by the evening you can be left without communication.

Therefore, take out your old smartphone, install a larger memory card there and use it as a specialized music player. There is plenty of software for this, for example, try the programs from this one. And if you are a fan of online radio, then you definitely won’t find anything better.

Tracking station

The need to monitor what is happening in the house in your absence may arise for several reasons. Perhaps you're wary of thieves, or maybe you want to know what your cat does when he's sure no one is watching. Well, let’s not forget about small children, for whom a whole class of special devices called “baby monitors” were invented. In the latter case, pay attention to the application.

In addition, you can use your old smartphone or tablet not only to capture and transmit images, but also as a receiving device. IP Cam Viewer Lite will help you collect information from several web cameras located around the house or in different rooms.

Experimental gadget

The Android operating system offers endless possibilities for customization. Moreover, you can go as deep into the system as your knowledge and courage allow. Moreover, you can even change Android to something more original, for example or . The only problem is that not all experiences can be equally safe for your device. If you don't want to take risks or want to maintain the warranty of your new device, then your old Android will serve as a great testing ground.

cookbook

What should a smart gadget do in the kitchen?

Of course, help cook! In the app store you will find more than one or two collections of culinary recipes. There are some that present dishes of a certain cuisine, some with a selection of recipes by product, some with pictures and videos. In general, for every taste in the literal sense of the word.

And if you go to YouTube, you will find many step-by-step instructions that clearly demonstrate the preparation of dishes. You will find the best of them in, and even better, subscribe to our channel- so you definitely won’t miss anything interesting. Here, for example, from the last one.

So feel free to place your old smartphone or tablet in the kitchen if you want to eat tasty and healthy. Moreover, it is better to keep your new expensive gadget away from boiling oil and greasy hands.

Digital frame

Yes, I agree with you that paying money for digital frames is one of the signs of insanity. But why not use an old gadget for this, which is still lying around idle. Let it stand on your nightstand and delight the eye with your photographs or the works of the best professionals. There are many special programs for this application, at least the one we described or, for example, Photo Slides.

Game console

Most likely, your old Android will no longer be able to handle modern games with cool graphics. But it can be used to emulate old gaming devices and run classic games. Many of them, as we know, can give odds to modern blockbusters. Preparing your device for such an application is not at all difficult, especially if you use.

Car gadget

Your Android can be just as useful in a car. A device specifically dedicated for travel will allow you to avoid wasting the charge of your main phone and not having to worry about mounting it in the car every time. Such an Android car can serve as a device, or even, when connected to an audio system, as a media center. This use of smartphones can even bring certain bonuses in the form of new interesting functions that are not typical for conventional devices. For example, the Sygic program can display your route directly on the windshield without interfering with your view of the road.

Of course, these are not all the ways to use outdated smart gadgets. You can use them to control a quadcopter and other technological toys, as a media server, to control and manage home automation systems - the list goes on. In a word, a real geek will definitely come up with a worthy use for his favorite gadget. And be sure to share your experience with us!

The price segment of modern mobile devices is in a fairly wide range. This is especially true for devices running Android OS, because... There are a lot of budget solutions on this OS. Because of this, the need to find a use for the gadget among Android owners arises much more often. Therefore, we will talk about this OS, although similar solutions can be found for iOS.

Media player

Even the cheapest smartphone has a set of functions that is by no means a match for a cheap player: memory card support, reading almost any audio and video formats, Wi Fi, Bluetooth, etc. All that remains is to install a larger memory card and buy good headphones. Moreover, the headphones can also be used wirelessly, thanks to the presence of Bluetooth. Most devices come with an audio player already installed, although you can download the one you like. If a smartphone has a high-quality display, then it can be used as a portable video player.

EBook

There are a lot of e-reader applications for modern smartphones, and in terms of functionality they are in no way inferior. You can equip an old smartphone with a collection of books and configure the smartphone for reading, removing all unnecessary programs and files from the memory, as a result of which the device will work much more efficiently. But if you are very keen on reading, then it is better to buy a real e-book, because... in it, screen technologies are aimed at reducing eye strain.

Wi-Fi router

Most Android smartphones can distribute mobile Internet via Wi-Fi. Devices with similar functions cost a lot for their intended purpose, so using them can be quite profitable. Also, the latest versions of Android have “taught” a smartphone to act as a Wi-Fi modem: the Internet is received via Wi-Fi and transmitted via wire to a computer or laptop.

Web/IP camera

Reusing an old smartphone is a great idea. There are many applications for these purposes, for example SmartCam: the program is cross-platform and can connect to a computer via Bluetooth and IP. Moreover, the battery will allow us to use our camera even in places where there is no power supply, and a portable battery will significantly increase the time of use. Of course, an old smartphone can completely replace it if you don’t have one. Moreover, you can communicate both from a computer by installing the same SmartCam, and from the smartphone itself, because it has a microphone and a front camera.

Room alarm clock

Regular indoor ones with a set of functions that your old smartphone can offer are often not cheap. Unlike a standard system alarm clock, alarm programs such as AdyClock can constantly display the time on the screen. Moreover, it is possible to fine-tune the display: content, brightness, design, autostart when charging, and even save the screen from premature wear. And installing a program like DVBeep can teach your smartphone to say the time out loud.

Car navigator/video recorder

We buy a universal holder, install the programs, plug it into the cigarette lighter and you're done. Moreover, programs can start automatically when charging is connected, and therefore when the ignition is turned on. You can choose proven Navitel as navigation maps, and DailyRoads Voyager as your DVR. Don't forget to set the screen timeout so that after turning off the ignition the screen doesn't just light up and drain the battery.

Travel gadget

If you are involved in extreme tourism, then you can turn your old smartphone into an indispensable assistant. Maps, GPS, camera, communication - all this is available in most devices and can help on the road, as well as keep your new gadget at home intact.

Experimental device

If there is, then the old one may be quite suitable for experiments. For example, you can try all sorts of new programs and firmware on it without fear of losing any data.

New device

If you have the skills, then you can completely assemble a new device based on an old smartphone, for example, a music center: find/make a case, install a power supply, an amplifier and bring out the wires. With the proper skill, it’s not a lot of work, but the result is excellent: your device will have a set of wireless modules, a touch screen, Internet access with the ability to stream playback, and read almost any format in digital form. An old smartphone can even be used in a homemade microscope to record material and display it on a large screen in HD.

Dividing tasks between devices according to their characteristics can significantly optimize your work. Don't limit your imagination, and your old smartphone can find a second life.