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9 cool things to do with old iPhones

9 cool things to do with old iPhones

These DIY projects get creative with vintage hardware.

Lewis Wallace
January 13, 2024

If you’ve got an old iPhone stuffed in a drawer somewhere, this weekend’s new how-to might inspire you. It showcases nine ways you can utilize an old iPhone to do something useful or fun.

Some ideas, like using it as a secondary camera for certain scenarios, probably seem fairly obvious. But others, like using it to power a DIY smart speaker, might stretch your imagination.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

If you don’t know how to share passwords with family members on your iPhone, you definitely need this how-to. It will simplify your life.
We finally have a release date (and a fun new throwback ad) for the Vision Pro headset. Preorders start next week!
Want to use AirPods Pro to enjoy in-flight entertainment? This Bluetooth dongle will come in handy.
The annual CES tech conference served up some interesting gear, including the Rabbit R1, an AI gadget that stole the show. These products caught our eye.
Don’t miss the recaps for this week’s season finales of For All Mankind and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

How-tos

9 cool things you can do with an old iPhone

There are a lot of things you can do with an old iPhone; it might be worth keeping them around rather than trading them in.

Share passwords with your family on iPhone

You can share passwords on iPhone automatically with your entire family, so you don’t have to let everyone know when a password is changed.

How to play Apple’s daily crosswords on iPad and iPhone

Apple offers daily crossword puzzles that you can play on your iPhone inside the News app. This new feature of iOS 17 is available to anyone with an Apple News+ subscription or the Apple One Premier bundle.

How to use long-overdue improvements to the Files app in iPadOS 17

Working with drives on iPad just became a lot easier.

News

Apple Vision Pro launches February 2, preorders start January 19

Apple's Vision Pro launch date is official. Preorders for the mixed-reality headset begin Jan. 19, with U.S. retail availability on Feb. 2.

Plus, more on Vision Pro:

Ask AI-powered Rabbit R1 for anything (without touching an app)

It won't replace your iPhone (yet), but the Rabbit RI looks intriguing as an app controller for those who like talking to their devices.

Plus, more standout new gear from CES:

iPhone survives 16,000-foot fall from Alaska Airlines jet

The iPhone, found beside a road in Oregon, dropped from the sky after part of a plane’s fuselage detached.

Terrible Mac sales in 2023 help explain why Apple rushed out M3 processor

Shipments of Macs plunged in 2023. This may be why Apple launched the M3 processor just nine months after the M2 debut.

Deals

AirPods airplane adapter makes in-flight entertainment sound great

Don't resort to freebie earbuds for airplane movies. The Eve II is an affordable Bluetooth adapter that works on planes and at home.

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Take your pick of hefty discounts on AirPods models

Take $60 off AirPods Pro 2, $30 off AirPods 2, $20 off AirPods 3 and as much as $54 off AirPods Max at Amazon.

Get 20% off flexible stand that mounts MagSafe iPhone anywhere

The SwitchEasy Orbit Universal Magnetic Stand is a MagSafe mount that can go almost anywhere and let you view your iPhone at any angle.

Take 25% off fine leather cases for iPhone, AirPods, MacBooks and more

Like leather goods' timeless appeal? Now's your chance to bag classy cases and more from Mujjo for all your Apple gear.

Reviews and recommendations

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ season finale wraps up with a kaiju battle [Apple TV+ recap]

Read our review/recap of the "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" season finale to be sure you didn't miss anything, and for loads of speculation about season two.

OtterBox 'Cactus Leather' iPhone cases look good and make you feel good [Review]

Made of a plant-based alternative to traditional cow leather, OtterBox Cactus Leather iPhone cases are a great, renewable choice.

‘For All Mankind’ season 4 finale burns with new hope [Apple TV+ recap] ★★★★½

The action-packed and emotional "Perestroika" episode could be the end of the show … or a tempting intro to season 5.

Turn Apple Watch into high-end jewelry with this band

Goldenerre makes some remarkably pretty Apple Watch bands, and its Basketweave model is no exception.

Stick your iPhone to this foldable MagSafe stand [Review] ★★★★☆

The SwitchEasy Orbit Universal Magnetic Stand is an incredibly handy little iPhone stand that's sturdy and easy to use.

Setups

His sister works for Apple. Brace for jealousy.

Yeah, some people get special deals on notoriously pricey Apple hardware, and to them we say, simply, "Congrats."

Can removing a 4K external display count as an upgrade? [Setups]

The owner of this MacBook Pro workstation got rid of one of its 4K displays. But the end result was better, thanks to some added gear.