5 Things to Do With an Old Smartphone*

You probably have an old smartphone that’s collecting dust in your drawer.

Why not take it out, give it a new lease in life, and perhaps make some money? Here’s how:

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Sell or Trade It In For Cash
From something that you don’t need to something you can use, selling your old smartphone is a great way to earn money. Gather up the adapter, cable, accessories and box and you can sell them on popular online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay or Craigslist. Take a few clear photos of your phone so buyers will have an idea of its condition. Then, wait for queries and when the price is right, meet up and exchange your old gadget for money.

But what if you don’t have the time or patience to post ads on Amazon or Facebook? You can sell your gadget on recycling sites such as Plunc.com for a reasonable price. Simply complete an online form, send your mobile in and wait for the cash as soon as they receive it.

Breathe New Life Into It
Are you considering buying a new remote, an mp3 player, an eBook reader or a VoIP or CCTV device? You don’t have to! Just take out the old mobile phone, download the necessary app, and voila! You’ve just turned your old gadget into a usable item.

eBook. Download the Amazon Kindle app or your favorite e-reader app, pop a few books in and you’ll have a new reader for yourself, your partner or the kids. Alternately, you can put podcasts in and connect to a wireless speaker or headphones and listen to it as you go about your day.

Music Player. Audiophiles won’t have to spend to get a new sound system. All you’ll need is your old smartphone, a music subscription or music player, your song collection and good speakers. Set it on a charging stand and stream the music via Bluetooth or speakers for parties, gatherings and when you need to unwind.

VoIP Device. A dedicated VoIP device saves your main phone from being depleted when you carry on about your day. Place it near your WiFi hotspot and a charging dock and you can enjoy unlimited video calling.

Remote Control. Replace your worn-down remote with a high-tech one. Download the appropriate app for your FireTV, Roku, Apple TV and smart TV, then tap the buttons to increase or lower volume, change channels, etc.

Turn It Into A Backup Phone
If your old smartphone is still functional, i.e., can make calls, send a text, browse the internet or download apps, then it may still work as a backup device. Get the charger and cable and bring it to full battery and you have yourself a reliable backup that can last a full week. Put it in the glove compartment, in your office locker or where you spend most of your time and you won’t have to worry being caught off-guard in terms of making important calls and for emergency reasons.

Donate It
You might think that your old gadget is useless, but other people wouldn’t, especially charitable organizations such as hospitals, libraries, schools and non-profits. If your gadget still works as intended and you still have its charger, consider looking up charities near your area instead of dumping it in the trash bin.

Have a niece, nephew or neighbor who you think will appreciate your old smartphone? Bring it with you and the next time you meet, hand it over. Their eyes will light up and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your old phone is in good hands.

Recycle It
What can you do with an old mobile phone that doesn’t power up, work or have very limited uses? You recycle it and in turn, make the environment a better place to live in.

It’s our responsibility to make sure our old tech gadgets are properly disposed. Recycle by searching for the nearest processing center and you avoid poisoning the earth with toxic chemicals, heavy metals and such. Precious components, including silver and gold may be harvested and re-used towards a new device. You can call the manufacturer directly to ask about their recycling program and have your old smartphone disposed of responsibly.

These are just some of the things you can do with your old smartphone. Keep in mind that recycling and reusing are always better options than just throwing them away.