10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Old Apple Devices
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One of the best things about Apple devices is that they're built to last. Thanks to a combination of premium hardware and long-term software updates, most iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches can stay useful for years — long after we’ve moved on to something new.
Unfortunately, that leaves us with a collection of old technology at home that we're unsure what to do with.
If you’ve recently upgraded your iPhone or found an old iPad tucked away in a drawer, don’t recycle it just yet. Even older models can still serve useful, creative, or simply fun purposes.
Whether you’re looking to simplify your setup, make your home smarter, or hand down your old device to a loved one, read on for 10 ways to give new life to that older Apple device.
Turn Your Old iPhone or iPad Into a Dedicated Music Station
Remember the good old days of the iPod? Well, you can relive those times with your old iPhone. Instead of tossing it into a drawer, simply turn it into your go-to music player.
Using your old iPhone as a music player will let you go to the gym or for a walk without being bothered by notifications from your main iPhone. Additionally, if your main device doesn't have enough battery, you can still cue up your favorite playlists at any time.
On the other hand, if you have an iPad, you can leave it at home and use it as a stereo system. Most iPads feature excellent speakers that allow you to enjoy your music with clarity. Or, you can go one step further and buy a Bluetooth speaker to take your music game to the next level.
Use Your Older iPhone or iPad to Control Your Smart Home
Nowadays, it's easier than ever to create a smart home. All you need is the right accessories and apps on your iPhone. You also don't need to use your main iPhone or iPad to manage your home; you can use your older devices instead.
Since it's an older device, you can leave it at home, allowing anyone to control features like lights or thermostats. They won't need to bother you to change something, and you won't waste battery life or storage space on apps you rarely use.
Display Memories With a Digital Photo Frame
Most Apple devices have gorgeous screens that we can and do look at all the time. And it would be a shame not to make the most of this display just because you have a new Apple device with you.
The good news is that you can now use your older devices as a digital photo frame. Load up your iPad with pictures of your favorite trips and memories, and you can watch them on repeat.
Alternatively, if you want a more personal picture frame of your significant other, you can keep a selfie on your older iPhone nearby on your desk.
The best part is that you don’t have to stick with the same photo all the time. You can create slideshows and even sync your older devices so you can always see your newest memories as soon as you capture them.
Turn Your Old Apple Watch Into a Dedicated Sleep Tracker
While the newest Apple Watch Series 11 can provide up to 8 hours of battery life with a quick 15-minute charge, that may still not be enough to last you through the entire day. And if you use your Apple Watch at night to track your vitals, you might have a hard time having enough power while you're out and about.
Luckily, if you have an older Apple Watch, you can turn it into a dedicated sleep tracker. You'll still get all the benefits of any Apple Watch, meaning you'll get to see your sleep quality, your heart rate, and — depending on your Apple Watch — even your blood oxygen levels and potential hypertension risks, without compromising your main Apple Watch's battery life.
Use Your Older Device as a Dedicated E-Reader for Books and PDFs
As we mentioned earlier, the screens on most Apple devices are easy on the eyes for prolonged viewing, making older devices excellent e-readers.
If you have an older iPhone with a smaller display, this might not be suitable for you. However, if you have an iPad or even a Mac, you can easily turn it into a dedicated e-reader.
These devices may be harder to hold for extended periods, but the larger screen and extended battery life will make them perfect companions for bookworms.
The best part is that they can read almost any type of file, and you can even use them to edit or highlight quotes you want to remember.
Repurpose It as a Baby Monitor or Pet Camera
There’s no need to buy an expensive baby monitor if you already have an old iPhone or iPad with a decent camera.
Instead, you can install an app like Cloud Baby Monitor or Alfred, position your iPhone or iPad in your kids' room (you might need a tripod or wall mount), and you're all set.
If you have a fairly new Apple device, the camera quality will be better than that of most baby monitors on the market, and you'll be able to keep tabs on your loved ones from anywhere.
Create a Kid-Friendly Entertainment and Learning Device
Yes, iPad babies are everywhere right now, and that's not necessarily a good thing. However, with the right parental controls, an iPad, iPhone, or even a Mac can be the perfect tool for your kids.
You can hand down your old device to your child for educational or entertainment purposes. If you download the right apps and monitor their activity, they can use your old device to learn, grow, and even watch their favorite shows.
Of course, you still need to remember to set up parental controls and Screen Time, so you can monitor what they're doing with their new device.
Use It as a GPS Navigator for Road Trips or Hiking
Believe it or not, your old iPhone or iPad can still be a great tool if you like the outdoors. Even without cellular service, your iPhone can still provide GPS tracking as long as you download the maps beforehand.
Using an older iPhone can still be beneficial while hiking, as it can help you avoid annoying notifications that can ruin your trip. Additionally, without any extra apps or notifications, and with Low Power Mode enabled, your old device will have more battery life than your new one.
Turn Your Old Mac Into a Local Media Server
Most older Macs can be repurposed to serve as a hub for local media storage in your home theater setup. You can keep your favorite movies and shows for playback on a big-screen TV, or connect it to the internet to binge-watch Netflix or Disney+.
Thanks to the larger battery life, great speakers, and amazing displays on most Macs, you can also enjoy watching movies and shows directly — an especially great option if you have an iMac.
Turn Your Old iPad Into a Second Monitor
One of the best features of newer iPads is their ease of connection to your Mac. You can seamlessly move your cursor to your iPad and control it, or turn your iPad's screen into a second monitor for work and productivity.
With Apple’s Sidecar feature or even a third-party app, you can extend your Mac's display to your iPad.
To use this feature, you'll need an iPad with iPadOS 13 or a later software update, a Mac with macOS Catalina or a later update. Both devices must be using the same Apple ID and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.
From there, you can use Sidecar to connect your Mac and iPad, allowing you to move content between screens or have multiple apps open for enhanced productivity. You'll still be able to use your iPad normally, allowing you to switch to other apps if needed.
Don't Throw Your Older Devices Just Yet
Before you toss that old iPhone, iPad, or Mac, remember: Apple devices are built to endure. Think twice before discarding your older tech when you upgrade; you might be surprised at what it can still do — especially since Apple devices age gracefully and remain useful for years.
With a little creativity and the right apps, your past iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs can keep earning their place at home as practical tools for work and family use — and when it’s finally time to say goodbye, Apple’s recycling program ensures nothing goes to waste.