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10 Cool Things You Can Do With an Old iPhone

Ever since the debut of the original iPhone in 2007, they’ve been the undisputed must-have mobile device. And iPhone owners love their devices so much they come back to buy the latest model again and again. But let’s face it – iPhones are expensive, and most owners end up with a drawer full of outdated models in no time.

But just because an iPhone isn’t good enough to be a full-time phone anymore doesn’t mean it’s outlived its usefulness. If you check used iPhone 8s that are for sale, that much is obvious. And there are countless things owners can do with their old iPhones to put them to good use. To help, here’s a list of 10 cool things you can do with an old iPhone.

1. Make a Basic VR Headset

Today, virtual reality is becoming more and more common. You can find 360⁰ videos on YouTube, VR-based video games, and even live sports broadcasts that use the technology. But if you’re not willing to shell out the money to buy the latest and greatest VR headset, there’s an alternative. Just buy an inexpensive Google Cardboard headset that’s compatible with your old iPhone and boom – you’re ready to experience VR.

2. Create a Universal Remote

One of the age-old problems of the modern home is that we end up having to keep track of multiple remote controls for our devices. Well, you can skip all the hassle and turn your old iPhone into a universal remote that controls everything in your home. Some connected devices make this easy with native apps on iOS. But even old devices can work too if you add a WiFi-enabled IR repeater to your setup. You can find them online for under $20, and then you can build one remote to rule them all.

3. DIY Baby Monitor

If you’re about to have a baby, there’s a good chance you’re planning to go out and buy a network-connected baby monitor shortly. But if you’ve got an old iPhone sitting around, you don’t have to. Just purchase an inexpensive phone mount and add a baby monitor app to your old device and you’re all set. And because the average iPhone boasts video and audio quality that’s far superior to even high-end wireless baby monitors, you’ll have an unbeatable view of your new bundle of joy.

4. Handheld Gaming Console

If you’re into gaming, you may have noticed that it’s now possible to stream almost every console and PC game to any internet-connected device. And if you add a game controller like the Razer Kishi to one of your old iPhones, you’ll have a multiplatform handheld that rivals anything on the market.

5. DIY Car Infotainment System

Another great thing you can do with an old iPhone is to turn it into a DIY car infotainment system. Just buy a dashboard mount that works with your model and strip your phone down to just the apps you need in the car. In most cases, you’ll end up with an in-vehicle experience that’s better than what came with your vehicle at a fraction of the price.

6. Use it as a Portable Media Player

Most people use their smartphones for everything these days, and music’s no exception. But when you’re at home, you might not want to run down the battery on your everyday phone to listen to music while you clean and do chores. So why not pull out one of your old iPhones and use that instead? That way, you can have a music player charged and ready to use whenever you need it – and a phone that’s ready to go when it’s time to go out.

7. Create a Kitchen Assistant

If you like to cook, you no doubt shuttle back and forth from your oven to your phone to look up recipes and how-tos to make your latest culinary creations. But instead of messing up your everyday phone with food residue, you could use an old iPhone as a full-time kitchen assistant. Just buy a countertop mount and the station is near to where you cook, and you’ll never have to struggle to find kitchen help again.

8. Build a Home Security System

If you have a handful of old iPhones around, you have the makings of a top-notch home security and surveillance system. You can download a home surveillance app and use your old phones to keep tabs on your home from anywhere you are. It’s a great way to turn idle old iPhones into useful security hardware in no time flat.

9. Use it as a Travel Phone

If you like to travel, especially overseas, you might want to use one of your old iPhones as a travel phone. Just buy a SIM card when you arrive at your destination and you’ll have a local phone with internet to use while you sightsee. And, if it gets lost or stolen, you won’t have to jump through hoops reporting it to the local authorities.

10. Keep a Spare Just in Case

There aren’t many iPhone users that haven’t had the experience of accidentally damaging or breaking their phone. There are too many ways it can happen. Cracked screens, dead batteries, overheating – the list is endless.

And if you have to send your full-time phone in for repairs, why not keep a spare handy to use while you wait? If you haven’t changed carriers, getting an old phone reactivated is a snap – and it sure beats waiting anxiously for your main phone’s safe return.

So there you have it. Ten great ways to reuse old iPhones you have lying around the house. So before you check used iPhone 8s that are for sale to see how much you could sell yours for, give these options a try. We bet you’ll never look at your old phone drawer the same way again!

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