Technology has gotten to the point where we feel like our year-old phone is out of date and we yearn for a new one with all the bells and whistles. If you need to replace a phone or tablet, here are great options for what you can do with your old one.
While your five-year-old tablet may not be up to your standards tech-wise, it might be a blessing to someone else. You can likely find centers in your community that accept donated electronics. Some big box stores like Staples and Best Buy, as well as thrift stores like Goodwill, accept gently used technology. If it still has some life in it, it’ll be refurbished and given to someone in need. If not, it will be responsibly recycled. Some retailers may even pay you for your old electronics.
Speaking of recycling … if your phone doesn’t have any more juice left, head to a certified e-waste recycling center in your area. They’ll dismantle the device and reuse the valuable materials inside. They’ll also remove the battery and safely process it so that it doesn’t start a fire.
If you’ve ever broken a digital device, you know how stressful it can be to not have a phone. On the off chance it happens, having your old phone lying around can ensure you have a backup to make calls and do business until you can buy a new one.
Your kid’s been clamoring for the latest gaming system, but you’re not really ready to shell out hundreds on something he might not use all that much. Instead, load up your old phone or tablet with free or cheap games, and you won’t hear another peep about that game system.
If you love playing music at home, use your old phone as a deejay. Connect it to your smart speakers and load up everyone’s favorite tunes.
Also, if you like listening to music while you walk or run but hate being interrupted by texts and calls, take your non-connected phone filled with your favorite playlists the next time you’re out.
If the phone or tablet is only a few years old, you might be able to earn a little cash by selling it. List it on Craigslist or OfferUp, but be aware you won’t get a fraction of what you paid for it.
If you don’t find a buyer this way, look for an EcoATM machine in your area. This machine will walk you through the process of inputting the make and model of the device, and will give you cash on the spot.
If you can time your next electronics purchase just right, you might find an offer to trade in your current device for credit toward a new one. This way, you no longer have to worry about what to do with the old phone, and you’ll pay less for the most up-to-date device.
Your phone might not be good enough to sell as is, but if you dismantle it, you might be able to sell its parts. The battery, charging port, and even speaker can be used in other projects. If you’re not DIY enough to know how to take apart your device and harvest it for parts, see if you can find someone who is interested in buying parts off your old device.
Rather than buying a new Kindle or other e-reader, you can turn your old device into a dedicated e-reader. Just download Kindle and any other e-reader apps you use, and store it where you love to read.
You’re constantly searching for recipes online, but then you never seem to use them. Keep your old device in the kitchen with all those recipes bookmarked. You can also download cooking apps to have ideas for dinner at your fingertips.
You might know someone who isn’t…shall we say…tech savvy. That person might not be ready to jump on Instagram or take selfies, but having a cell phone could be useful.
Give your parent or grandparent your old phone. Remove any apps they won’t need, and teach them to use the functions they will need. For example, if you and your family live far away, teaching Mom how to make a video call can help her see her grandchildren whenever she likes.
You hate how using GPS on a long road trip drains your phone, so why not have a dedicated phone just for navigation? You can also use it as a dash cam if you want to capture the view on your drive.
Bonus: you can use the phone to play podcasts and audiobooks to make the trip fly by.