10 Best Uses of Old Android Smartphones

Advanced innovation most likely advances dangerously fast. New gadgets, services and so forth continue pouring in all the time, just to be rendered outdated by something quicker and better, in a matter of weeks (or even days). What’s more, this couldn’t be all the more valid for cell phones.

For instance, consider Android telephones. Every year, all gadget makers (both of all shapes and sizes) discharge their Android leaders, packed with the most recent in hardware and software tech. Also, countless cheerfully go overboard a boatload of money, just so they can get the following enormous thing. Be that as it may, simultaneously, the greater part of them additionally dispose of their old Android cell phones aside, as they are no longer valuable. Genuine question is, is there truly no utilization for an Android telephone, since it no longer has the speediest processor and the most recent Android version?

Not by far, individuals. Really, there are an entire cluster of ways you can re-reason your old Android gadgets. Can hardly wait to discover more? We should hop ideal in.

Best uses for old Android smartphones

1. Turn it into a IP surveillance camera

• If you want to keep an eye on your home, office etc. in your absence, your old Android smartphone help, as long as it has a decent camera (something all phones have these days). There are many apps available for the same, such as the awesomeIP Webcam and tinyCam Monitor. With a bit of setting up, you can track the live streaming video feed remotely, via any browser. It’s even possible to automatically record videos, and upload them to cloud storage services for later viewing.

2. As a digital photo frame

• Have a plethora of family photos that you’d love to be displayed by your bedside, or maybe your office desk at all times? With that old Android phone (or better yet, tablet) of yours, it’s easier to do. Just get an app likeDigital Photo Frame, configure it, and you’re good to go. These apps generally have lots of customization options, such as randomized photo slideshows, sound effects, and can even show battery status and time.

3. Offline GPS for your car

• Whether you’re headed to a new city/state, or stuck in congested traffic, having a GPS is a necessity these days. And an Android device can be of use as an offline GPS just fine. All you need is something like Google Mapsand HERE Maps. Apart from the ability to download maps offline, you get a host of other features, such as turn-by-turn voice assistance, automatic rerouting, and then some more.

4. Make it a media server

• Most of us like to carry a whole bunch of songs, movies, and videos on our smartphones. How about using an Android phone to stream media to other devices? Simply transfer your media to your Android phone (even better if it has expandable storage), grab an app likePlex or BubbleUPnP, and get it running. The streaming works for DLNA compatible devices, and even with digital players like Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV.

5. Turn it into a retro gaming emulator

• Xbox and PlayStation titles might have turned old school games a relic of the past, but there’s something about retro gaming that makes it amazing, to this day. If you’ve been yearning to play some old Game Boy Advance or Nintendo classics, an old Android phone and an emulator app (e.g.John NES and My OldBoy!) are sufficient to get started. You even get features like Bluetooth/MOGA controller support, and cheat code functionality.

6. As a universal remote controller

• The numerous digital gadgets that we use (e.g. TV, digital media players) daily, all come with their own remote controllers. Naturally, fumbling with all of them is too much of a hassle. But it doesn’t have to, as your Android phone can act as a universal remote controller for (almost) all of your smart gadgets. All you have to do is install an app likeEasy Universal TV Remote, or Peel Universal Remote. And though most of these apps require your Android phone to have an IR blaster, some can even work over Wi-Fi.

7. Dedicated eBook reader

• Don’t know about you all, but I simply love eBook readers (having previously owned a Nook Simple Touch, and rocking a Kindle now). They are light, have a glare-free display, and let you carry thousands of books. But even if you don’t like (or don’t want to invest in) an eBook reader, you can make an old Android phone a dedicated eBook reader. Just install an app likeKindle or Nook, download some free eBooks, and you’re ready to roll. The many advantages include support for numerous eBook formats, cloud synchronization, and night reading modes. This is also one of the best ways to get your kids in the habit of reading.

8. Make it a wireless hotspot

• Wireless connectivity is all good, but you can’t really have it anywhere (e.g. in a car), at least not easily. In such cases, you can get a cellular connection for the sole purpose of accessing mobile data through it, and use it with a spare Android phone. After that, it’s all a matter of enabling Internet sharing in your Android phone’s settings, and you’ve got Wi-Fi everywhere. This can be alsohandy if you want a secondary Wi-Fi connection at your home, just for light usage.

9. Turn it into a dedicated media player

• We all use our smartphones to listen to songs and watch movies all the time. So why not dedicate that old Android phone to enjoying media only? It’s easy to do. Justremove all the unnecessary/bloatware apps from the phone, load up your media (e.g. photos, music, videos) on it (use a memory card, if supported by the device), and pair it up with some great earphones or speaker. And of course, you’ll be needing one or more of these great music player apps and video player apps as well.

10. As a power bank

• Given the battery extracting beasts that most smartphones are, power banks are one of the essential accessories for them. But if you have an old Android with a fully functional battery, you can use it as a power bank as well. Wait what? Don’t be so shocked. Out of the manyunique uses of USB OTG, one is to charge your Android smartphone with another smartphone. Just make sure the old Android phone is acting as the USB host.

Give your old Android smartphone a new purpose

• Android smartphones keep on evolving at such a rapid speed, the next big thing is in market before you’ve had a chance to explore the phone you have in your hand. But as seen above, an old Android phone doesn’t equate to a useless device.