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 setting
- Tap notification
- choice Each app and Toggle Allow notifications off
Delete unnecessary apps.
- Press and hold. app icon on the home screen
- tap Delete the app
Factory reset (option):
- Back up your data,as needed
- go to setting > common > Transfer or reset your iPhone > Erase all content and settings
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2. Give it to your 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 setting Then tap your name at the top.
- choice family sharing and tap Add family members To invite your children.
- If your child doesn’t have an Apple ID, Create an account for your child Then follow the prompts to set up your account.
- If you already have an Apple ID, tap invite people Click to choose how you want to send the invitation: AirDrop, Message, or Email.
Enable parental controls:
- open setting Scroll down and tap screen time
- [家族]section, tap your child’s name
- If Screen Time isn’t already enabled, tap turn on screen time
- Follow the prompts to set it up as your child’s device.
- Tap Content and privacy restrictions
- When prompted, enter screen time passcode (You will need to create one if you haven’t done so already)
- toggle on Content and privacy restrictions
- You can do it now Customize settings Set app limits, content limits, downtime, etc. as needed.
- For app restrictions, App limitsClick to select categories or individual apps to set time limits.
- To limit explicit content and purchases, please visit. Each section Under content and privacy restrictions
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 great video quality. iOS 18 also lets you turn your old iPhone into a dedicated continuous camera for Apple TV, perfect for FaceTime or Zoom calls with family and friends.
Steps to use your iPhone as a webcam
- Download a webcam app. Consider apps like EpocCam and DroidCam in the App Store
- Connect your iPhone. Follow the app’s instructions to connect your iPhone to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi.
- Select iPhone in video settings. Select your iPhone as the camera source in your video conferencing app (such as Zoom or FaceTime)
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 when you just 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 so you can control your TV without using your main phone.
Steps to set up your old iPhone as a remote control
Set up Apple TV remote functionality.
- Verify that both devices are c.connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- open control center For older iPhones (swipe down from the top right corner)
- Tap Apple TV remote control icon Follow the prompts to connect
Manage your smart home devices.
- download smart home app like apple home or device specific (such as Philips Hue)
- follow me App 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.
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 to worry about 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.
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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