5 cool things to do with an old iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch

The new iPhone or iPad is bought and set up. But what to do with the old iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? Older devices in particular hardly bring any money on the used market and it is often too good to throw them away. Luckily, there are some cool ways to give old iOS devices a second life.


Apple takes care of its hardware, you have to give the manufacturer credit for that, despite the recently even more exorbitant pricing. Even old devices will continue to receive updates for many years: The iPad Air 2, which was first released at the end of 2014, could look forward to updates until 2022 - only with iPadOS 16 did it fly out of the update cycle.


The situation is similar for many older iPhones: Even the first-generation iPhone SE, which is now outdated in every respect, or its technical twin, the iPhone 6S, was able to look forward to updates for around seven years from the first day of sale. But the updated king is the first iPad Pro from 2015, which can still look forward to the iPadOS 16 update - and thus has a full eight years under its belt until it (probably) will not receive a new iPadOS in the coming year.


Current best price: iPad Pro 11 inch (2022) 128 GB Space Gray


There are three reasons for this: Apple devices are very powerful, Apple relies on long-term software updates - and last but not least, some formerly expensive devices will continue to be sold as entry-level versions for many years to come. Basically, this only has advantages for the user, but at some point the support period of each device comes to an end.


If Apple believes that an iPad or iPhone is no longer powerful enough, features are removed or it is removed from the list of supported devices altogether. And it is precisely at this point that many users ask themselves what they should do with such a device: Nobody buys them at a reasonable price anymore, but it's actually a shame to throw them away. So what to do with such vintage hardware that actually still works wonderfully?


The good news: the recycling center can wait

First of all, good news: just because an iDevice no longer receives updates doesn't mean it's obsolete. Unlike Macs, the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch cannot simply continue to be operated with an alternative operating system such as Linux. In return, however, they will still receive important security updates years later, so they can still be used as a "surfboard" without hesitation, at least initially. On top of that, every iOS and iPadOS device can still be connected to the Mac Finder or iTunes for Windows even after decades (!).


Even the first iPod from 2001 is still supported in this way: If a suitable USB Firewire cable is found, it can be connected to a current Mac in no time at all and can be used. This way is suitable for playing music, for example Even very old iPhones, iPads, or iPods can be used as an MP3 jukebox forever (or until Apple decides to change this policy). This is practical in that many stereo systems, car radios, and dedicated accessories from back then still supported the classic 40-pin connector.


Further use: The iOS version decides

Basically, it doesn't matter whether your old device is an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch: all three device classes have similar hardware and software, with a few minor differences. The iOS or iPadOS version decides more than the device class what the old devices are still suitable for, which is why the first look should be at the installed iOS version.


Ancient iPhones and iPads or the iPod Touches of the first generations are certainly of little use nowadays other than to play music: There are no longer any apps suitable for the old system in the normal way, the operating system itself is hopelessly outdated and it is not uncommon for it to succeed the installed Safari browser is no longer even able to open up-to-date websites.


A special feature of iPhones with a 3G network, which affects all devices up to the iPhone 5 (2012), is that the 3G network in Germany was switched off in 2021. To make matters worse, devices that do not have at least iOS 10.3.3 installed do not support activation via WLAN - instead, there is an annoying SIM card requirement. This means: If you own an iPhone or iPad from generation one to 4S, you should no longer reset it, otherwise it would be very difficult to activate it.


This is partly the case with fourth-generation iPads and fifth-generation iPhones. Fortunately, the necessary update can be imported via iTunes/Finder, even if the devices are not activated, using the "Restore" button on the computer. If there is no longer suitable firmware available from Apple, the curated firmware collection on the ipsw. me website will help.


Jailbreak can be useful for old devices

A jailbreak is a good idea for older devices anyway: This not only allows the installation of third-party software but also the import of older app versions for the old iOS version that are no longer available in the App Store via numerous app catalogs available online. System.


Depending on the device and iOS version, a jailbreak is now relatively easy to accomplish thanks to sideloading - for example with AltStore or Sideloadly - or using classic jailbreak tools such as unc0ver on Mac and PC: The website Pangu8, which itself previously provided a jailbreak tool, collects methods for many iOS versions. Apploaders that can be installed directly from the network via sideloading, such as fits or PandaHelper, allow a jailbreak to be installed directly on the device and without a connection to a Mac or PC.


Unfortunately, jailbreaks for older iOS versions are not always easy to track down - here often only a Google search or the use of the Windows tool 3UTools helps, which combines several jailbreak methods under one interface.


No security issues

Since the old device is usually of little value and of course there is no warranty or guarantee, let alone a meaningful everyday use, you can experiment here as you please: All jailbreak methods are well documented and easy to implement for halfway technically experienced users - and in any case a good alternative to the recycling collection point.


Caution: When sideloading or using jailbreak tools, the Apple ID may be requested for technical reasons - it makes sense to create an "empty" Apple ID for this purpose to be on the safe side.


Continue using your old iPhone or iPad

But no matter whether with or without jailbreak: Old iPhones and iPads do not have to be on the siding for a long time. Here are some ways to keep using them and extend product life far beyond Apple's plans:


1. Continue using your old iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch as a jukebox

The classic among the re-use options for old iOS devices (and iPods) with a 40-pin dock connector is of course the use as music storage and digital jukebox, for example in the party room or children's room: Useful older compact and stereo systems or speakers with dock Connections such as Apple's iPod Hifi, the Yamaha TSX series, the Bose SoundDock, as well as the universal dock with a jack plug are available on the second-hand market for little money. Of course, the latter also allows operation on modern stereo systems. There are now a number of comparable stereo systems for older iPhones and iPads with a Lightning connector.


Alternatively, old iPhones, iPads, and iPods can also be connected directly to the stereo system via a jack plug or Bluetooth. And if you still own an Airport Express, you can of course use it for airplay streaming - but only if it is at least second generation with WPA encryption in the WLAN!

If iOS 5 or higher is installed, there is of course also the option of conveniently synchronizing the iDevice with iTunes via WLAN and thus saving yourself the hassle of changing plugs.


Unfortunately, streaming via Spotify and Co. is not necessarily possible: the App Store automatically recognizes when an older iOS is used and in such cases simply offers an older version of the app, if available. Of course, it must be checked on a case-by-case basis whether this works. After all, Apple already allows the use of Apple Music with iOS 8 and newer, which means that devices down to the iPhone 4S (2011) are suitable for use. If the browser of the iDevice still manages to open the website of the streaming service, you can also stream via the browser without an app.


2. Use old iPhone or iPad in the car

If you have a car radio with a USB, AUX or even dock connection, you can conveniently install old iPhones, iPads and iPods in the car and use them there as a navigation device and, of course, as a jukebox. If you have CarPlay in your car, you can also use older iPhones here: CarPlay including navigation has been possible since iOS 9 (and thus from the iPhone 4S). The iPhone gets the map material from the network, so it is up-to-date. The prerequisite, however, is that it can be connected to the mobile network: A multi-SIM or multi-card mobile phone tariff is ideal here.

Anyone who owns an older iPhone or iPad or a car radio without car play will find either a USB connection or a jack plug or both in the car at the factory: In this case, cables for the power supply and audio output must be pulled, an old iPhone connected to the mobile network or However, iPad can still provide wonderful services here. A car mount, such as that offered by amount, is recommended for secure installation. And another tip: An old iPad can of course also provide wonderful services as an onboard entertainment system for the fussy offspring in the back seat: Simply transfer a few videos to the device with iTunes/Music.


3. Use iPod Touch, iPad or iPhone as a media player or TV

Speaking of media players: Just like in the car or on the stereo system, an old iPhone, iPad or an old iPod Touch can of course also be used as a media player on the television. All you need is the Universal Dock (on very old devices with a dock connector) or an HDMI adapter like Apple's Lightning Digital AV Adapter. You can then connect the iDevice to the TV to play movies, music videos or pictures that are on the device directly on the TV.


Thanks to apps such as VLC, an iPhone or iPad connected in this way also allows the convenient streaming of content that is on the web or on a NAS, for example. If your old iPhone or iPad has a jailbreak, Kodi is also a good choice: The media player turns the old device (from iOS 6) into a fully-fledged media center including Airplay reception. Of course, like current iPhones and iPads, newer devices (iPhone 5S and higher, iPad Mini 2 and higher) can simply use AirPlay 2 to bring pictures and sound to the television.


An Apple TV, Fire TV stick, or a media center computer is probably the more convenient solution here. But especially for users who already have the right adapter and just want to stream a few videos from the computer to the TV, this is a very practical solution for continuing to use the old iDevice, especially on a mobile device or on an older TV.

4. Old iPad as kids' media player and game console

Parents with children are reluctant to hand out expensive current iPhones and iPads for cartoons and video games: falls or scratches can easily happen and that is extremely annoying. If you want liquidators near me to offer your children the opportunity to play an animated film or music here and there, you can use your old iPad with a clear conscience: Even very old devices are still recognized by iTunes, Finder, and the Music app, which is why playing children's songs and films is not an option poses no problem.


Depending on the iOS version, you can either enable Restrictions (Settings > Restrictions) or, starting with iOS/iPadOS 12, enable Screen Time: There are powerful parental controls here that restrict consumption and access to apps. In this way, the iPad can be set up specifically for use in the children's room. If you want to provide additional protection for the old device, you should also put on a well-padded silicone case, which is available for little money from the usual online retailers to match the iPad model.

5. iPad as a surf kiosk

Do you have a waiting room in your office or practice, or do you simply want to entertain your guests while you are in the kitchen? Then use an old iPad as a simple surfing terminal for your guests. The kiosk mode of iOS/iPad, which you can activate in the settings in the accessibility under "Guided Access", helps with this. After activation, start an app - such as Safari - and then triple-click the home button or the power button on iPads without a home button. Guided access is then started: Users can only use this one app and, for example, read something (books), surf the web (Safari) or tune in to music (Apple Music).