12 Ways to Use Your Old iPad
If you just got a new iPad, you might be wondering what to do with your rusty old one. If you can't update to the latest version of iPadOS, it's officially obsolete!
But if you decide not to sell your old iPad for cash, there are some interesting ways to reuse that iPad that has been sitting there, collecting dust in a drawer. Let's learn dozens of tips to breathe new life into your old iPad!
Turn your old iPad into a great digital photo frame
Reflect on your most important memories
The iPad shines when it comes to showcasing your favorite family photos. With Apple's Photos app, you can quickly create beautiful animated slideshows with photos, videos, and even playlists as background music. Or, if you prefer, download a third-party app with more features.
Turn your old iPad into a kitchen tablet
What to cook tonight?
Foodies, you can turn your old iPad into a versatile kitchen tablet. Just load up your recipes and related video tutorials on the device. Or invest in Twelve South's HoverBar Duo, which has a flexible handle and sturdy, adjustable shelf clamp.
The old iPad is a great e-book reader
You don't need the latest iPad to read a good book.
Thanks to its sharp and vibrant Retina display, any old iPad can be a good e-book reader. If Apple's Books app or Amazon's Kindle software isn't supported on your iPad, alternatives like Pocket let you save web articles ad-free.
Your Old iPad Is Perfect for Kids
For kids, it's not the old tablet
Kids love iPads. If your child is too young or too active to entrust them with a new device, an old iPad can be the perfect toy to give them. Just turn on one of the many children's shows on Netflix or let your child entertain themselves on YouTube Kids.
Turn your old iPad into a second screen
Double the space without extra cost
There's nothing more valuable than extra screen space. We know this from spending a lot of money upgrading our computers and tablets to the next available screen size. That's why you should repurpose your iPad as a second screen.
Use an old iPad as a bedside alarm clock
Never miss an alarm again
A stand turns your old iPad into a fun alarm clock, displaying information like the weather and the time. Apple's native Clock app works well as an alarm clock, but dedicated apps like Alarm Clock HD also let you keep track of social networks like Twitter and Facebook.
Your old iPad can become a smart home control panel
There are a lot of cool things around the house that you can control with your tablet.
If you own essential smart home accessories, use your old iPad to control your Sonos speakers, Roku box, Plex entertainment center, Spotify app running on your Mac, etc. You can quickly create the ultimate dashboard for your smart home by mounting your iPad to the wall.
Use your old iPad as a media player
Tablets that can play music and watch videos
With the right app, your iPad can control your Hi-Fi, home theater system, and more. And why not? It's better to have a dusty old tablet as a universal remote than to have to fiddle with 7 different remotes that are nowhere to be found when you need them most.
Use iPad to protect your home
You don't necessarily need a dedicated security system.
If you have an old iPad, you can turn it into a basic security camera by downloading a dedicated camera app. These apps use the iPad's built-in camera to provide live video streaming and motion detection alerts. While this DIY approach may not offer the advanced features of a dedicated security system, it is a cost-effective way to monitor a specific room or area of your home. You will need to keep the iPad plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi to ensure continuous monitoring.
Used iPads are the perfect choice for your car
This is a cost effective way to add additional control features.
With its large touchscreen, the iPad is the perfect in-car entertainment console. If you don't have CarPlay, mount the iPad in your car and download maps for offline navigation. Mounting the device in the back seat makes for a simple in-car entertainment system. Be aware of local regulations no matter which method you choose, as distracted driving laws are becoming more common and strict.
Turn your old iPad into cash
It's always a good time to make extra money.
If you can't find a compelling use for your aging iPad, selling it is your next best option. Fortunately, Apple products retain their value very well over time, so you might be pleasantly surprised at how much you can get for an old iPad. Factors like model, age, storage capacity, and more will determine how much you should pay for your aging tablet.
Use an old iPad as a backup tablet
If you drop it, it's okay.
There's a balance between keeping your iPad safe and being able to use it whenever you want. It's a good idea to use your old iPad as a backup tablet to use whenever you want, keeping your newer devices out of harm's way. And even if you or your child damage your old iPad beyond repair, your main iPad is still safe.
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