What to do with old mobile phones: 14 genius uses

Don’t know what to do with old mobile phones? Don’t throw those old phones away until you’ve checked out these ideas that can give your old mobile phones new life – even if only for parts.

Make your old mobile phones permanent bedside companions with an app that can help you fall asleep or ease you into your day. Try CARROT Alarm, a fun twist on an alarm clock with witty dialogue, song, and an innovative wake-up system. Or download Pzizz to help guide you into a deep sleep and then gently wake you up in the morning. Since there’s no need to schlep that extra phone around all day, leave it bedside to recharge. But don’t keep it charging all day or you’ll waste money.

Use that built-in camera and a WiFi connection to turn your old mobile phone, tablet or laptop into a security system. Download an app like Presence or, as Popular Science suggests, “set up a separate Skype account on an old laptop, then set the program to automatically accept incoming video calls. This will allow you to call home from the office or the commute and check in on your pets whenever you like – with no complicated software to set up and no price to pay.”

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Old mobile phones or tablets can make a great baby monitor, especially when you’re travelling and want to check-in. Try an app like Dormi. Once connected to WiFi, the app will alert your current mobile phone if the little guy starts making noise. You can even soothe your babe remotely by talking back to them.

Download a simple reading app to your old phone and hand it off to the kiddos. They’ll enjoy looking like mummy or daddy while they learn.

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There are many organisations that can benefit from selling your refurbished or recycled device. Try donating to givenow.com.au, which donates your mobile phone to those less fortunate. Other local charities also offer mobile recycling programs that help people in need, so google ‘donate mobile phone’ to see what charities you most connect with. Most will accept devices in any condition from any service provider. Want to wipe your own device first? Try a factory reset.

Looking for a way to raise money for a non-profit organisation? Selling old devices can be an easy-to-manage fundraising program. Go to a fundraising site to create your own fundraising page and encourage your community to trade in old mobile phones, tablets and computers.

Spousal abuse centres will distribute old mobile phones to women and children who are in abusive situations so that they can use the phones to call for help in the event of an abusive situation. DV Safe Phone is an initiative in Queensland, Australia that allows you to wipe your phone and send it on so that it can be forwarded to someone in need.

If your discarded device is in good shape (and even if it’s not), it may be worth some bucks. Try selling your old mobile phone directly to a buyer through eBay or Gumtree to reap the most cash. Some sites have buy-back programs for mobiles in any condition, Google what’s available in your area.

Set up your old phone as an mp3 player. Then if you’re beach or poolside, there are no worries if it gets wet or sandy. Or use it as a radio; you can stream music on your old mobile phone via TuneIn Radio from all across the country.

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