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What to Do With An Old Smartphone

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What do you do with your old mobile phone that’s been gathering dust in your drawer, storage box or garage?

Good question. Truth is, you can still use old smartphones that are way past their prime. Here are 5 of the best ways to get started.

1. Put Your Phone Up For Sale

Turn your smartphone into quick cash by listing it up for sale on the internet.

Test the device first and see if it works. Hold the “on” button and see if it powers up. Then, plug in the charger and any accessory. Your old cell phone can still fetch a tidy sum if you have the box, manual and cables along with the unit.

Post your old tech up for sale on Facebook, Craigslist or eBay. Upload a clear photo so interested individuals can take a closer look. Include a helpful description regarding its condition and hardware specifications, for example. Wait for the perfect offer to come up and you’ll have your device exchanged for money.

Recycling sites such as Plunc can give you a reasonable quote for used tech. Fill up a form online, then send the gadget in. Once they receive the item, you’re immediately given the payment.

2. For Backup Purposes

Smart phones are usable as long as they can still make a call, download an app or browse the internet. If your phone can do any of these, then you can use it as a sort of backup when your primary device fails.

Power up your phone, give it a full charge and activate its network. Keep it within easy reach, such as your locker, glove compartment or bag and charge it up once or twice a week. You’ll rest easier knowing that you have a backup phone that can call, send a text or give you directions when your main smartphone’s battery is dead.

Do you have a son or daughter that doesn’t have a phone yet? Give them your old cell and you’ll have a line between you at all times. If it’s an old model, teach them how to initiate a call or how to send an SMS.

3. Turn It Into A Cool New Gadget

The beauty of mobile phones is that they can be made into a specific device, for example a radio, a remote control, a dedicated music player, eBook reader and others.

Music Player. Slot in an expansion storage, add your favorite playlist and you can have a music player. Download your preferred streaming app or music subscription service and connect the phone to a speaker system. Plug it to a static charging dock or a 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker and dock and turn it on for a wonderful acoustic experience.

eBook Reader. Access the Play Store or App Store and download a suitable e-Reader app. Sideload some books and open it up when you’re in the mood for some reading. For added value, you can also download podcasts or audiobooks and listen to them on the go.

VoIP Device. Do you do a lot of Facetime or video calling for work? A dedicated VoIP device will keep you from seeing a “low battery” phone at the end of the day. Get your old smartphone and affix it to a nearby Wi-Fi area and a charger, and your primary phone will never run out of power again.

Remote Control. TV and set-top box manufacturers have apps that turn any smartphone into an extra remote. You can go on Play Store or the App Store and get these for free (or for a nominal price) so you won’t have to spend a long time searching for the remote.

4. Donate Your Old Phone

Donating your old tech for a good cause is a great option if you have more than one old device. Visit the local hospital, charity organization, school, library or goodwill centers and hand your item as a gift. You can be sure they’ll put it to good use.

5. Recycle And Help Reduce E-Waste  

Recycling your old gadgets is the most responsible thing you can do to save mother earth. Don’t just throw it in the bin or it will end up in a landfill and pollute the environment. Give it to recycling centers and they’ll be able to extract valuable materials and dispose of it in a proper manner.

Remember, you can always sell your phone for cash, donate it to charity or re-purpose it into a new device. Be responsible and you’ll save the environment in your own special way.