Most people replace their phones every 2–3 years. While some opt for trade-in offers to get a discount on their new phone, others, including me, prefer to keep their old devices as backups. This cycle repeats, and before you know it, you have multiple phones collecting dust in a drawer.
So, what do you do with them? Your old phone is more than just a phone. It has great cameras, multiple sensors, a powerful processor, a high refresh rate display, and high-frequency modems. You can use each of these features to cleverly repurpose your old phone as a smart home or travel gadget.
Turn your old Samsung phone into a smart home sensor
Built-in sensors that rival dedicated smart home devices
Samsung has an official repurpose program for its Galaxy smartphones. For example, using Samsung’s Upcycling program, you can turn your Galaxy smartphone into a capable smart home sensor. It lets you turn your retired phone into a sound or light sensor that connects directly to your SmartThings ecosystem.
The setup may seem tricky at first as it involves two devices, but it’s doable. To get started, you need to install SmartThings on both your old phone and your current device, then use the Galaxy Upcycle feature to convert your old phone into a sensor. All the detection happens locally on the device, so you’re covered on the privacy front.
Your phone can recognize specific sounds like baby crying, dog barking, or glass breaking, and trigger automations instantly. Additionally, the light sensor option lets you automate your lighting based on actual brightness levels in a room. The app even manages battery health by limiting charging to 35% during continuous use.
Use it as a high-quality webcam
Better video quality than most dedicated webcams
Even in 2025, laptop manufacturers treat webcams like an afterthought. If your laptop’s webcam makes you look grainy on video calls, your old phone’s camera is probably leagues better than any webcam you’d buy for under $150.
Apps like Camo Studio, DroidCam, and Phone Link’s connected camera feature can turn your Android into a professional-grade webcam. Camo Studio stands out because it recognizes all your phone’s lenses and lets you switch between them during calls. You can connect wirelessly over your local network or use a USB cable to reduce lag.
Once set up, the difference in video quality is visible immediately as your phone’s camera handles real-time video encoding better than most dedicated webcams. Plus, it’s got built-in image stabilization and automatic focus adjustment that can put a dedicated webcam to shame.
Turn it into a security camera
Free monitoring without monthly subscriptions
Dedicated security cameras can cost hundreds of dollars, plus many require monthly subscriptions for cloud storage. Your old phone, with its camera and Wi-Fi connectivity already built in, makes a surprisingly effective security camera for free.
Apps like AlfredCamera let you reuse your phone as a camera and use another device for monitoring. To make this work, start by installing the AlfredCamera app, then switch it to Camera mode, grant the necessary permissions, and position your phone where you want to monitor.
You get live video feeds, activity detection alerts, and event playback. The free tier stores up to eight hours of recorded events, which is plenty for most home monitoring needs. You can access the feed from anywhere with an internet connection, and features like two-way talk, siren sounds, and flashlight control add extra functionality.
The biggest challenge with this setup is finding a good spot with both a power source and the right viewing angle, but it’s nothing a phone mount or tripod can’t solve.
Use it as a GPS tracker
Track your car wherever it’s parked
Dedicated GPS trackers work well, but they cost money upfront and often require subscriptions. Your old Android phone already has GPS built in, plus it can connect to the internet for real-time tracking from anywhere. So, why not turn your phone into a GPS tracker?
Android’s built-in Find My Device feature works for basic tracking. Just enable it in your phone’s settings, make sure location services are on, and you can track your phone’s location through Google’s dashboard. For car tracking specifically, apps like Life360 offer more features. While Life360 is designed for family tracking, it works perfectly for keeping tabs on where your car is parked.
The setup is simple. All you need to do is install Life360, create an account, and leave the phone in your car with a car charger to keep it powered. You can mount it with a magnetic holder or adhesive plate so it stays secure. The app shows real-time location, movement history, and even sends alerts when your car moves.
The main limitations compared to dedicated trackers are battery life and signal quality. Your phone runs background apps that drain power faster, and it might not work as well in areas with weak cellular signals. But for occasional tracking needs or short-term use, your old phone does the job without extra costs.
Your kids’ first gadget
Set up parental controls before handing it over
Instead of buying an expensive tablet for your kids, your old Android makes a perfect first device. It’s free, you already own it, and with proper parental controls, it’s safer than a full-featured phone with a cellular plan.
Start by setting up a proper screen lock with your child—a PIN or pattern they can remember, but others can’t easily guess. Enable Find My Device so you can locate it if it goes missing. Then activate parental controls in the Google Play Store with a PIN to restrict app downloads based on age ratings.
Google’s Family Link is also a useful addition for parental controls. It lets you manage screen time, approve or block apps, and monitor what your child is doing. For younger kids, switch from regular YouTube to YouTube Kids to limit inappropriate content, ads, and comments.
Handheld gaming device
A controller + emulators = portable gaming
Modern flagship phones have hardware that rivals dedicated gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. Even phones from a few years ago pack enough power to run demanding games and emulators smoothly.
The key is pairing your phone with the right controller. For larger phones or foldables, controllers like the Razer Kishi Ultra or GameSir G8 Galileo offer console-like ergonomics. For regular-sized phones, compact options like the GameSir X2s keep everything portable while still giving you physical buttons and analog sticks.
You are not restricted to only mobile games, either. Emulators like Delta (available on both iPhone and Android) let you play retro games from consoles like Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation. Then there are cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna that can give you access to PC and console games without needing powerful hardware.
The experience won’t completely replace a dedicated handheld for everyone, especially if you value the nostalgia or specific features of devices like the Steam Deck. But for casual gaming and retro titles, your old phone paired with a $50 controller delivers impressive results.
Your old phone is more capable than you realize
I have repurposed most of my old Samsung Galaxy devices, at least the ones I haven’t loaned to someone in the family. I have an S10+ being used as a baby monitor and a broken Note 20 Ultra as a webcam. Don’t let your old phone become e-waste or sit unused in a drawer. Repurposing it is good for the environment and saves you money.