10+ Uses for Old iPhones: From Security to Fun

You've got an old iPhone collecting dust, but it's not a total loss. In fact, it can still be a valuable tool in the right hands.

Old iPhones can be repurposed as security cameras, using their built-in cameras to keep an eye on things remotely.

You can also use them as a dedicated music player, perfect for listening to your favorite tunes in the gym or while working out.

Their Touch ID or Face ID features can be used to securely store sensitive information, like passwords and credit card numbers.

Your old iPhone can still be a useful device even after you've upgraded to a new one.

You can repurpose an old iPhone by using it as a security camera with the help of an app.

For instance, you can use an app like IP Cam Viewer to turn your old iPhone into a security camera that can stream live footage to your new iPhone or computer.

On a similar theme: List of Apps to Use My Iphone as a Camera

You can also use your old iPhone as a dedicated remote control for your TV or other devices.

This is especially useful if you have a smart TV or other devices that can be controlled using an app.

Using your old iPhone as a remote control can simplify your viewing experience and reduce clutter on your coffee table.

You can also use your old iPhone to control your home's lighting and temperature with the help of smart home devices.

This can be done using an app that connects your old iPhone to your smart home devices, allowing you to control them remotely.

Your old iPhone can also be used as a dedicated music player for your home gym or office.

Simply load up your favorite workout playlists or office jams on your old iPhone and enjoy music without disturbing others.

You can also use your old iPhone as a dedicated e-reader for your favorite books and magazines.

This is especially useful if you have a lot of digital content that you want to access without using your main iPhone.

Using your old iPhone as an e-reader can also help reduce eye strain and save battery life on your main iPhone.

A fresh viewpoint: Use Iphone as Tv Remote Samsung

You can repurpose your old iPhone as a home security camera by using apps like Alfred Camera and Manything. These apps allow you to monitor your home remotely and even double as a baby monitor.

Mount your old iPhone in a suitable location and keep it powered up with a lightning cable. Most apps offer features like recording and storage of footage locally or remotely, automatic movement detection, and two-way talk.

Using AtHome Video Streamer, you can turn multiple old iPhones into a DIY home camera system. This app is compatible with devices as old as the iPhone 5s and iPad Air from 2013, making it a great option for those with older iPhones.

You can even use your old iPhone as a dedicated smart home controller, leaving it in a convenient location like the kitchen or living room. This way, you can control your smart home accessories, including security cameras, lights, and more, with just a few taps on the screen.

By pairing your old iPhone with a Bluetooth speaker, you can create a cost-effective smart speaker alternative to Amazon Echo or Google Home. This setup allows you to play music, control smart home devices, and get voice-guided answers without breaking the bank.

See what others are reading: How to See What Apps Are Using Microphone Iphone

You can repurpose an old iPhone as a home security camera, which is a simple and effective solution for monitoring your home remotely. This can be done with apps like Alfred Camera and Manything, which allow you to keep an eye on your home from anywhere.

To set up your old iPhone as a security camera, you'll need to mount it in a suitable location and keep it connected to a lightning cable to ensure it doesn't lose power. Most security camera apps offer features like recording and storage of footage, automatic movement detection, and two-way talk, making it a great baby monitor option too.

Using an old iPhone as a security camera is a great way to breathe new life into an old device. With apps like AtHome Video Streamer, you can turn multiple old iPhones into a DIY security camera system, perfect for monitoring multiple areas of your home. This app is compatible with devices as old as the iPhone 5s and iPad Air from 2013.

You can also use an old iPhone as a dedicated smart home controller, allowing you to control your security cameras, lights, and other smart devices with just a few taps. This is especially useful if you don't want to carry your new iPhone around to control your home.

On a similar theme: Iphone Parental Monitoring Text Messages

You can turn your iPhone into a smart display using the StandBy feature in iOS 17. To make it a DIY digital display, start by putting a phone by the door with the Weather app open.

This way, you can always check the weather as you leave the house. You can also make it a digital clock using an app like Today Clock or Alarm Clock for Me.

For example, you can use a 3D-printed stand or fashion your own out of wood or Lego to hold your iPhone in place. This will keep your digital clock visible at all times.

To keep your digital display from turning off, go to Settings > Display & Brightness (or Settings > General on older versions) > Auto-Lock > Never.

Consider reading: How to Check If Iphone Is Original Using Imei

You can turn your old iPhone into a handheld gaming console with Apple Arcade for just £4.99 a month, giving you access to endless hours of entertainment.

Apple Arcade has a vast library of games that will keep you and your family entertained for hours on end. You can play without worrying about constant notifications interrupting you as you play.

Using your old iPhone as a gaming console is more than possible now, especially if it's capable enough. You can find plenty of amazing games on the App Store that will push your iPhone to the limits of its performance.

PS Remote Play is a subscription service that lets you access literal console games on your iPhone in the cloud. The quality of the games will depend on your internet connection, but you can play fantastic games on the go if you want to.

If you're looking for a more retro gaming experience, you can jailbreak an older iPhone and install tweaks and wild customizations. This can be a fun way to relive old memories, but be aware that many classic games no longer work.

You can repurpose an old iPhone as an accessibility tool, making it easier for anyone to use their device.

The iPhone comes with a ton of accessibility features that can be super helpful.

One feature is the magnifying glass, which can be used to see things without your glasses.

Sound Recognition is another feature that can alert you to sounds like a knock on the door or a baby crying, so you never miss a sound.

If you need to, you can even create a synthetic version of your voice using the iPhone's Personal Voice feature.

Worth a look: How to Use Twitter Voice on Iphone

Giving and selling old iPhones can be a great way to declutter and make some extra cash. Many old iPhones can still be worth hundreds of dollars, especially if they're in good condition.

If you have a working iPhone 6 or later, you can sell it to Apple directly through their trade-in program. This can be a convenient option, but be aware that you'll only get store credit, not cash.

Old iPhones can also be sold on websites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace, but be cautious of scams and ensure you follow safety guidelines.

Giving your old iPhone to your kids is a great way to save money and have more control over what they're using. You can give them your old iPhone instead of spending money on a new one.

You'll have total control over which apps they use, the content they watch, and how long they use the iPhone. This is especially useful for parents who want to limit their kids' screen time.

Many useful apps and features like Family Sharing or iMessage are still available on older iPhones. This means you can still share files, photos, and more with your family.

Setting up Apple's Screen Time tool on both your phone and your child's phone is a must. This will help you keep tabs on which apps they're using and when, and even limit who they can talk to.

Passing down your old phone is a great way to introduce your kids to the Apple ecosystem. This can be especially helpful if your whole family already uses Apple products.

Broaden your view: Check Apple Phone

If you can't find anything useful to do with your old iPhone or don't want to collect devices at home, you can simply sell them or trade them with Apple. Apple Trade-In gives you extra money for your selected Apple devices.

You can get up to $650 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max through Apple Trade-In, but it's worth noting that this might not be the best deal for you. Selling an iPhone has its downsides, like the risk of being scammed.

You can visit online platforms like Craigslist, eBay, or any other similar site to post that you want to sell your iPhone. Chances are you'll get a much better deal than what Apple offers.

You might like: How to Sell Iphones on Ebay

Jailbreaking an older iPhone can be a fun way to experience the past. You can install fun tweaks and wild customizations like Cylinder on a jailbroken device.

A jailbroken device is a great way to play with older iOS versions without worrying about losing your pictures or putting your iCloud account in danger. This is because an older iPhone is no longer your main device.

Unfortunately, many classic tweaks no longer work on jailbroken devices. The Cydia store that lets you purchase tweaks and themes is no longer functional.

You can still find some working repositories that host downloadable tweaks, but many have been taken offline.

You can repurpose your old iPhone as a basic phone or an iPod, giving it a new life.

You can turn your old iPhone into a dedicated music player, just like the iPod touch used to be, but with all the new features an iPhone has to offer.

Using your old iPhone as a dedicated music player is a great way to enjoy your music or podcasts without worrying about messages or notifications that go to your main iPhone.

You can also make phone calls on your old iPhone, which is a feature the old iPod touch never had.

By keeping your old iPhone as a dumb phone, you can switch between having a smartphone and a basic phone, helping you stay productive and enjoy real life.

For another approach, see: How to Use Letters on Phone Keypad Iphone

You can turn your old iPhone into a digital photo frame, and it's a great way to keep treasured memories alive.

With apps like LiveFrame, you can display a rotating gallery of photos, turning an old device into a constantly updated picture frame.

To set it up, simply install the app and sign in to your iCloud Photo Library. Your photos will automatically sync to your iPhone, and you can customize the slideshow to your liking.

You can also use Digital Photo Frame Slideshow, which allows you to access your same iCloud Photo Library and set up a slideshow with various options, such as the album to pull from and the transition between images.

Here are some options for setting up your slideshow:

By using your iPhone as a digital photo frame, you can enjoy a constantly updated display of your favorite memories, and it's a great way to breathe new life into an old device.

You can repurpose your old iPhone into a basic phone by removing time-wasting apps and minimizing distractions. This can help you clear your head and become more productive.

Having a basic phone can also help you enjoy real life, free from the constant notifications and social media updates. You can still use your old iPhone to watch movies and shows, and stream content without draining the battery of your main iPhone.

Keeping your old iPhone as a basic phone gives you the best of both worlds – you can enjoy the benefits of a smartphone when you want to, and switch to a basic phone mode when you need to focus. This setup is perfect for people who want to strike a balance between technology and real life.

By designating an old iPhone as a basic phone, you can also have a dedicated device for video calls, which is especially useful during social distancing measures. You can keep it charged and in a central location for easy access.

For your interest: New Iphones Release Date

You can still have a dedicated MP3 player, similar to the iPod touch, by turning your older iPhone into one. You'll get to enjoy your music, watch movies and shows, or play games on the go.

Using an older iPhone as a dedicated music player is a great way to let you enjoy your music or podcasts without worrying about messages or notifications that go to your main iPhone.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Can Iphones Go in Water

You can also make phone calls, which is something the old iPod touch was never capable of. This is a convenient feature that you won't find on a traditional iPod touch.

To turn your older iPhone into a dedicated music player, you can simply use it as you would an iPhone, but with the knowledge that you won't be checking messages or notifications.

You can repurpose your old iPhone as a dedicated device for specific tasks, freeing up your main iPhone for other uses. This can help you stay organized and make the most of your technology.

For video calls, consider turning your old iPhone into a dedicated FaceTime or Zoom hub. Keep it charged and in a central location, making it easy for family members to access.

Using your old iPhone as a dumb phone can also be beneficial, allowing you to clear your head and become more productive. This way, you can still access your favorite apps when you want to, but avoid distractions when you need to focus.

Take a look at this: When to Use Websockets

HomePod is a smart speaker developed by Apple, released in 2017. It's a dedicated device that's designed to work seamlessly with other Apple devices.

The HomePod is equipped with a six-microphone array that allows it to pick up voice commands from anywhere in the room. This feature is particularly useful for controlling music playback and accessing information.

One of the key features of HomePod is its ability to learn and adapt to a user's preferences. It can create a personalized music experience based on the user's listening habits.

The HomePod is also compatible with other Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads, allowing users to control their music and other features remotely. This level of integration is a hallmark of the Apple ecosystem.

The HomePod's design is also noteworthy, with a sleek and compact shape that fits in with modern home decor.

A different take: How to Keep Music Playing While Using Other Apps Iphone

Having an emergency backup phone is a must-have in today's digital age. Accidents happen, and it's not always possible to get your phone repaired quickly.

If you decide to repurpose your old phone, you'll constantly have a backup phone in case yours breaks, gets lost or is stolen. This is especially true now with Apple Stores closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With a backup phone, you'll avoid being without a phone for a few days while it's being repaired. This is a peace of mind that's hard to put a price on.

You can keep your old iPhone charged and in a central location, making it easy to grab and go in case of an emergency.

You can repurpose an old iPhone as a dedicated remote for your Apple TV, allowing you to control it without using your main phone.

This is especially useful if you want to watch something on the TV while still using your iPhone for other tasks. By using your old iPhone as a dedicated remote, you can multitask more efficiently.

For your interest: Can I Use My Iphone as a Tv Remote

You can also use your old iPhone as a dedicated smart home controller, leaving it in a convenient spot like the kitchen or living room to control your security cameras and lights with just a few taps.

This approach eliminates the need for a separate smart home hub, making it a cost-effective solution for turning your home into a smart home.

For your interest: Iphones with Home Button