Many people replace their cell phones every 2 to 3 years. The old cell phones are put away somewhere, and when it’s time to declutter, they’re just thrown away as scrap, but there are many ways to reuse your old cell phones. The growing number of apps makes it easier to repurpose them without keeping them active on a cellular plan. Old cell phones should not be sold as scrap.
With these 7 cell phone tips, you can save time, some money, and reduce waste
1. Document scanner
You can install a scanner app on an old cell phone when you need to scan a document. Turn on the phone’s camera, aim at the document to be scanned, and the picture is immediately converted to text or PDF. By not buying a scanner, you can quickly and efficiently add this office capability to your arsenal while saving money.
2. Home audio
Nowadays, you can use an old cell phone’s storage or Wi-Fi for your music files to stream music. There are many ways to connect a phone to a stereo. Older devices may have a headphone adapter to plug into a stereo. For newer ones that rely on Bluetooth, you can purchase a Bluetooth adapter that will plug into a stereo, or if your sound system can receive a Bluetooth signal, you can use that to connect the phone. This way, you can turn that old phone into a dedicated music source you can enjoy anytime.
3. Flashlight
When you need a flashlight, nothing else will do. Most cell phones have one preloaded, and you can easily install a free app on an older phone that does not. Having a phone as a flashlight can be helpful when you need one, but your current phone is not with you. Perhaps you stepped out to the garage and left your current phone inside. The dedicated phone to be used as a flashlight will meet the need.
4. Electronic reader
E-readers sold on the market are expensive. With the maturity of mobile phone technology, the higher screen resolutions of phones, and a wide variety of free e-reader apps, last year’s phone can be used as an e-reader and store many different books. You can even add a library app to it.
5. Alarm clock
You can install a free alarm clock app on an old cell phone, put it on a base, place it on a table next to your bed, and use it as an alarm clock. You could put it beside your desk and set alarms to remind you of meetings and appointments.
6. Security monitor
With the right app installed, you can set up an old cell phone to monitor any area of the house and view that device’s camera output on your current phone, thus saving money by not having to buy a particular camera.
7. Universal remote control
Home entertainment devices have their remote control, leading to several remote controls cluttering a room. With an old cell phone that can emit infrared, you can turn it into a universal remote control by installing the right app, thereby saving space.
Tips
To save on battery usage, turn off background services on the old cell phones that aren’t needed depending on what the old phone is used for, such as GPS, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
Cell phones that have been used for a long time will inevitably have problems, but as long as you take care of them, they should last a long time.
Protect your cell phone’s charging port by keeping it clean. Periodically, use a toothpick to gently clean out any foreign matter that may accumulate there. To protect your phone, keep it away from dusty environments and clean it well occasionally.
Once moisture from humid areas penetrates your cell phone, it can start to erode the internal circuit boards, causing damage to the phone. If you keep your phone in a dry place, it will last longer. Putting it in a bowl with white rice will absorb it if it is exposed to moisture.
Translated by Eva
