How can I utilise my old Android device?

br3ad@infosec.pub to Android@lemdro.id – 77 points –

I have a moto g2 lying around for some years. I was wondering if there is anything I can use it for?

I don't plan on inserting a SIM card on it and the battery capacity on it must have reduced quite a lot by now.

Can you suggest some ideas which can prevent it from becoming e-waste? (If it hasn't already become e-waste)

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Here's a few! :)

  • Making it a dedicated E-reader
  • Portable entertainment device (movies/TV etc)
  • a pc stats monitor (screen for CPU temps etc)
  • emulation device
  • digital photo frame gallery
  • if you also have a really old phone laying around (talking the ones before touchscreens with the number pad) they would make a great mp3 player

It's generally recommended that you put a lighter weight OS onto the phone. Many are available depending on what you want to do and work much better on older devices than android (which updates tend to get heavy and demand more power which unfortunately slows old devices).

I'm planning to do this for a couple old devices and then repurpose them with other uses

Any particular lightweight OS recommendations? I'm thinking of doing something similar with an old tablet I have

Any recommendations for using it as a PC stats monitor? That could be an interesting one for mounting near the PC!

I think the displays may be too small for use as a photo frame or e-reader though (love the Kobo for this).

A lot of people seem to use apps, one called 'Remote System Monitor' looks good, and then connect a charging cable to the pc to keep it charged.

Personally I'd love if there is a way to do this not involving phone apps, but instead reducing the old phones capabilities to just a screen and having the pc recognise and use it as one. That could lead to some interesting possibilities.