5 Things To Do With An Old Smartphone

Got an old smartphone and don’t know what to do with it?

Instead of having it collect dust in your drawer, check out the following things you can do to give it new life:

Donate

Your old smartphone or gadget can bring a smile to the less fortunate people in hospitals, orphanages and schools in your area.

Power it up and make sure the mobile is still working. Then, reset the phone to factory settings and gather up the cable, adapter and box. The next chance you get, bring it over and give it to those who need it the most.

If you have a relative or a friend who will surely appreciate the old item, give it as a hand-me-down and watch their eyes sparkle with joy.

Sell

If your smartphone is still serviceable, relatively new and worth some money, you can sell it online for cash.

Online popular buy and sell sites such as Amazon, eBay or Facebook are great places where you can sell your old tech, including mobiles, tablets, laptops, DVDs and game consoles. Post up what you’re offering and wait for the replies to come in.

Otherwise, you can sell your old smartphone directly to a recycling company who can give you a reasonable price offer once you fill out their online form. If you agree, send the gadget in and receive cash after they receive your phone.

Repurpose

Your old cellphone can still work as a music player, a remote control device, a GPS unit or a retro game handheld. Try out these fun projects by doing the following:

GPS Unit. Download and update your phone’s Google Maps or get your preferred GPS app such as Waze and put it on your car’s dashboard. Plug it in so you won’t run out of juice whenever you’re on the road.

Retro Game Handheld. Low-end phones can still be turned into retro gaming machines for mobile fun. Download an app that turns your phone into an emulator, get some games and revisit the classics. You can hook it up or cast to your TV or connect a Bluetooth gamepad and have a good time.

Remote Control. Stop wasting time trying to find the remote by having a reliable standby. Keep your phone charged and download the manufacturer’s remote app for smart TVs and set-top boxes. Wait for the Wi-Fi connection to be made and you’ll be able to change channels, output or increase or decrease the volume of your smart TV.

Music Player. A dedicated music player can be handy for parties or for when you want to relax at the end of the day. Power up your phone and place it in a dock, then connect an aux cable to a wired sound system. Or, you can pair it up with your favourite Bluetooth speaker or headphones and then listen in. This works for audiobooks and podcasts too.

Recycle

Have too much stuff and want to just dispose of your old gadgets and throw them in the bin? Don’t. Your goods will end up unused in landfills and contribute to seeping toxins into the ground and the drinking water.

E-waste problems can be solved by sustainable practices. This means you should look for a recycling centre nearby so you can dispose of your old smartphones responsibly. The recycler will re-use the item or break it down into simpler components, which can be used for future products.

Some manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, Lenovo and HP will have recycling programmes where you can exchange old tech for cash, credits and gift cards. You get something back for doing the right thing and save the environment in the process.

Use as Backup

Last, but certainly not the least, your phone can still serve you well by being a backup. This means that you’ll have a smartphone that can make calls, send emergency texts and go on the internet even if your main mobile is down or out of juice.

Put in an extra sim card and power up your old smartphone to 100%. Protect it with armour casing and leave it in your car’s glove box compartment, your backpack or your office locker. Remember to charge it up once a week so it can be serviceable when you need it.