Maybe that old smartphone you stopped using because you upgraded to a newer model? The old one you had used for a couple of years but when the new one arrived, you just threw it in the bin? Do you want to make a fresh start and give new life to your old mobile phone? In this article, we are going to reveal three very interesting tips on how to repurpose the old phone and turn it into a CCTV camera, a universal remote control, and a gamepad. Not only will these projects help you save money, but it also helps in reducing the usage of electronics, hence reducing electronic waste as well as bringing out the geek in you. So, let’s not waste any time—let’s get started on bringing that old mobile phone back to life!
How to Make Your Old Phone into a CCTV Camera?
Have you ever wanted to monitor your house while you are not around but cannot afford to pay for security cameras? Well, you might be surprised, but your old phone might be the solution for your problems!
Step 1: Download a Surveillance App
To start with, you are going to require getting your hands on some surveillance app downloaded from the internet. Indeed, there are many such apps, still, the most famous ones for you to choose from are Alfred, IP Webcam, and Manything. These apps enable you to turn your old phone into a camera that feeds live video to your current phone or PC.
Step 2: Position Your Camera
Once the app is downloaded, look for a suitable place to position your poorly disguised security camera. Perhaps you wish to keep an eye on your front door, watch over your pets whenever you are at work, or even use it as a baby cam.
Step 3: Ensure Continuous Power
To begin, you must connect your phone to a stable source of Wi-Fi and ensure it’s charged, as it will be acting as a camera. One should consider purchasing an extended charging cable or a portable power bank to avoid your surveillance cameras running out of power at the worst times.
Pro Tip:
If you’re someone with a creative side, you can create a stand or mount for your phone out of materials that you likely possess at home. Yes, a basic phone holder, you can make it from a hanger or buy a PVC pipe and cut it according to the size of your grip!
Benefits:
- Cost-Effective: In terms of cost, this do–it–yourself approach is significantly more affordable than the average security system.
- Flexible: As compared to fixed cameras, you can always shift your phone-camera wherever it is needed.
- User-Friendly: Overall, most surveillance apps are user-friendly and can be installed quickly by most individuals without any technical experience.
- Multi-Functional: Some apps have features such as two-way talk, motion detection, and remote storage of the recorded videos.
Once again, while this DIY CCTV solution can be a good deterrent and a means to keep an eye on your property, it should not substitute a proper security system if you live in a dangerous neighborhood or have valuable possessions to safeguard.
Convert Your Old Phone into Universal Remote
Have you ever spent hours searching for that missing TV remote somewhere in your living room? Well, what if I told you that your old phone could replace not just one, but all the remote controls? Yup – using a proper app, the old smartphone will become a single remote for the TV, stereo, air conditioner, and numerous other electronic items!
Step 1: Check for IR Blaster
The first step in preparing your old phone is to verify that it has a built-in infrared (IR) blaster. This option was natively included in many Android-based smartphones several years ago. Technically, that’s fantastic if your phone comes with an IR blaster.
Step 2: Download a Remote App
The answer is really simple: download the AnyMote or SURE Universal Remote application and you are almost done.
Step 3: Use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth if No IR Blaster
So, if your phone does not come with an IR blaster – Don’t worry, there are still options available for you! You can still use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to control many modern devices. Any program like Unified Remote or Roku can easily transform it into an efficient remote controller for smart TV, streaming devices, and your computer. After installing the app of your choice, you will need to complete a setup procedure to sync with the devices. This usually means being connected to the same Wi-Fi network and, in some cases, entering a code displayed on your TV or another device.
Pro Tip:
Designate an area close to your couch or bed as a ‘remote control center’. For the new universal remote control, a standalone phone stand or a recycled picture frame can enhance easy accessibility for the device as it is charged.
Benefits:
- Declutter: Say goodbye to those messy piles of remotes that crowd your coffee table!
- Never Lose It: Compared to traditional remotes, your phone-remote is much bigger and simpler to locate.
- Customizable: Most of the remote apps enable you to design layouts and macros allowing you to control multiple devices in one touch.
- Future-Proof: When you introduce new smart devices into your home, you can use your phone-remote to manage them most of the time without having to purchase extra equipment.
Use Your Old Phone as a Gamepad
Love gaming, but don’t like that when you have to buy a new controller, it costs a lot of money? Well, guess what? There’s nothing quite like giving new life to your old phone! With a touch of creativity, you can turn your old device into a fully functional gamepad for your PC or console games.
Step 1: Download a Gamepad App
To do this, you’ll need to find the right gamepad app. Today, there are plenty of apps available that enable you to control your PC from your Android device. Some of the most popular options include DroidJoy, PC Remote, Monect PC Remote, among others. These applications provide the capability of touchscreen and accelerometers of phones as input interfaces for your games.
Step 2: Ensure Connectivity
With mobile control for PC gaming, you might have to download a counterpart program on your computer to get inputs from your phone. Ensure that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi connection for optimum performance.
Step 3: Enhance Your Gamepad
But if you want to be much ruder, you can design actual buttons that will turn your phone into a gamepad. There are do-it-yourself kits that enable one to add wires to the gloves or even stick-on buttons for a more realistic gaming experience.
Pro Tip:
If the previous phone you have had a large screen, the better idea is to split half of the screen as the direction pad and the other half as the commands’ pad. This layout is similar to conventional game controllers and may be easier for gamers to get used to while playing.
Benefits:
- Cost-Effective: Spend less on expensive gaming peripherals.
- Portable: It’s great to have a phone game pad to help you in gaming when you’re on the go.
- Customizable: Some of the gamepad apps have the option of presenting buttons in a manner that suits the type of games that are being played.
- Multi-Functional: The phone can also act as a controller, an additional display, or a voice-chatting option in multiplayer games.
Conclusion
And that is it – three brilliant ideas that will make your old phone useful and interesting again! Whether you are tightening the security in your home, making your entertainment more straightforward, or trying to improve your gaming performance, such projects show that your old device still has a lot of work to be done. Moreover, these are cost-effective solutions, which prevent electronic waste from being produced as your devices have a longer life span. Furthermore, there seems to be some sort of personal accomplishment from taking old and seemingly useless pieces of technology and molding them into something new and useful.
Thus, the next time when you are about to throw that old phone in the drawer or even the trash bin, think about these projects. It can be turned into a useful tool that has a significant positive impact on your day by using a little imagination and several apps that are available for free.
Have you attempted any of these endeavors? Well, do you have other ideas of what one can do with old phones besides donating them to organizations or schools? Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below – I’d really appreciate it if you could share a few words with me.
