Do you have an old smartphone laying around that you no longer use? Maybe you’ve thought about selling it, donating it to charity, or using it for some undetermined purpose. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do with the device even if the service plan is minimal or non-existent. As long as the battery is chargeable and the phone is in good working order, you have a multitude of options. Here are some of the most common ways people use extra smartphones.
Backup Emergency Phone
You don’t even need a service plan to turn your old smartphone into a backup emergency unit. By law, every cell phone has access to the 911 emergency network response system. Many people re-purpose their unneeded telephones, pack them away in a secret compartment of a purse or backpack, and use them to call 911 whenever necessary. It’s a nice way to always have an emergency line even if you are out in the woods and have none of your regular items with you.
Notetaker and Calculator
With no service plan, you can still use the apps that came loaded with your phone, like the notetaker, built-in calculator, and others. Keep the device charged up and stored in your purse or glove compartment. Then, when you’re stuck somewhere without your regular phone or tablet, you can jot down notes or short reminders on the old device. If you keep a minimal service plan, like two or three hours of internet connection per month, use the time for worthwhile chores like accessing online financial calculators. You can do all sorts of valuable tasks, like budgeting a home renovation or previewing your potential savings from refinancing student loans. Considering the money you can save when you restructure your education debt, this is one of the most productive ways to use an extra smartphone.
Powerful Flashlight
Look in the onscreen apps section for settings and go to wherever the back-light function is listed. There will be a way to turn it up all the way, which essentially converts the screen into a powerful spotlight. Remember to keep the battery fully charged so you can use the screen as your go-to flashlight any time you need it. This is an ideal way to look for missing car keys or contact lenses because the beam is so powerful and bright.
Anywhere E-Reader
Small screens aren’t always the best way to read an e-book, but they’ll do in a pinch. As a backup e-reader, you can’t go wrong, and most Androids or iPhones have enough memory to hold quite a few books, so once the content is loaded, you don’t even need to go online to read it. Plus, even if you have no data plan, it’s likely you can transfer new content to the old device’s memory via a small cable connected to any computer.
Alarm, Stopwatch, Timer, Clock
Want a powerful sleep alarm, perfect stopwatch, or accurate clock anytime you need one? Store your old cellphone in the car or in your purse and use it whenever, without having to interrupt calls or connections on your other devices. As long as the batteries are charged, you’re good to go.
