Upgrading to a new phone is exciting, but that doesn’t mean your old Android device has to gather dust in a drawer. There are plenty of creative ways to give it a second life and make it useful again.
9
Use It as a Security Camera or Baby Monitor
You don’t necessarily have to spend money on an expensive security camera or baby monitor if you have an old Android phone lying around. You can simply download a baby monitor app like BabyCam or turn your Android into an IP webcam with the IP Phone Camera app.
These apps let you stream live video, listen to audio, and even capture photos and videos remotely. Once the app is set up, all you have to do is place your phone in a stable location with a clear view of the area you want to monitor. Make sure to keep the device plugged into a charger to ensure uninterrupted use.
Download: BabyCam (Free, in-app purchases available)
Download: IP Phone Camera (Free, in-app purchases available)
8
Use It as a Dash Cam or an Android Auto Companion
If your old Android phone has a decent camera, you can repurpose it as a dash cam for your car. This can be useful for recording road incidents, scenic drives, or unexpected events. To set it up, simply install a good dash cam app, mount your phone on the dashboard or windshield, and connect it to a power source.
Alternatively, if your car lacks Android Auto, you can bring the Android experience to your vehicle using your old phone or tablet. You can do this by using an app like Car Launcher, AutoZen, or AutoMate. These launchers simplify the screen layout so you can access essential features and information quickly.
Download: Dash Cam Travel (Free, in-app purchases available)
Download: AutoZen (Free, in-app purchases available)
7
Turn It Into an eBook Reader
If you love reading, you can download eBook apps like Kindle, Google Play Books, and Moon+ Reader to turn your phone into an eBook reader. These apps support various formats and give you access to a vast library of books, magazines, and comics.
To make the reading experience more enjoyable and distraction-free, you should consider disabling notifications and using a simple launcher. You can also enable grayscale mode to reduce eye strain and improve battery life.
Download: Amazon Kindle (Free, in-app purchases available)
Download: Google Play Books (Free, in-app purchases available)
6
Use It as a Handheld Gaming Console
A dedicated gaming console or PC is great, but it can’t match the convenience of a handheld gaming device. Using your spare phone as a gaming device will allow you to enjoy your favorite games without draining the battery on your primary device.
You can download your favorite games from the Play Store or use a cloud gaming service like Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, or Steam Link to stream high-quality titles without needing powerful hardware. If you’re into classic or casual games, you can use Android emulators for retro gaming.
5
Transform It Into a Digital Clock or Photo Frame
If your old Android phone isn’t powerful enough for gaming, why not turn it into a functional and stylish bedside clock? You can do this by downloading an app like Flip Clock and mounting your phone on a stand—preferably one with wireless charging.
Alternatively, you can use your phone as a digital photo frame using the slideshow feature in the Google Photos app.
If you want more options, apps like Fotoo allow you to pull photos from multiple cloud storage services, adjust transition effects, set slideshow duration, and even add background music.
Download: Flip Clock (Free, in-app purchases available)
Download: Fotoo (Free, in-app purchases available)
4
Repurpose It as a GPS Tracker
Your old Android phone can double as a reliable GPS tracker, thanks to the built-in Find My Device feature. You can use it to monitor your vehicle’s whereabouts or ensure your child’s safety.
To set it up, enable Find My Device in the phone’s settings, sign in with your Google account, and place the phone in a secure spot—like your car’s glove compartment or your child’s backpack.
I’d suggest using a small power bank so the phone doesn’t die too quickly. This will also allow you to use the Google Maps timeline feature to check location history.
3
Boost Your Wi-Fi by Turning It into a Signal Extender
There are several ways you can boost your home or office Wi-Fi signal. However, instead of buying a dedicated Wi-Fi extender, you can repurpose your old Android phone as a Wi-Fi repeater.
For this, you’ll need to ensure your phone supports enabling Wi-Fi and the hotspot simultaneously. If it does, simply connect your Android phone to the primary Wi-Fi, enable the hotspot, and place it where the signal is weak.
While this won’t offer the same performance as a dedicated extender, it’s a budget-friendly way to eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones using a device you already own.
2
Make It a Second Screen for Your PC or Laptop
Using a second monitor can significantly boost productivity when working on your laptop or PC. If your old Android phone has a large display, you can use an app like Spacedesk to turn your phone into a second screen for Windows.
You can connect your phone wirelessly over Wi-Fi, but it’s best to use a USB cable for a more stable connection. Once linked, you can extend your desktop and drag apps to your phone as if it were an additional monitor.
Similarly, it’s also possible to use your Android phone as your PC’s webcam, speaker, or microphone.
Download: Spacedesk for Android | Windows (Free, in-app purchases available)
1
Repurpose It as a Portable Storage
Even if your old Android phone has a damaged display, poor battery life, or insufficient processing power, it can still be useful as a portable storage device. Unless it’s extremely outdated, it likely has a decent amount of internal storage that you can put to good use.
You can connect it to your laptop, desktop, or even a gaming console via a USB cable. It can work just like a flash drive, allowing you to transfer and store important files. If the screen is functional, you’ll also be able to transfer files between your phone and PC wirelessly.
Repurposing your old Android phone not only extends its usefulness but also saves you money on new purchases. The ideas above are a great starting point, but if you’re willing to put in the work, there are plenty of DIY projects you can try with old phones.
