If you've recently updated to the latest iPad model, then you may be left wondering what to do with your old one.
Re-selling it is an obvious answer because tablets keep their value. But if you don’t need the money, there are some interesting ways you can repurpose an iPad.
1. Use Your iPad as a Dedicated Smart Home Hub
Your iPad touchscreen is an incredibly valuable component. The screen quality and sleek design make it perfect for displaying in your home. What better way to use it than as a dedicated smart home hub?
The Apple Home app is designed to communicate with a host of smart home devices. Think lights, doorbells, heaters, air conditioners, TVs, home stereo systems, security, and more. All of which can be controlled from a single app.
Take your old iPad and set up your smart home devices on it. Once it's ready to go, mount your iPad to a wall where you can display all your home devices in one location. It's easy to access, perfect for on-the-go changes, and allows everyone in the home quick access.
2. Use Your iPad as a Second Monitor
There is nothing more valuable than extra screen space. We know this because we pay a lot of money to increase our laptops, computers, and tablets to the next available display size. That's why you should repurpose your iPad as a second monitor.
There are a couple of ways to do this. If you have a Mac laptop or desktop computer, you can use a native Mac application called Sidecar to help you use your iPad as a second display.
On the other hand, if your computer has a Windows operating system, then Luna Display has designed a tiny USB-C dongle that will turn an iPad or Mac into a wireless second display. It also works with macOS.
3. Use Your iPad as a Remote Control
Did you know you can use your tablet as a remote?
There are a lot of different ways you can use your iPad as a remote. If you use iTunes or have an Apple TV, you can use the built-in iTunes Remote app. If that’s not an option, you can try one of our picks for the best TV remote apps.
This is a great solution if you've lost your remote, or want to replace your remote with a device that is surely big enough not to get lost in the first place!
4. Give It to the Kids
The iPad can be a great learning tool or toy for children to use. They love the fact that they can interact directly with the device by touching it and there’s no shortage of entertaining games or educational apps. Fragility is the only reason why kids don’t end up with iPads more often.
Offering your child an old iPad will not only keep them entertained, but be a good lesson to teach them responsibility. If it breaks, it’s gone, so they must take care of it for themselves.
Just make sure your child is old enough to comprehend this responsibility, otherwise you’re going to end up with a lot of tears, and the iPad is not as absorbent as some other products with a similar name.
5. Make It a Digital Photo or Video Frame
Here’s an easy one. The iPad can display video clips and show photos in a slideshow. And it’s also thin and light. Therefore using it as a digital photo frame is a no-brainer.
All you need to do is prop it up or hang it on display. To achieve this, you can either use an iPad stand or an adhesive mount, such as Velcro. You need less Velcro than you’d think to attach an iPad to a wall. If this solution seems a bit low-rent for your tastes, there are products made specifically to hang the iPad on a wall, such the Studio Proper Wall Mount.
After that, you need to figure out how to power it. If the tablet is left near a computer, it’s not hard to run the standard adapter from a rear USB port to the tablet. Longer distances can be covered with the use of a USB extension cord. If no PC is available, you’ll have to instead use a USB wall charger, which is inexpensive to purchase.
6. Use It as a Recipe Book or Mechanic’s Assistant
Versatility and portability are strengths of the iPad, but its fragility limits its use in certain situations. If you have an older tablet that is falling out of use, however, it’s easier to accept it in the kitchen or the garage.
You can improve your old iPad’s chances of survival by purchasing a rugged case, such as a Griffin Survivor or Gumdrop Tech Military Edition. These cases provide padding and, in the case of the Griffin Survivor, a built-in stand. Most users will find them too bulky for everyday use, but they shine in particularly tough environments.
Purchasing an anti-glare screen protector is also a good idea. This additional accessory will reduce the chance of minor damage and improve the visibility of the display.
7. Mount It in Your Car
Putting an iPad in your car may seem a bit absurd, but it’s actually not a bad idea, especially when connecting to your personal hotspot. But even if you don't have a Wi-Fi connection, you can still load the iPad’s memory with plenty of videos and some useful apps that have an offline mode.
Mounting the iPad in the front can be accomplished with ease thanks to products like those from RAM Mounts, which can hold an iPad firmly in place via various attachment mechanisms. Mounting the iPad in the back seats will create a simple in-car entertainment system and it's even easier thanks to a variety of products that can attach to a front seat head-rest.
Whatever method you choose, be wary of local regulations. Distracted driving laws are increasingly common and harsh.
Upcycle Your iPad
What can you do with your old iPad besides selling it? The answer is to upcycle it.
Instead of putting your old iPad in a drawer, give it a new job. Use it as a dedicated recipe book, or as a DIY car entertainment system. Or even pass it on to your children to use as an educational tool.
Just because you have a better model now, doesn't mean you have to make your old iPad obsolete.
