{"id":578083,"date":"2023-06-10T16:00:33","date_gmt":"2023-06-10T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2023-06-10T16:00:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-10T13:00:33","slug":"dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"#Don\u2019t Throw Away Your Old Phone Just Yet \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a412bed6ec89\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a412bed6ec89\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/#Its_a_Great_Backup_Device\" >It\u2019s a Great Backup Device<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/#Use_it_as_an_External_Storage_Device\" >Use it as an External Storage Device<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/#Use_It_as_a_Media_Player\" >Use It as a Media Player<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/#You_Can_Use_it_to_Boost_Your_Security\" >You Can Use it to Boost Your Security<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/#Keep_the_Kids_Entertained\" >Keep the Kids Entertained<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet-review-geek\/#Donate_or_Recycle_It\" >Donate or Recycle It<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"article-content-area\">\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage size-full wp-image-155184\" data-pagespeed-no-defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2023\/06\/a96b41a6.png?width=1200\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\">Justin Duino \/ Review Geek<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It may be tempting to throw away an old phone once your upgrade arrives, but it can still be a useful tool. You can use it as storage, as a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a> player, as a way to enhance your security, or as a device you can trust your kids with.<\/p>\n<p>People tend to upgrade their phones somewhat regularly, with the average American purchasing a new device every two to three years. But just because your old phone is a little obsolete, doesn\u2019t mean you should toss it in the trash or trade it in for a few dollars off your new device.<\/p>\n<p>There are a bunch of uses for an old phone, and we\u2019ll make some suggestions here. But as phones get more powerful, the possibilities expand. The things we\u2019re suggesting below don\u2019t take much effort or any technical know-how, but if you\u2019re comfortable getting into it you could do an awful lot with what is essentially a small, powerful computer.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Its_a_Great_Backup_Device\"><\/span>It\u2019s a Great Backup Device<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-135631\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/11\/9aaa56dd.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/155149\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet\/iPhone 14 Pro on HaloLock Shift Wireless charging puck, resting on desk\">Marcus Mears III \/ Review Geek<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You can use an old phone as a backup for your new phone. This isn\u2019t to say that you should leave it in a drawer and forget about it\u2014there are some little things you\u2019ll have to do to ensure that your old phone is stored properly.<\/p>\n<p>Just be sure to charge your old phone to around halfway, and then briefly plug it back in every few months to maintain that battery level. You may also want to disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to reduce battery usage. An older phone\u2019s battery may be showing signs of degradation, and storing that battery with either a full charge or no charge can cause it to deteriorate even further.<\/p>\n<p>So why is this worth the effort? It\u2019s an instant, good-quality backup if anything h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ens to your new phone. Even if your new phone is insured, there is still a period between your new phone going missing, breaking, or being stolen and that phone being replaced. Instead of sitting without a phone in the meantime, you can simply acquire a new SIM card (or use the one from your newer phone) and plug it into your old phone while you wait for a real replacement.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_it_as_an_External_Storage_Device\"><\/span>Use it as an External Storage Device<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-155158\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2023\/06\/041af444.jpg\" alt=\"Person using the Mophie Powerstation Pro AC to charge a laptop and phone\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Hannah Stryker \/ Review Geek<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Why throw away an old phone when you can use it as a storage device? If you splashed out on a phone with a lot of memory, or inserted a beefy Micro SD card that your new device won\u2019t accept, this is pretty much a must. Even if your old phone is a very cheap or basic model, chances are you still have at least a hundred gigabytes of storage available.<\/p>\n<p>While it is a touch less convenient than a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/106962\/why-you-need-to-own-an-external-ssd\/\">dedicated external SSD, an old phone is a perfectly serviceable digital storage device. You can load it up with any photos, videos, and files you would like to back up. Although an actual external drive has its benefits, an old phone has some unique perks too. If you connect it to Wi-Fi, it can be used to email files to yourself or anyone else, or upload them to a service like Dropbox. It\u2019s also portable, should you need to take those files on the move.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_It_as_a_Media_Player\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_2\">Use It as a Media Player<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-155186\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2023\/06\/c75a1980.jpg\" alt=\"Person watching The Office on an iPhone\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Jason Montoya \/ Review Geek<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Media players still have a lot of use, and an old phone works well as one. Streaming apps like Spotify and Netflix have reduced the need for a dedicated media player with local media files. But there are still situations where a dedicated music or movie-playing device is still useful.<\/p>\n<p>Even in our modern world, there are plenty of\u00a0places where you can\u2019t get a cellular or Wi-Fi signal. And if you want to access streaming media on an airplane, you\u2019ll need to fork out for an expensive in-flight Wi-Fi connection. You can, of course, put some music on your phone as a backup. But storage space may be at a premium on your newer smartphone, and that fancy David Bowie compilation may have to make way for more pet videos at some point.<\/p>\n<p>This is where an old phone comes in handy. Load it up with music, throw a few movies on there too if you want, and simply charge it up and drop it in your pocket before you head out. If the battery has degraded somewhat, it doesn\u2019t matter too much. Your new \u201cMP3 player\u201d or \u201cvideo player\u201d doesn\u2019t need an internet connection, and features like airplane mode can save enough juice to make the battery seem good as new.<\/p>\n<p>Your old phone may also have a headphone jack, which makes it a more useful media device than most modern phones! If not, it will at least have Bluetooth, which gives it the ability to connect to a wide array of headphones and speakers.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_Can_Use_it_to_Boost_Your_Security\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_3\">You Can Use it to Boost Your Security<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-152874\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2023\/05\/88399fdc.png\" alt=\"Google Authenticator app in an iPhone's spotlight search.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Andrew Heinzman \/ Review Geek<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Security concerns are one of the main reasons you may be looking to upgrade your phone. Eventually, manufacturers stop rolling out security updates for their older devices. This leaves your phone and everything on it vulnerable as new exploits emerge.<\/p>\n<p>But, somewhat ironically, an older device can actually enhance your security. You have the option of disconnecting an old phone from the internet entirely, and an internet connection is the main thing that opens phones up to attacks.<\/p>\n<p>Most 2FA authenticators, including those from Microsoft and Google, will work without an internet connection. You can also use your old phone to store backup keys for your accounts. Because your device is only around for security purposes, you also have less chance of losing it and getting locked out of everything as well. All you need to do is disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and\u00a0you can easily create a system where your most important accounts can only be accessed through physical contact with your old phone. Just remember to set a PIN number or password.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep_the_Kids_Entertained\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_4\">Keep the Kids Entertained<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-155188\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2023\/06\/86de737a.png\" alt=\"A child playing on a phone while wearing headphones.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/redhead-preteen-boy-sitting-on-couch-2036995859\">Prostock-studio\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You can use an old phone to entertain your kids risk-free. As it isn\u2019t 1920, you can\u2019t really entertain kids by shoving them outside with a stick and a pile of bricks. They need loud noises and bright screens these days.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, kids treat expensive devices the same way that they treat sticks or piles of bricks. Expensive electronics don\u2019t like to be treated this way, and will likely break if they\u2019re hurled across a room to a chorus of giggles, or shoved into a bowl of apple sauce.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, this is another area where older phones can be useful. Even old phones are powerful enough to handle a wide array of games, YouTube, and other entertaining apps. You also don\u2019t care about that old device as much as you do your new one\u2014in fact, you may not care about it at all, which is why you were considering throwing it out before reading this article. So, save the old phone for when you need to keep some small humans amused for a short time.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Donate_or_Recycle_It\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_5\">Donate or Recycle It<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-155187\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2023\/06\/206d5fba.png\" alt=\"People placing phones in a recycling bin.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/man-throwing-phones-into-recycle-bin-1487591849\">Phoenixns\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Donating or recycling your phone is also an option. If this article hasn\u2019t convinced you to keep your old phone, you should still consider where you\u2019re sending it. Only about 12% of electronic waste is currently recycled, with most going to a landfill or an incinerator. According to some sources, over five billion phones were tossed out in 2022, which is a lot of waste.<\/p>\n<p>You should be able to find an electronics recycling center in your city. And if that\u2019s too much trouble, you can simply take your old phone to a Best Buy or Home Depot\u2014both retailers will recycle old electronics for free.<\/p>\n<p>And while you may not find your old phone useful, there are many people that will. Consider hitting the factory reset button and contacting a local charity that accepts donated phones. Thrift stores are an option, though shelters and other community organizations may also be interested.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script>\nsetTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n  fbq('init', '1137093656460433');\n  fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/155149\/dont-throw-away-your-old-phone-just-yet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Justin Duino \/ Review Geek It may be tempting to throw away an old phone once your upgrade arrives, but it can still be a useful tool. You can use it as storage, as a media player, as a way to enhance your security, or as a device you can trust your kids with. People&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":578084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2023\/06\/a96b41a6.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-578083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/578083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=578083"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/578083\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/578084"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=578083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=578083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=578083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}