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Have an old iPhone or iPad?

  • Writer: Jeff Bohr
    Jeff Bohr
  • Oct 26
  • 3 min read

Don’t recycle yet!


Xolodan| shutterstock
Xolodan| shutterstock

If you have an old iPhone or iPad, you can still use it for some things, even if it doesn’t run the latest software or have good battery life. Here are some ideas:


Enjoy some classic games. Mobile games have evolved a lot, but some classic games may be compatible with older devices. If you try to download an app on an old iPhone or iPad, you’ll probably see an error message saying that the app requires a newer version of iOS. But there’s a trick to getting older versions of an app for older versions of iOS.


  • Look for the Purchases tab (it may be under Your Account > Apps on iOS). Tap the cloud icon to download apps. If an older compatible version is available on the App Store, you’ll be prompted to install it. Web-based apps (like YouTube and Netflix) usually don’t work, but old games do.

  • This is great for playing games without draining your iPhone’s battery, enjoying classic titles, or turning an old iPad into a game machine for kids. For example, I’ve installed classic games like Fruit Ninja, Cut the Rope, Crossy Road, and Temple Run on my iPad 3. You need to have these purchased apps in your account to download them.

  • Turn your iPad into a digital photo book. Older iPads have great screens with color accuracy and decent brightness, so you can put your favorite photos or albums in it to show your friends and family. If your iPad isn’t too old, you can sync photos to it using iCloud. If you have a really old iPad, like a first-generation iPad, you can transfer photos to it using a Mac or PC.

  • Use them as smart home controllers. If you have smart home accessories (like HomeKit-compatible ones), your old iPhone or iPad can still control your home. Wall mounts for tablets let you attach your iPad to places like your living room, kitchen, or bedroom, so you can easily control lights, unlock doors, or adjust the temperature using the Home app. This is a great way to repurpose an old iPad.

  • However, Apple is migrating HomeKit to a new architecture, so controlling HomeKit accessories will soon require a device running iOS 16 or later. Starting in 2025, the old HomeKit architecture will no longer be supported, and you’ll need the newer Home app to control devices that use the Matter standard.


Some people miss the iPod. They want a device that stores multiple songs without the distractions of a smartphone. Luckily, an old iPhone can work as a great iPod. Depending on how old your iPhone is, you might even benefit from having the headphone jack back to get into the iPod experience.


  • You can sync music to your iPhone or iPad using a Mac or PC or log in with your Apple ID and use Apple Music on an iPhone running iOS 9 or later.

  • You can also synchronize movies and music videos to an old iPhone or iPad.


Surprisingly, you can still use Apple Books on many older iPads. Sign in with your iCloud account and your entire library of books will be there. Make sure your device runs at least iOS 9 or a newer version.


These ideas can give your aging iPhone or iPad a second life instead of letting it collect dust or being discarded. Older Apple devices can still serve a purpose, whether you want a dedicated music player, a digital photo album, or a smart home controller.


Not every old device can keep up with today’s demands, but with a little creativity, you might be surprised by how useful they still are. Consider giving them a new role before you recycle them!


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Jeff is your one-stop Mac expert, an Apple Certified Support Professional, and

40-year Mac user.  He can be reached at jeff@jeffbohr.com or 239.595.0482

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