5 ways to recycle your old iPhone and make it useful again

Key Takeaways

• If you have an old iPhone lying around, it's time to give it a new lease of life.
• You can repurpose your old iPhone in many ways, like turning it into a dashboard display or a modern iPod.
• When you pair your old iPhone with a controller, mount, or tripod, tons of new use cases and possibilities open up.

If you're like most people and upgraded to a new iPhone sometime in the last few years, then there's a very good chance that your old handset is languishing in a drawer somewhere.

If you chose not to resell or trade in your old iPhone when you bought your shiny new iPhone 15, there's no reason to let your old device exist as an expensive, permanent piece of paper.

Instead, consider giving it a new lease as a useful additional device within your broader tech setup. There are tons of use cases for the older generation iPhone — here are five you should consider if you haven't already.

1 Turn your old iPhone into a dedicated dashboard display

This is a free demo layout that you should use

If you happen to be driving an older generation car that doesn't include Apple CarPlay or a similar car entertainment system, it's a good idea to repurpose your old iPhone as a dashboard display.

A cheap car mount is all you need to set it up, and from there you can access all the same navigation and music playback features you'd expect from a modern car dashboard experience. Remember, of course, to keep your eyes on the road and without distraction.

Alternatively, if you want more peace of mind while driving, you can choose to use your old iPhone as a dash cam. By downloading an app like Driver, you can simulate the experience of using a dedicated piece of hardware to perform the same task.

2 Use your old iPhone as a security camera

Use the existing cameras built into your old iPhone

As in the case of a dash cam, you can drop the cash on a dedicated home security camera — or you can choose to use your old iPhone to get the job done. There are many apps in the App Store that allow you to turn your second device into a full-fledged camera, including the popular Alfred solution.

With the right software downloaded to both your iPhone models, and a basic mount or tripod to hold the camera phone in the right place, you'll be set up with a security camera solution that works unlike a dedicated setup.

Sure, you won't get all the bells and whistles that come with expensive security systems, but you'll also save hundreds of dollars in the process, and you'll be taking advantage of hardware you already own. property.

3 Turn your old iPhone into a portable gaming console

Save your iPhone's main battery life for all smartphone essentials

iPhones have become so powerful, that even the older generation models pack a serious processing punch. Whether you're looking to play mobile games, stream the latest AAA releases, or reminisce about the past through simulation, having a device dedicated to doing so can be a high-quality life-enhancement.

We all know the toll on battery life and storage space that gaming can end up taking, and running out of juice on your primary communication device is never a good idea. Refurbishing your old iPhone into a dedicated playback device solves this problem.

To really look and feel the part, consider connecting to a Bluetooth controller or purchasing a fast mobile solution like the Razer Kishi Ultra. This will give you the comfort of physical buttons and a sense of tactile control during your gaming sessions.

4 Turn your old iPhone into a smart home display

If you've invested in smart home products, then a dedicated control panel hub makes the tone of your setup

While it may work to use your primary, everyday iPhone to control your smart lights and display the weather a bit, nothing beats the convenience of having a dedicated, purpose-built smart display included in your setup.

You can buy a Google Nest or Amazon Echo device to fulfill this role, or you can assign your old iPhone to this task. If you opt for the latter, you'll benefit from having a fully-fledged mobile operating system at your disposal, instead of the subtle offering of a more dedicated smart display.

If you're upgrading to an iPhone 12 series or newer, consider using a MagSafe or Qi2 charging stand to prop up your old device, and StandBy mode will kick in to give you smart-looking specs all day long.

5 Turn your old iPhone into a modern mp3 player

Relive the glory days of the iPod, and cut the streaming service cord in the process

The iPhone is truly a miracle of our times — it has the natural ability to replace most single-purpose devices, including Apple's now defunct iPod product line. Still, there's something to be said about having a dedicated product that works best for one job, and a reputable mp3 player is a good example of this.

There are many good reasons why you might want to repurpose your old iPhone into a dedicated music player. You may want to break free from distractions while listening to your songs, you may want to limit your subscription to your streaming service, or you may be wary of damaging your new iPhone while running too much.

Regardless of which category you fall into, your old iPhone is just as well used as today's mp3 player. If you still have a library of downloaded songs and albums stored on your hard drive, consider transferring them to your old phone and enjoy an audio trip down memory lane.