Top 10 Uses For Your Old iPhone

As Apple prepares to release new and updated devices this fall, Apple devotees may find themselves anxious to upgrade to the latest and greatest devices. The question of what to do with an old device may not be the first question asked when it’s time to upgrade, but there are many options for further utilizing your old iPhone. So before you throw your outdated iPhone in a junk drawer to be long forgotten, take a look at our top ten uses for your old iPhone.  

1. Alarm Clock

Wake up on time by using your old iPhone as an alarm clock! My favorite alarm clock app is Sleep Cycle; it uses your iPhone’s accelerometer to sense movement during sleep, which in turn maps your sleep cycles. Sleep Cycle uses a wake up phase to wake you during your lightest possible sleep state, making it much easier to wake up on time!

2. Camera and Video Recording

It’s amazing how far cell phones have come, especially in terms of camera and video recording. Using your iPhone as a camera can come in handy in several situations, and there are tons of iPhone lens adapters that can be used to make the photos look even better. You can also use the iPhone to transfer photos and other files from one computer to another.

3. Give to Child to Use as iPod or Mini iPad

If your child, younger brother, or niece is constantly “borrowing” your iPhone, why not give them your outdated iPhone to use? Take away cellular connectivity and the iPhone is essentially an iPod Touch, or a mini iPad of sorts. With a Wi-Fi connection they can download games and music, leaving you free to use your new device at your leisure – the way it should be!

4. Give to Someone Else Without an iPhone

Flip phones and land lines may be nearing extinction but the people who use them certainly aren’t. So why not give your iPhone to someone you know who’s a little behind in the tech game? As soon as I upgrade to the new iPhone 5S, I will be gifting my iPhone 4S to my mother who has never had a smartphone. She’ll be thrilled and my iPhone will have a new life!

5. Use as Universal/Apple TV Remote

Whenever I misplace my Apple TV remote I simply pull out my iPhone and use the downloaded Remote app, which works just as well.  There are several ways you can use your iPhone to control electronics connected to your home network; check out Gizmodo’s 5 Apps to Turn Your Phone Into a Universal Remote.

6. Emergency Phone

iPhones can make emergency calls without having cellular connectivity, so why not save that old iPhone for use in case of an emergency? Store in a glove compartment or safe place, and make sure to have an extra charging cable in case the battery dies.

7. Donate to Charity

If you find no use for an old iPhone and would rather donate your phone to a charitable cause, there are several nonprofit charities that will accept iPhones as donation. These charities don’t necessarily give phones to those who need a phone, but instead sell them to phone recyclers and use that money for good cause. An additional bonus: it’s a tax write-off!

8. Sell It

Wanna make some money by selling your outdated iPhone? According to CNN, now is the time to sell your old iPhone to get the most money possible. You can make several hundred dollars selling it on eBay or Craigslist, especially if it’s in great working condition. There are also several companies who buy iPhones such as Gazelle and Buy My Tronics. Make sure to avoid scams by dealing locally, and only using a credible buyback company.  

9. Recycle With Apple

Thinking of selling your iPhone for money to use towards a new iPhone? The Apple Reuse and Recycling Program may be your best bet, and you can do it all online! Simply fill out the form, indicate the condition of the phone, and ship it off. You’ll receive an Apple gift card with the trade-in amount - which can be applied to a shiny new iPhone 5S.  

10. Experiment!

What better way to know about the devices we use daily than to tear them apart and see what’s inside? It’s easy to forget that iPhones are extremely intricate devices with tons of small pieces inside; simply put, they’re tiny handheld computers. Having a basic knowledge of what’s going on inside our iPhones allows us to be more aware and less ignorant about the technology we use daily. And who knows? Maybe one day you'll be part of the iPhone repair industry!