Cupertino releases new models iPhone And iPad faster than previously released devices age. Smartphones and tablets that are 5-6 years old can be used to perform some tasks at home, given to relatives, or installed in a car.
Now let’s talk about the most useful applications of your old devices. We found a problem even for models with iOS 8/9.
1. Give to children or older relatives.
The old gadget is quite suitable for video calls with grandma or as a dialer for primary schoolchildren. Even if your child is still too early to own a smartphone, he will probably periodically ask for your gadget for games. Dedicate an old iPhone or iPad to this.
Topic: How to set up YouTube for kids on iPhone or iPad. Blocked communication channels, limited viewing time
If your device supports iOS 17You can enable simplified interface system mode.
Which device is suitable: It all depends on the tasks that need to be solved using this gadget. When you need a dialer, a device for reading news and instant messengers, almost any device with iOS 12 and newer. Next, focus on your work scenarios.
2. Use as a 4G modem.
You can request that you adapt your old smartphone to distribute the Internet on the road. Those not affected drain the battery of the base iPhone. The main thing is to make sure that the selected tariff has an option for traffic distribution.
Topic: How to manage an Internet hotspot on iPhone. We keep traffic under control
Which device is suitable: Modem mode is available since iOS 8.1. You can distribute the connection even from an old one Iphone 4s, but the modem speed of this smartphone leaves much to be desired. It is better to take a fresher device, for example in iPhone 5/5c modem speed increased to 100 Mbit/sand in newer models even higher.
If you want to distribute the Internet at a frequency of 5 GHz, you need a minimum iPhone 12.
3. Assemble a video surveillance system
Using special applications and services, you can build a simple video surveillance system. This is useful, for example, for looking after small children or pets during your stay.
You just need to soften the device in a room with good visibility and ensure it is connected to an outlet. You can set up video surveillance according to our instructions.
Which device is suitable: Even the oldest iPhone models with iOS 6 and newer. Of course, the better the smartphone, the better the picture from the camera. To avoid constantly running the viewing application on most gadgets, you can connect another old iPhone or iPad to the monitor. You will need a device with at least iOS 8.
What applications are needed:
▶ Much – iOS 6 for gadget camera and iOS 8 for monitor;
▶ AtHome Camera Pro Security App – iOS 9 and newer;
▶ CCTV camera – iOS 11 and newer;
▶ Cloud baby monitor – iOS 12 and newer;
▶ Monitoring at first – iOS 12 and newer.
4. Replace the radio and on-board computer in the car.
Many people underestimate the capabilities of old gadgets in the car. The iPhone in the device can be used as a switched-off system, a video recorder, a vital indicators monitor, a tracker, or a mobile navigator (so as not to discharge the main smartphone).
Which device is suitable: Depending on the tasks and placement options in the car, the appropriate iPhone or iPad will be suitable.
▶ To listen to music in the car, choose any model with a music player or your favorite streaming service app. You can connect the gadget to the audio system using a cable or FM transmitter.
▶ Recommended app to use as a dash cam: Smart Dash Cam (iOS 9 and news) or DVR. GPS video recorder (iOS 11 and newer).
▶ You can monitor your car’s performance via an OBD scanner, and the data can be output to a connected smartphone or tablet using the Car Scanner app (minimum iOS 10).
▶ You can track the location of a car with an iPhone inside through the standard Latitude application, you will need it from your gadget iOS 14 and newer.
▶ You can install Yandex Maps or 2GIS on your smartphone navigator – you will need iOS 14 and newer, you can use an older system for not the most current versions of the application.
5. Use as a secondary screen for Mac
iPhone and iPad models with the transition to Retina matrices are equipped with standard displays. You can adapt an old device and display on it the information necessary for work, widgets from macOS Sonomainstant messengers viewed in the background of a video or something else.
Which device is suitable: to use iPad in Strollerneed a tablet with iPadOS 13 and newer, for Universal control the desired device with iPadOS 15.4 and newer.
For a device with older firmware versions, you can use, for example, the Duet Display application (iOS 12 and new products) or Yam Display (iOS 8 and newer).
Even an iPhone with iOS 7 and the new product can be turned into a screen for Mac.
6. Turn it into a video calling camera on Apple TV or Mac.
If you Apple TV 4K 2nd or 3rd direction (2021 and 2022 release) with tvOS 17 installed, you can configure the set-top box for video calls via FaceTime. You can use an old smartphone or tablet for this.
Topic: How to use FaceTime on Apple TV. Video calls on a big screen TV
You can also use your smartphone for video calls Mac mini, Mac Studio or Mac Pro without built-in webcam.
Which device is suitable: to connect to Apple TV Suitable for any smartphone starting from iPhone xs/xr With iOS 17 or iPad 8th generation, iPad Pro 3rd generationany “mini” and “air” with iPadOS 17.
To work with Poppy Under iPhone xs/xr and newer from iOS 16in fact you need a minimum computer macOS Ventura.
7. Use as a night light or bedside clock.
The gadget can be installed on the bedside table and connected to charging. After that, using applications or standard features, you can turn on a photo slideshow, display a clock, a calendar, or a list of upcoming to-dos.
Which device is suitable: You can set the bedside clock mode on any iPhone or iPad model.
On smartphones with iOS 17 you can activate a new mode Expectationand on older devices, use third-party applications.
8. Make a reader out of a gadget
Users who love books, magazines or comics, but have not yet acquired a good E-ink reader, are recommended to use old smartphones and tablets for reading.
Topic: Do you need to buy an e-reader when you have smartphones?
The main gadget can be charged at this time, but you will not yet enjoy reading notifications and messages.
Which device is suitable: Any gadget of recent years has the necessary reading applications. This can be a standard e-reader, a browser, or an electronic library with a subscription. There are a lot of options for different tastes and budgets.
9. Replace your smartphone remote with Apple TV.
Do not remember that the iPhone can be used as a remote control for an Apple TV set-top box. Just look in Settings – Control Center and press the button Apple TV remote. Now in a curtain with rotary block switches to control the consequences with attachments.
Which device is suitable: any iPhone With iOS 12 and newer.
10. Control smart gadgets in your home.
Many people already have smart light bulbs, sockets or other devices labeled “smart” in their apartment. Managing them from your main smartphone is not always convenient. To do this, you can use an old iPhone or iPad, which will be left in the living room or on a tube near the sofa.
Which device is suitable: if you use an app-based smart home House from Apple, the required devices with at least iOS 10if everything is created on the ecosystem Xiaomito control devices with iOS 9 and newer.
Write your scenarios for using old gadgets in the comments.
Source: Iphones RU

I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.