8 things to do with your old Android tablet

If you recently upgraded to a new Android tablet, don’t throw away your old one right away. Even if the resale value isn’t high, there are many creative ways to reuse and extend its usefulness. If you’re still thinking about which new tablet to buy, check out this guide to help you make the right choice.

Convert to Android alarm clock

Keep your old tablet in your bedroom and turn it into an Android alarm clock that also shows the weather. If you don’t want to use the basic alarm clock app that came with your old device, download our alarm clock app. Customize your alarm to wake you up during the week and stay asleep on the weekend.

You can also install a weather forecast app to wake you up in case of an emergency. Such tools are especially important in areas prone to tornadoes, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events. If you can’t hear the weather siren outside, a weather app can be your lifesaver.

View an interactive calendar and to-do list

Keep an old tablet in your living room to use as a calendar or to-do list. Use Google Calendar or other task management apps to keep family members informed and on schedule.

Create a digital photo frame

Old Android tablets make great digital photo frames. View slideshows from Google Photos, Flickr, or other photo sharing services and set those photos to display around your home.

Another option is to load the photos onto an old tablet and give them as a gift to a non-tech savvy loved one. If your tablet has a front-facing camera, your old tablet can also act as a mirror.

get help in the kitchen

Attach an old tablet to your kitchen and use apps to view recipes while you cook. If you’re busy cleaning up, use your old tablet to enjoy a movie while you load the dishwasher.

You can also stream radio from apps like Pandora. The radio app also works in the background on most older tablet models, so you can look up pecan pie recipes while dancing to your favorite tunes.

control your smart home

Android has done a lot of work on home automation and now supports apps that automate lights, thermostats, and other smart devices. You can use your old Android tablet as a central hub to control your home without having to look for your phone or another device.

Use your Android tablet as a universal streaming remote

Many streaming devices come with companion apps that you can control from your mobile device. The Google Play Store also has a universal remote app for Roku, Fire TV, and other streaming devices. Reuse your tablet as a universal remote control that won’t get lost in the couch cushions.

App-based tablet remotes allow you to use one remote control for your streaming devices. The controls are more flexible and offer more options than traditional remote controls. For example, most of these remotes work over Wi-Fi, so you can control your media from any room.

read e-books

Older Android tablets work as great e-readers and don’t require a lot of setup to switch. Most e-readers are based on Android, and the e-reader apps that power them are available for free from the Play Store. Download your favorite e-reader, get a free book and get started.

Please donate or recycle

You don’t necessarily have to hold your tablet in order to do something useful with it. Charities like Cell Phones For Soldiers and Rainforest Connection can do some good while getting your tablet working again.

Tips for installing Android tablets

If you want to use your tablet as a clock or digital photo frame, get a stand for your tablet or mount it on the wall. If you have a cradle for your tablet, place your tablet in the cradle and place it on a shelf. For wall hanging, use the same mounting hardware used to display collection plates. No matter where you place your device, make sure you have space to connect it to a charger.