Death, taxes, and a constant stream of shiny new Apple devices competing for your money are ahead of us. We upgrade even when our old devices work perfectly fine. So the question arises: what to do with our old devices?
Your old device contains a lot of personal information, so make sure you wipe it completely before you sell it or trade it in for a discount. Tap or click here for the important steps you need to take to completely remove all personal data from your old device.
But there are plenty of other ways to upcycle an Apple tablet or smartphone and keep using it every day. While you might not need all the apps, the sleek screen and slim design are useful for a variety of tasks.
We’re focusing on older iPads here, but keep in mind that older iPhones can handle many of the same tasks.
1. Use a dashcam
With the right brace or holder, you can fit an old iPad or iPhone in your car, which can act as a music and entertainment hub, and if positioned properly, you can use the device as a dash cam.
Dash cam apps constantly record what’s happening outside your car while you’re driving, and this evidence can be crucial in the event of an accident. Most apps are designed for mobile phones, but you can use the exact same software on a tablet.
Tap or click here for the best free dash cam apps.
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2. Make them leaders
The iPad can access almost any e-book publisher, including Kindle, Nook, and Apple’s Apple Books. The iPad’s screen is backlit, so while it’s not ideal for long periods of reading, the display is unmatched. Turning down the brightness will make it easier on the eyes.
Best of all, there are thousands of free e-books available from your local library to NASA. To download a free e-book to your tablet, phone, or computer, just tap or click here to access the link you need.
3. Use it as a security camera
With an old iPad equipped with a powerful processor and a built-in camera, you can always keep an eye on what’s going on at home. Just download the Skype app and set it to automatically accept incoming video calls so you can check in on what’s going on at home when you’re away.
If you want more advanced monitoring, there are dedicated home security apps available. A popular option is Presence, which streams live video to remote devices and sends motion detection alerts. You can use it to monitor your front door, use it as a nanny camera, or check in on your pets while you’re away.
Still getting used to the new iOS 13? You’re not alone. Tap or click here to see the 9 features you use all the time.
4. Use it to stay connected
The iPad is designed for video chat: It’s lightweight, has two cameras, and a large screen. For free calls, you can use the FaceTime app that’s already installed on your device if you’re talking to someone else who’s also an Apple user, or you can download a video conferencing app like Zoom or Skype.
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5. View your favorite memories
Apple’s Photos app can generate and play slideshows of any photo album, local or in the cloud. To turn your old iPad into a permanent decoration,[設定]Go to[おやすみモード]Tap and toggle it on. This step will silence all calls and notifications that may interrupt you while you view your photos.
Next, go back to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and set Auto-Lock to Never. This will keep your screen on all the time. Finally, go back to Settings, tap Accessibility, and toggle Guided Access on. This will allow you to lock your iPad in the Photos app.
One thing that can ruin your new slideshow is having an album full of annoying duplicates. Tap or click here for an app that can help you remove duplicates.
6. Control your TV
Your iPad can be used to easily control other devices across the Apple ecosystem. To control other Apple products like your Apple TV or iTunes library, simply download the appropriate app from the App Store (in this case, the Apple TV app or Apple’s iTunes Remote app).
Many streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu, support casting content from your iPad to a streaming device, smart TV, or computer, allowing you to start watching something on your iPad and then smoothly switch to another screen if needed.
Are you confused by the plethora of streaming options out there and wondering which one to choose? Let this handy streaming TV comparison guide make it easy to find the best one for you.
7. Organize and play your music
Your iPad becomes a total music streaming hub. Whether you store your music locally or use a streaming service, your iPad can send music to a variety of devices using Bluetooth and AirPlay. If you have a relatively new speaker system, you might be able to stream music from your iPad to them.
8. Your kitchen companion
Having an iPad in your kitchen as a dedicated recipe station can be incredibly useful. Fitness apps like MyFitnessPal and LoseIt allow users to save recipes and track the nutritional content of the food they create. There are countless apps built around the idea of discovering new recipes, like Tasty, or apps dedicated to cooking simple, healthy meals, like Fork Over Knives.
9. Give it to your kids
There are nearly 1 million games for your kids to enjoy on iPad. Tap or click here for a list of the top 10 free classic games available on iOS.
In addition to games, the iPad has a number of streaming services available that offer kid-friendly content, and Apple also has a robust set of parental controls that allow you to keep track of the time your kids spend on the device and limit the content they can access.
Tap or click here to learn how to set up parental controls.
10. Use it as a second monitor
If you have a Mac and a compatible iPad running iPad OS 13 or later, Apple’s Sidecar allows you to use your iPad as a second screen. Sidecar works wirelessly and can be accessed by clicking the AirPlay icon in your Mac’s menu bar and selecting your iPad.
This will extend your Mac’s screen to your iPad, or you can check the blue square in the AirPlay menu to mirror your Mac’s screen instead.
Have a question about your digital lifestyle? Call Kim’s national radio show or tap or click here to find it on a radio station near you. Listen to The Kim Commando Show on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. Or tap or click here to listen to Kim’s free podcast.
Learn about the latest in technology on The Kim Komando Show, the country’s biggest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and offers advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For daily tips, a free newsletter and more, visit her website, Komando.com.