October 11, 2024 | Marlon Wright

10 Ways To Save Money With Your Old Phone


Time To Dig Out Your Old Phone

If you’ve got an old smartphone, it’s tempting to get rid of it or stick it in some dark corner of your house to collect dust. But that old phone might not be worthless yet—in fact, it could even save you some cash. 

Here are 10 ways to reuse your old phone and save a few bucks in the process.

save money with your old phone

1. A Universal Smart Remote

We all know that familiar frustration of having a remote control disappear without a trace. Instead of shelling out cash to replace lost remotes, just repurpose your old phone as a universal smart remote. 

Controlling home heating temperature with phoneRossHelen, Shutterstock

Advertisement

A Universal Smart Remote: Make Space

To start, you'll need to clear space on your old phone for media apps. Once that's done, install your preferred streaming apps and any mobile versions of device-specific apps like Apple TV or Roku.

Woman hand holding Smart Phone with Netflix logoNatee Meepian, Shutterstock

A Universal Smart Remote: Limitless Control 

It'll take a bit of time to download and connect everything, but once everything's linked, you'll have seamless control over your entertainment options. Plus, with apps like Google Home or Alexa, you can extend control to other smart devices throughout your home, making life a whole lot easier.

boy holding a phone with amazon alexa opensdx15, Shutterstock

2. A Dashcam

Installing a dashcam is an excellent way to document your drives and gather evidence in case of accidents. But the cost of a dashcam can be something that makes people pass on this valuable tool. Luckily, if you have an old smartphone lying around, you can turn it into an affordable alternative.

The phone on a tripod in the carElizaveta Galitckaia, Shutterstock

Advertisement

A Dashcam: A World Of Capabilities 

Most dashcam apps can give you features like loop recording and collision detection, providing a solid substitute for a traditional dashcam. Some even have advanced features like 4K video recording and cloud storage.

Car camera for safety on the roadM2020, Shutterstock

A Dashcam: Watch Your Battery

Remember: Some free dashcam apps display ads that can drain your phone's battery. To avoid battery drain, just get long charging cable that can plug into your car's power outlet. 

Smartphone on mobile mount, used as navigation devicePatrick Daxenbichler, Shutterstock

3. A Security Camera

Home security is a top priority, and using your old smartphone as a security camera is an affordable way to keep tabs on your property. With a security camera app, you can easily set up a live feed. Simply link both your phones to the app—your new smartphone will manage the feed while your old one captures the footage. 

monitoring modern cctv cameras on smartphoneNew Africa, Shutterstock

Advertisement

A Security Camera: The More The Merrier

Installing a security app on all your devices is the first step to creating a live feed. Then, place your old phone near a power outlet to make sure that it stays on without losing charge. A plus about this method is that if you have more than one old phone lying around, you can create a more secure setup with multiple live feeds.

using a smartphone with a Security camera system and network connectionProduction Perig, Shutterstock

4. A Wireless Webcam

Nowadays, lots of meetings are conducted remotely with webcams. If you find yourself without a webcam or stuck with a low-quality laptop camera, don't worry—just use your old smartphone. Its built-in camera is better than most budget webcams, so you can save money without skimping on image quality.

Camera on laptop computerBlazej Lyjak, Shutter stock

A Wireless Webcam: Webcam Apps

Turning your phone into a webcam is easy with free apps. Just download a webcam app on both your old mobile and your computer, then connect them together. Once they're linked, you're all set to go. If you want to secure your phone to your monitor, consider using a magnetic mount or a tripod—both options are more affordable than purchasing a new webcam. 

Phone recording video of talking womenGeorge Milton, Pexels

Advertisement

A Wireless Webcam: App Capabilities 

With most webcam apps supporting both 720p and 1080p video, you'll have clear visuals for your meetings. 4K support is limited, but unless you're doing high-end tasks like streaming or sales calls, this probably won't be an issue. So, why not save yourself some cash and turn your old smartphone into a webcam?

smiling woman recording video on smartphoneLiza Summer, Pexels

5. An Alarm Clock

Whether it's work, school, or appointments, oversleeping isn't an option. If you need an extra alarm clock, just use your old phone.

Crop woman snoozing alarm on smartphoneMiriam Alonso, Pexels

An Alarm Clock: Personalize Your Alarm

Setting up your old phone as an alarm clock is easy. You can stick with its built-in clock or download an alarm app for extra features. For heavy sleepers, there are apps that require you to complete challenges to turn off the alarm, while those who prefer a more peaceful wake-up can choose apps that offer soothing nature sounds. 

Young female sleeping on bed in morningMiriam Alonso, Pexels

Advertisement

6. An E-Reader

Getting lost in a good book is a fun escape, and an e-reader makes it easy to carry your favorite stories wherever you go. A good e-reader can be pricey, so keep the cash in your wallet and dig out your old smartphone. 

young woman reading a book on a phone screenMcLittle Stock, Shutterstock

An E-Reader: More Options 

Start by decluttering your old phone to make space for e-reader apps like Amazon Kindle or Goodreads. The benefit here is that unlike dedicated e-readers, using your old phone allows flexibility across different platforms, enabling access to e-books from multiple sources.

phone with open Kindle app, online reading platform.sdx15, Shutteerstock

An E-Reader: Digital Libraries 

Transforming your old smartphone into an e-reader is also a great way to expand your reading options and support your local library. Nowadays, many libraries have apps that give you access to a variety of e-books and audiobooks at no cost.

young woman reading ebook on screenMcLittle Stock, Shutterstock

Advertisement

7. An MP3 Player

Remember the days when MP3 players were a separate gadget from your phone? Repurposing your old phone as a dedicated MP3 player not only saves your current phone's battery but also opens up more space for music downloads.

Black Headphones Beside Android SmartphoneMihis Alex, Pexels

An MP3 Player: Reset 

Start by doing a factory reset on your old phone, then install music streaming apps like Spotify or Apple Music. If you're a subscriber, you can enjoy offline listening and download your favorite albums. Even with the free versions of these apps, you'll still have access to a wide selection of music, though there may be ads and some limitations in functionality.

Woman holding a phone with music service SpotifyDenPhotos, Shutterstock

An MP3 Player: More Than Music

When you need a break from music, you can explore the variety of podcasts and audiobooks available on streaming services. Just be aware that some audiobooks may require additional payments or have monthly access limits.

Google Podcasts logo mobile app on a mobile screenPrimakov, Shutterstock

Advertisement

8. A Gaming Device

Mobile gaming has exploded in popularity, offering a wide range of titles from classic throwbacks to modern favorites like Pokémon Go. By making your old phone into a gaming device, you can tap into a large library of games to keep you entertained while you're on the go.

man playing video game on smartphoneSamer Daboul, Pexels

A Gaming Device: Games Galore 

With a stable Wi-Fi connection, you can find mobile games on platforms like Google Play and Apple Arcade. Clearing out unnecessary apps will give you all the storage space you need to download your favorite games.

Playing games on phone with arcadePryimak Anastasiia, Shutterstock

A Gaming Device: Play All Your Favorites 

Take your gaming experience further by using services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS Remote Play, and Steam Link to play console and PC games on your old phone. Repurposing your old phone is a fun, affordable way of extending your gameplay, especially for young gamers who don't need a brand-new device just yet.

Xbox Game Pass on Smarthphone screenMiguel Lagoa, Shutterstock

Advertisement

9. A Livestream To The World

Whether you're working from home or at the office, the view from your desk might not always be the most exciting. But why settle for a dull scene when you can turn your old phone into a window to the world?

Phone on tripod functions as web cameraParilov, Shutterstock

A Livestream To The World: World-Renowned Views 

Live webcam apps like EarthCam Webcams and EarthCam TV 2 offer access to breathtaking views from around the globe. They charge a small annual fee, but are worth it for the incredible view of Niagara Falls or getting to take in the energy of Times Square from the comfort of your desk.

Webcams EarthCam mobile app logo on phone screenPostmodern Studio, Shutterstock

A Livestream To The World: Awesome Budget-Friendly Options

It's okay if you don't want to pay for live webcam access—there are still plenty of free options available. For example, you watch animals at the San Diego Zoo through live cams set up in their enclosures. Just make sure your old phone has a reliable Wi-Fi connection to make the most of your virtual window experience.

The dog lies on the phoneBystrov, Shutterstock

Advertisement

10. A Digital Photo Frame

Nowadays, our smartphones double as our primary cameras. But why let those memories gather digital dust when you can showcase them by turning your old smartphone into a digital photo frame?

Woman hand using a tablet and watching photosAntonio Guillem, Shutterstock

A Digital Photo Frame: Sync Up

Start by making sure your desired photos are on your old phone—you can transfer them manually from your PC or via Bluetooth from your current device. You can also sync your old phone with cloud storage to access your photos.

Cloud upload from mobile phone to store dataNicoElNino, Shutterstock

A Digital Photo Frame: Keep The Family Close

With photo framing apps like Fotoo or Google Photos, you can create albums and set up cool slideshows.  Beyond your old smartphone, you can also convert an old tablet into a digital picture frame. This is a wonderful way to bring warmth to your workspace or liven up any dull corner of your home. 

Google photos application on android smartphonedennizn, Shutterstock


READ MORE

revengeinternal

If Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold, These Payback Stories Are Ice

When someone really pushes our buttons, we'd like to think that we'd hold our head high and turn the other cheek, but revenge is so, so sweet.
January 23, 2020 Eul Basa
couplesinternal

Couples Share The Surprising Realities About Living Together

Couples who move in together often have optimistic expectations of how life will be like under the same roof. But it's not always sunshine and rainbows.
January 21, 2020 Eul Basa
celebritiesinternal

People Share Their Unpleasant Encounters With Celebrities

We often assume that celebrities are the nicest people on the planet. However, that is sometimes not the case in reality.
January 23, 2020 Eul Basa
weddingint

Horrified Guests Reveal The Worst Weddings They've Ever Attended

It’s understandable that people want their weddings, the most special day in their lives, to go exactly according to plan. But that so rarely happens.
January 22, 2020 Eul Basa
featuresinternal

People Share The Surprisingly Cool Features Of Common Products

if you look a little deeper into a product's features, you might be able to find extraneous uses for it that are just as useful as its intended purpose.
January 20, 2020 Eul Basa



Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to [email protected]. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team