What you can do with your old iPhone

September 11, 2018

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Mark your calendars, it’s that time of year again! Later today, Apple will finally reveal this year’s highly anticipated new iPhones and a slew of its other products.CEO Tim Cook will be leading the event that will commence at 10 AM PDT in Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California.The common consensus is that Apple will be releasing three new iPhones in 2018, including two of Apple’s biggest smartphones ever.And as usual, if you’re looking to get the latest and greatest from Apple land, you’re probably wondering what you can do with your old iPhone. Here are some suggestions:

Psst…Do you want to get the Apple unveilings while they happen? Join us today, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, as we provide a play-by-play update of the new releases at Apple as they are revealed. Tap or click here to join us on Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern.

1. Try trading it in

If you’re planning to get a shiny new iPhone soon and you don’t need to keep your old one, you can check out its trade-in value with your carrier. iPhones retain their value a bit better than other smartphones so you may be able to get a reasonable amount.

Many carriers also launch promotions each time a new iPhone is released, so keep an eye on those. You might get more for your old iPhone than what is normally offered. Retailers like Target, GameStop, Amazon and Best Buy also have their own trade-in programs for old iPhones, so keep checking around for the best deals you can possibly get.

2. You can sell it

If your iPhone is still in good shape, try selling it online. Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Craigslist are all popular sites to sell on where you can get a decent value. Facebook’s own Marketplace is also a good place to try and sell things.

You can also try specialty services like Decluttr, uSell, Gazelle, Glyde and NextWorth. Click here to read more about these services.

Pro-tip: If you have your iPhone’s original charger, box and packaging, you can command an even higher selling price.

It’s also all about presentation. Take well-lit, quality pictures from a variety of angles and be extra-detailed about the condition of your iPhone, especially if it’s still in good shape.

Be realistic when you set your prices, and be open to genuine offers from people who are looking to haggle a bit. But most of all, be honest and reasonable with your online dealings.

Just remember, before you sell or trade in any device via any method, you’re going to need to clear all your data from it. Click here for helpful tips on when you should wipe, shred, delete or erase files from your gadgets.

3. Use it as a security camera

Did you know that you can use your old iPhone’s camera as a mini surveillance system? Maybe you want to watch a specific drawer, medicine cabinet, jewelry box, your cubicle at work, the door to your room if you have roommates, or what’s happening in your hotel room while you’re out.There are a number of apps available that do just this. Presence is one popular option, but you can also use apps like Manything and Alfred.Most of these apps offer live video streaming and even motion-detection alerts. Keep an eye on your front door, use it as a nanny cam, or check in on your pets when you’re traveling. The possibilities are endless.

4. Repurpose it as a universal remote control

If you keep losing your remotes, you can make your life easier by using your old iPhone as a universal remote for your streaming devices. And it’s not just for the Apple TV. You can download apps for your Smart TV, Roku, Amazon Fire or Google Chrome gadgets and control them all in one convenient place.Just have your iPhone next to your couch or bed (a suitable stand is a must-have) and you won’t be left rummaging for your remotes ever again.If you want to control other non-smart TVs and other home theater equipment, check out the Pronto Smart Universal Remote Control. This gadget works in combination with the Peel Smart Remote app and it turns your iPhone into a universal remote control that can handle almost any gadget with traditional infrared remote controls.Even better, together with your streaming gadget apps, you can download all your smart appliance apps on your old iPhone and turn it into a central controller for your smart bulbs, smart thermostats, water heaters, etc.

5. Turn it into a bedside companion

Try fancying up your nightstand by turning your old iPhone into your bedside alarm clock.You can always use the iPhone’s built-in alarm functions, but you can always get extra functions with one of the many cool alarm apps available in the App Store.And it won’t just help you rise and shine, your old iPhone can help you sleep too.  Look for white-noise generators, binaural beat apps or relaxation apps like Slumber that deliver a collection of sleep meditations and bedtime stories.

6. Keep it as your backup phone

And of course, you can always keep your old iPhone as a backup just in case something happens with your new one.If you’re storing an unused iPhone for an extended period — from a few hours to a few weeks — keep the battery charged at 50 percent before turning it off for storage. For even longer periods, turn on the phone every six months or so and plug it in to charge it back to 50 percent.