6 Innovative Ways to Repurpose an Old Smartphone

Don't let your old smartphone sit forgotten in a drawer when you upgrade to a new one. Here are six clever ways to give that still-functional device a second life.

1. Use it as a Backup or 'Burner' Phone

If your old smartphone is still functional, why not turn it into a second phone? It can serve multiple purposes: as a backup device if your new phone malfunctions or gets lost, a safer option for trips to places where your new phone might get damaged, or even as an untraceable 'burner' phone.

To use the old phone as a backup for calls, it needs to be unlocked, so you can swap its SIM card with a new one. Opt for a pay-as-you-go plan, which charges only when you make calls or send texts. These plans can cost as little as $2 a day. If the phone is left unused, no charges are applied.

Even without an active phone plan, your old phone can still dial 911, making it potentially valuable in emergency situations.

A second phone can also act as a valuable data backup if it runs on the same operating system as your new one. By loading the same apps and cloud access, you can keep your contacts, photos, and social media feeds safe, ensuring you won’t lose any data if your new phone is lost or broken.

For added privacy and security, turn your old phone into a 'burner' by wiping and resetting it, and creating a new user profile with a fresh email address (just don't use your real name!). Apps like Burner let you get a temporary phone number using VoIP, so you don’t need a new SIM card. You can even text from it.

2. Transform It into a Car Stereo and GPS System

When you get into the car, you probably set up your smartphone in a dashboard mount, plug in the power cord, and pair it with your car's stereo via Bluetooth. And then you have to disconnect everything once you get out of the car.

If you use your phone primarily for music and navigation, you can simplify the process by converting your old smartphone into a dedicated car stereo and GPS system.

Here’s a pro tip: this idea might not work well if you frequently make hands-free calls in the car and your old phone doesn’t have an active calling plan. But if it’s mostly used for music, podcasts, and navigation, it can be a real time-saver.

All you need is a bit of prep work. Since your old phone will be offline in the car (no wifi or cellular data), make sure to load it with music, podcasts, and maps while you're at home or in the office. CNET has a great list of map apps that you can preload for offline use. While the best apps and maps may cost money, it’s a small price to pay to avoid getting lost in Tulsa.

3. Turn It into a Baby Monitor or Security Camera

Don’t waste money on a baby monitor! There are plenty of clever apps that can transform any old smartphone camera into a budget-friendly baby monitor or even a home security camera.

To turn your old phone into a baby monitor, simply place it near the crib and install apps like Dormi (Android) or Cloud Baby Monitor (iOS). These apps sync your old and new phones, allowing you to monitor and listen to the baby from anywhere. Features include notifications when the baby is crying, and the option to speak to the baby remotely.

While it won’t replace a sophisticated home security system, your old phone can work as a free security camera. The Presence app (available for both Android and iOS) instantly turns your old phone into a streaming video camera, which can be accessed from any paired device.

4. Build Your Own GoPro

GoPro-style action cameras can cost a fortune, but if your old phone shoots HD video, you can attach it to almost anything and capture breathtaking point-of-view footage.

The key to success is finding the right mount. Look for a universal head mount or one specifically designed for your phone. If you’re using a larger 'phablet', it might be too heavy for a head mount, so consider options that attach to bike handlebars or your chest instead.

A Bluetooth shutter remote can also be a handy tool. These affordable devices fit in your pocket and let you start and stop recordings on your phone, allowing you to focus on your activity, like mountain biking, without worrying about touching the phone.

5. Transform It into a Digital Photo Frame

This is a perfect idea for an old tablet or larger smartphone. Place it on your desk or coffee table and use it to display a continuously updated slideshow of your photos, as well as images from your social media accounts.

Apps like LiveFrame (iOS) and Dayframe (Android) not only display photos from your device and cloud-based libraries like Google Photos or Flickr, but they also pull in fresh images from your Facebook, Instagram, and other social media networks.

To keep things exciting, you can also use the old phone or tablet to watch live streams from webcams located in some of the world’s most stunning places. The EarthCam app (iOS) streams live video from locations like Times Square in New York City and Blackberry Mountain in Tennessee. The Android equivalent, Earth Online, offers similar features.

6. Give It to a Worthy Cause

Rather than recycling or selling your old phone and keeping the cash, think about donating it to an organization that will put it to good use to help others.

Sprint's 1Million Project seeks to donate a million phones and tablets, along with free high-speed internet access, to underserved high school students. Nonprofit Secure the Call collects donated phones and distributes them to domestic violence shelters and senior centers for use in emergency 911 calls.

A fantastic initiative, Cell Phones for Soldiers, doesn't directly send your old phones to troops (due to security reasons), but instead uses the proceeds from recycling or reselling your device to purchase prepaid phone cards for military personnel.