Technology

The best ways to give your old Android a second life

Published

9 months ago

April 6, 2025

Press Room

The best ways to give your old Android a second life

With mobile technology evolving rapidly, it’s common for older devices to become outdated.

But here’s the thing. Those neglected Android devices are actually full of untapped potential.

With the right approach, you can repurpose them and unlock their hidden value. Here are seven creative ways to put your old Android to good use.

If you have an iPhone, here are some great ways to repurpose it for good use.

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An Android phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1. Separate work and personal phone

With more and more companies letting us use our own phones for work, it’s getting harder to keep our work and personal lives separate. This is where having a dedicated device for each role can help. Think about setting up your old phone as your work device or personal phone and using your current phone for the opposite. That way, you’ll have two devices for two separate parts of your life without the headache of constantly switching between profiles or worrying about mixing business with pleasure.

Image of an older Android phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR ANDROIDS – CYBERGUY PICKS 2025

2. Digital photo frame

Who doesn’t love a good photo flashback? Grab a cheap stand, plug in your old Android phone and you’ve got yourself a digital photo frame. If you use Google Photos, open the app, pick a photo (or album), hit the three-dot menu in the top-right and choose “Slideshow.”

Your phone will automatically cycle through your pictures and bring back some good memories while you work or relax. Got a Pixel phone? Pop it on a Google Pixel Stand, and you’ll have a constantly updated photo slideshow of your best moments, all linked to your Google Photos albums.

HOW TO DIGITIZE OLD PHOTOS AND SLIDES

3. Desk calendar

Your old phone can be repurposed as your personal calendar. Stick it on your desk and use Google Calendar for all your scheduling needs or grab the free DigiCal app for a more customizable experience. With this setup, you’ve got a dedicated calendar that is always within arm’s reach, helping you stay on top of things and organized all day long.

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Desk calendar using an Android phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

4. Security camera

You don’t need to buy a fancy security camera when your old Android phone can do the job. Just download an app like the AlfredCamera security app, and you’ve got yourself a DIY security cam. AlfredCamera is recognized as the world’s most popular and top-rated security camera app for Android phones with over 70 million families using it to convert their old phones into home security cameras. The app offers features like live cam streaming, instant intruder alerts and two-way audio communication. So, it’s a great way to keep an eye on your space without spending any extra cash.

But if you’re looking for something a bit more advanced or want a fully integrated system with professional monitoring, it’s worth exploring dedicated home security solutions. Here are some of the best home security systems that offer greater peace of mind and robust protection for your home.

5. Videoconferencing hub

Turn your old phone into a permanent videoconferencing station. Set it up with your go-to video chat app, like Zoom or Google Meet, and place it on your desk or conference table. In no time, you’ve got a dedicated spot for video calls. If you have more old phones around, you could even set up multiple video conference hubs around your home or office. This can be a game changer for easy virtual meetings.

TOP ANDROID PHONES OF 2025

6. Dedicated music player

Having a device just for music or podcasts might seem old school, but it’s super handy. Use your old Android phone to handle all your audio needs, so you don’t have to worry about draining the battery on your current phone. You can also save your main phone from constant notifications while listening to music or podcasts. It’s a win-win.

An Android being used as a dedicated music player (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

BEST ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR ANDROID

7. Wireless trackpad

Your old Android phone can also double as a wireless trackpad for your computer. All you need is an app like Unified Remote, and, in a few minutes, you’ll be controlling your computer from your phone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The free version lets you control the mouse and keyboard, plus basic media playback. Upgrade to the paid version for more features like remote controls for presentations. It’s a cool little hack to make your old phone even more useful.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Don’t let your old Android sit forgotten in a drawer. There are tons of creative ways to give it a new life. From turning it into a dedicated work phone to repurposing it as a security camera, the possibilities are endless.

What other devices would you like to repurpose? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

TikTok ban: all the news on the app’s shutdown and return in the US

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

TikTok ban: all the news on the app’s shutdown and return in the US

After briefly going dark in the US to comply with the divest-or-ban law targeting ByteDance that went into effect on January 19th, TikTok quickly came back online. It eventually reappeared in the App Store and Google Play as negotiations between the US and China continued, and Donald Trump continued to sign extensions directing officials not to apply the law’s penalties.

Finally, in mid-December, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees that the agreements to create TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which includes Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX as part owners, have been signed, and the deal is expected to close on January 22nd, 2026. His letter said that for users in the US, the new joint venture will oversee data protection, the security of a newly-retrained algorithm, content moderation, and the deployment of the US app and platform.

Read on for all the latest news on the TikTok ban law in the US.

Technology

Secret phrases to get you past AI bot customer service

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Secret phrases to get you past AI bot customer service

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You’re gonna love me for this.

Say you’re calling customer service because you need help. Maybe your bill is wrong, your service is down or you want a refund. Instead of a person, a cheerful AI voice answers and drops you into an endless loop of menus and misunderstood prompts. Now what?

That’s not an accident. Many companies use what insiders call “frustration AI.” The system is specifically designed to exhaust you until you hang up and walk away.

Not today. (Get more tips like this at GetKim.com)

FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SAY GO SLOW ON AI DEVELOPMENT — BUT DON’T KNOW WHO SHOULD STEER

Here are a few ways to bypass “frustration” AI bots. (Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Use the magic words

You want a human. For starters, don’t explain your issue. That’s the trap. You need words the AI has been programmed to treat differently.

Nuclear phrases: When the AI bot asks why you’re calling, say, “I need to cancel my service” or “I am returning a call.” The word cancel sets off alarms and often sends you straight to the customer retention team. Saying you’re returning a call signals an existing issue the bot cannot track. I used that last weekend when my internet went down, and, bam, I had a human.

Power words: When the system starts listing options, clearly say one word: “Supervisor.” If that doesn’t work, say, “I need to file a formal complaint.” Most systems are not programmed to deal with complaints or supervisors. They escalate fast.

Technical bypass: Asked to enter your account number? Press the pound key (#) instead of numbers. Many older systems treat unexpected input as an error and default to a human.

OPENAI ANNOUNCES UPGRADES FOR CHATGPT IMAGES WITH ‘4X FASTER GENERATION SPEED’

“Supervisor” is one magic word that can get you a human on the other end of the line. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

Go above the bots

If direct commands fail with AI, be a confused human.

The Frustration Act: When the AI bot asks a question, pause. Wait 10 seconds before answering. These systems are built for fast, clean responses. Long pauses often break the flow and send your call to a human.

The Unintelligible Bypass: Stuck in a loop? Act like your phone connection is terrible. Say garbled words or nonsense. After the system says, “I’m having trouble understanding you” three times, many bots automatically transfer you to a live agent.

The Language Barrier Trick: If the company offers multiple languages, choose one that’s not your primary language or does not match your accent. The AI often gives up quickly and routes you to a human trained to handle language issues.

Use these tricks when you need help. You are calling for service, not an AI bot.

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Long pauses and garbled language can also get you referred to a human. (iStock)

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Technology

The latest iPad Air is $400 for the first time and arrives by Christmas

Published

17 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

The latest iPad Air is 0 for the first time and arrives by Christmas

If you have $400 and want an iPad, your options are usually kind of limited to either just the base iPad, or better yet, the latest iPad Mini — if it happens to be on sale when you’re shopping (it is now, but that’s not always the case). But right now, you should consider getting the 128GB version of Apple’s 11-inch iPad Air with the capable M3 processor. At Target, multiple colors of this model are $399.99, beating the previous low of $449.99 we’ve seen during large-scale deal events. Currently, no other retailer is matching this price. This sale ends Saturday night.

$400 is a sweet price for this model, as it debuted in early 2025 for $600. In terms of how it stacks up to other iPad models, Verge editor-at-large David Pierce said in his impressions that the M3 Air is “exactly what you think it is. Which is fine.” I know, that sounds like a back-handed compliment, but it’s been a while since iPads peaked in terms of utility, design, and fast performance. This one carries the torch in Apple’s tablet dominance, and its M3 processor means it’ll be a fantastic tablet for longer than any other iPad at the $400 price point. Read our in-depth impressions.