Breathe new life into your old iPhone or iPad with these simple ideas
If you are like me, you probably have at least an old iPhone lying in an obsolete drawer or iPad that has not been updated for years. The use of these devices as a phone or main tablet is impossible because they no longer perform the last software and the battery life is not the best.
Even so, there are still certain things that you can do with these devices if you don’t just want to throw them away, especially at a time when some people try to spend more time away from modern technology. From an intelligent domestic controller to a pseudo-iPod, here are some ideas on how you can breathe new life into an obsolete iPhone or iPad.
Transform your iPad into a digital photo book
Ipads are excellent devices to view the photos. Even older iPads have excellent screens with colorful precision and decent light. If you have an old iPad who drags that you no longer use, why not transform it into a digital photo book?
You can put your favorite photos there, or even your graduation and wedding albums to show your friends and family from time to time.
If your iPad is not too old, iCloud may be an option to synchronize photos there. You can choose to use your main iCloud account and synchronize your entire photo library, or create a separate account only for this iPad, so that you can only choose the photos you want.
And if you have a very old iPad, like a first generation iPad, you can still transfer photos using a Mac or PC – just like in ancient times.
Take advantage of classic games
Mobile games have evolved a lot in recent years, to the point where we have games at the console available for the latest iPhones and iPads. Ancient devices cannot perform these games, but some classic games can be compatible with them.
Foundry
If you just go to the App Store and try to download an application on an old iPhone or iPad, you will probably see an error message saying that this application requires a more recent version of iOS. But there is a tip for getting older versions of an application for an old version of iOS.
- Open the App Store.
- Look for the Purchasing tab (it can be under your account> Applications depending on the iOS version).
- Press the Cloud icon to download the desired applications.
If the application always has an old version compatible with your device available on the App Store, you will be invited to install it. Web applications (like YouTube and Netflix) generally do not work, but old games work very well.
This is a great option when you want to play games without drainage of the battery of your iPhone, have fun with classic titles, or even transform an old iPad into a game machine for your children.
Here, for example, I have installed many classic games on my iPad 3, such as Fruit Ninja, Cut the Rope, Minecraft, Subway Surf, Crosy Road and Temple Run. Keep in mind that you must have these applications purchased in your account before you can download them on an old device.
Foundry
Use them as a smart home control
If you have intelligent house accessories (such as accessories compatible with Homekit), your old iPhone or iPad could always work as an excellent controller for your home.
There are large wall supports for tablets that allow you to fix your iPad somewhere in your living room, kitchen or bedroom, so that you can easily turn on or turn off the lights, unlock the door or control the temperature using the Home application. It is a great way to reuse this old iPad that you no longer use.
However, as Apple Migre Homekit towards a new architecture, the control of Homekit accessories will soon require a device running iOS 16 or later. From the fall of 2025, the old Homekit architecture will no longer be supported … and you will want to be on the new Home application if you also want to control the devices that use the question standard.
An old iPhone can be an excellent iPod
Some people are missing the iPod. They want a device capable of storing several songs but without all the distractions of a smartphone. Fortunately, if you have an old iPhone to lose, it can work like an excellent iPod.
Depending on the age of your iPhone, you could even benefit from the return of the headphone jack to access the iPod experience.
Foundry
You can synchronize music using a Mac or PC, so you don’t have to trust a streaming platform. And if your iPhone runs iOS 9 or subsequent version, you can always connect with your Apple ID and use Apple Music on it.
Likewise, you can also synchronize movies and clips on an old iPhone or iPad.
Finish a book on your old iPad
Surprisingly, you can always use Apple Books on many older iPads. Simply connect with your iCloud account and your entire book library will be there. Make sure your device works at least iOS 9 or a more recent version and that you are ready to leave.
Foundry
No more apologies for not having finished this book that you have been postponing for months.
Conclude
These are just a few ideas to give a second life to your iPhone or iPad instead of letting it collect dust or throw it away. Whether you want a dedicated music player, a digital photo album or an intelligent domestic controller, older Apple devices can always serve a goal.
Not all of the old aircraft can respond to requests today, but with a little creativity, you could be surprised by their useful. So, before recycling this old iPad or iPhone, remember to give them a new role, you might eventually love them again.
