Most of us have at least one old smartphone sitting in a desk drawer gathering dust. It might be too slow for daily apps or missing a few updates, but its camera, Wi-Fi chip, and touch screen still work perfectly.
Instead of letting it go to waste, you can repurpose your old Android or iPhone into a free home security camera or a dedicated smart home remote. Here is how to do both in just a few minutes.
Option 1: Turn Your Old Phone Into a Home Security Camera
You do not need to buy expensive equipment to keep an eye on your home, pets, or front door. Your old phone already has everything built right into it.
Step 1: Download a Security Camera App
Apps like Alfred Camera, Camy, or TrackView make this process effortless. Download your chosen app on both your old phone and your current phone.
Step 2: Connect Both Devices
Open the app on both devices and sign in with the same account. Set your old phone as the "Camera" and your current phone as the "Viewer.
Step 3: Set Up and Position
Place the old phone in the room or spot you want to monitor. Point the camera toward the area you want to watch.
Features You Get
1_Live video streaming to your current phone
2_Motion detection alerts sent directly to you
3_Two-way audio so you can talk through the phone
4_Free cloud storage for short video clips
Option 2: Turn Your Old Phone Into a Universal Smart Remote
If you have a smart TV, smart bulbs, or streaming devices like Roku or Fire TV, searching for physical remotes gets annoying fast. An old smartphone makes a fantastic wall-mounted or couch-side controller.
Step 1: Clean Up the Phone
Delete all unnecessary apps, photos, and accounts to free up memory and speed up the phone. Keep only Wi-Fi enabled.
Step 2: Install Smart Home Apps
Download the control apps for your devices:
1_Google Home or Apple Home for smart lights and plugs
2_Roku, Fire TV, or Android TV Remote for television streaming
3_Spotify or Sonos to control home music playback
Step 3: Set Up a Dedicated Remote Screen
Place the phone on a stand near your couch or mount it to the wall using Velcro tape. Keep the smart apps right on the home screen for easy one-tap access by anyone in the house.
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3 Quick Tips for Best Performance
1_Keep it plugged in: Running a camera app non-stop drains the battery fast. Use a long charging cable so the phone never shuts down.
2_Mount it safely: Use a cheap phone tripod, a flexible mount, or double-sided tape to keep the camera steady.
3_Use a stable Wi-Fi connection: Make sure the phone is placed in a spot with strong Wi-Fi signal so the video stream does not lag.
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Repurposing your old smartphone saves you money, cuts down on electronic waste, and adds useful tech to your home for free. Pick up that old phone from your drawer today and give it a brand-new job.