Billions of phones are discarded every year: 5 ways to give an old Android a second life.

Every year, billions of phones end up in waste, and only about 20% of e-waste is properly recycled. Instead of throwing them away, old Android devices can be given a second life.

This is reported by BGR.

Surveillance camera from a phone

Old smartphones have good cameras — that's enough for home video surveillance. The Alfred Camera app can be installed in minutes and works for free (with limitations and ads), and there’s a subscription for permanent use at $5.99/month or $2.49/month if paid annually.

Dedicated mobile hotspot

Turn an old Android into a dedicated hotspot for a tablet, laptop, or console on the go. This does not drain the main phone and allows you to get a separate plan just for mobile internet.

Navigation and Android Auto in the car

If the car doesn't have a modern multimedia system, use an old phone as a navigation screen. You only need a reliable holder and a car charger. You can run Android Auto or simply Google Maps or another GPS app.

Webcam for calls and streams

Many old phones have better front cameras than budget webcams. Install DroidCam (there’s integration with OBS for streaming), Camo Camera, or Iriun — and use your smartphone as a standard webcam for meetings and broadcasts.

Emergency/backup phone

Keep the device charged as a backup: download offline maps and basic apps in case of trips, hikes, or emergencies. This adds security and does not drain the battery of the main phone.

Remember, the speed of the internet connection on the smartphone directly affects the comfort of use. If pages load with delays or videos are constantly buffering, the first thing to check is whether the issue is with the connection itself.

We also noted that the smartphone performs hundreds of background processes daily and accumulates temporary files that gradually reduce its performance. Regular reboots help free up resources, prevent crashes, and install important updates.

Old smartphones can be useful even when they are no longer used as the main phone. Thanks to apps and services that allow you to turn the device into a surveillance camera, a hotspot, or a webcam, they can find new uses in everyday life and travel.