When it comes to deciding what to do with an old Apple Watch, the possibilities extend far beyond just selling it. While selling might be the first thought, the resale value may not always be significant. Instead, consider these innovative and practical ideas to give your old Apple Watch a new lease on life.
Breathing New Life into Your Old Apple Watch
If you’ve recently upgraded your Apple Watch, you might wonder what to do with your old one. Don’t let it gather dust in a drawer! With a bit of creativity and know-how, your old Apple Watch can find a new purpose and continue to be a useful tool in your daily life.
Dedicated Music Player
Transform your old Apple Watch into a dedicated music player for workouts or runs. Load it up with your favorite playlists or audiobooks and leave your phone at home. It’s a great way to lighten your load while still enjoying your favorite tunes.
Bedside Alarm Clock
Set up your old Apple Watch as a bedside alarm clock with customized wake-up sounds and a charging stand. It’s a stylish and functional addition to your nightstand, plus you can use the watch’s other features like sleep tracking and “Do Not Disturb” mode.
Smart Home Remote Control
Your old Apple Watch can act as a handy remote control for your smart home devices. Use it to control lights, thermostats, locks, and more, all from your wrist.
Child’s First Smartwatch
If you have children, your old Apple Watch could be their first smartwatch. It’s a safe and fun way for kids to learn about technology while staying connected to you through calls and messages.
Car Dashboard Display
With a car mount and the right apps, your old Apple Watch can become a secondary display in your car, providing navigation, music controls, and hands-free calling.
Pet Tracker
Attach your old Apple Watch to your pet’s collar with a secure band to track their location and activity levels. This can be particularly useful for pets who tend to wander off.
Table of Additional Uses
| Use | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Dedicated GPS | Great for hiking, biking, and running without draining your phone’s battery. |
| Activity Tracker | Monitor steps, calories burned, and exercise goals without your phone. |
| Kitchen Timer | Set timers while cooking without getting your phone messy. |
| Travel Clock | Keep track of multiple time zones and set alarms for your next trip. |
| Photo Remote | Control your iPhone’s camera remotely for group photos or selfies. |
With a little imagination and resourcefulness, you can repurpose your old Apple Watch in many ways. It’s a fantastic way to reduce waste, save money, and continue to benefit from this versatile device.
Repurposing an Old Apple Watch
Here are some creative ways to repurpose an old Apple Watch:
| Repurposed Use | Description |
|---|---|
| Fitness Tracker | Track your steps, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. Use the built-in Workout app or a third-party app like Strava or Nike Run Club. <br>Note: Some features may require an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. |
| Kid’s Watch | Give your old Apple Watch to your child as a fun and safe way to stay connected. Use the built-in Family Setup feature to manage their contacts, apps, and communication settings. |
| Music Player | Store music directly on the watch and listen to it without your iPhone. Use streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music. |
| Nightstand Clock | Use the built-in Clock app or a third-party app like Nightstand Central. |
| Remote Control | Use the built-in Now Playing app or a third-party app like Remote. |
| Camera Viewfinder | Use the built-in Camera app. |
| Presentation Clicker | Use a third-party app like Remote. |
| Second Time Zone Watch | Set your old Apple Watch to a different time zone. |
| Timer | Use the built-in Timer app. |
| Stopwatch | Use the built-in Stopwatch app. |
| Calculator | Use the built-in Calculator app. |
| World Clock | See the time in different cities around the world. |
| Flashlight | Use the built-in Flashlight app. |
| Dictation Tool | Dictate text messages, emails, and notes. |
| Find My Device | Find your lost iPhone or iPad. |
| Medical Alert Watch | Use a third-party app like Medical ID to store your medical information and emergency contacts. |
| Sell or Donate | Sell or donate your old Apple Watch. |
These are just a few ideas for repurposing your old Apple Watch. Get creative and find a way to use your old Apple Watch that works for you.
A Deeper Look At Some Ideas
Revive It as a Dedicated Sleep Tracker
A fantastic way to utilize your old Apple Watch is by transforming it into a dedicated sleep tracker. With watchOS 7, Apple introduced sleep tracking as an official feature of its smartwatch platform. This means your older model can serve as a specialized tool for monitoring your sleep patterns. By doing so, you not only get valuable insights into your sleep quality but also keep your new watch free for daytime use.
Engage in Creative Recycling and Upcycling
- Fitness Focused: A Secondary Exercise Tracker Use your old Apple Watch as a dedicated device for tracking workouts and physical activities. This can be particularly useful if you engage in activities that might put your new watch at risk, like rough outdoor sports or swimming.
- Tech-Savvy Kitchen Helper In the kitchen, your old Apple Watch can shine as a high-tech timer. Imagine using it to time different stages of your cooking process, from boiling eggs to baking cinnamon rolls. Its convenience and ease of use can make kitchen tasks more manageable and fun.
- Bicycle Riding Companion For cyclists, the Apple Watch can be repurposed as a biking accessory. Attach it to your bicycle’s handlebars to utilize its GPS features for navigation or to play music, enhancing your riding experience.
Trade-In or Recycling Options
Apple’s Trade-In program presents an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your old Apple Watch. You can either get value for it, which can be used towards purchasing a new device, or if it’s not eligible for credit, Apple will recycle it for you at no cost. This not only benefits you but also contributes positively to environmental sustainability.
Preparing Your Old Apple Watch for Its New Role
Before repurposing, trading, or recycling your old Apple Watch, it’s crucial to prepare it properly. This involves backing up data, unpairing it from your iPhone, and resetting it to its factory settings. This step ensures that your personal data is secure and that the watch is ready for its new function or owner.
Innovative and Fun Uses
- Child’s Activity Tracker Convert your old Apple Watch into a fun and practical device for your child. It can be used to track their physical activities or even as a learning tool for time management.
- Remote Control for Smart Home Devices Utilize your old Apple Watch as a remote control for various smart home devices. This can include controlling lights, thermostats, or even playing music through smart speakers.
- Artistic Display Get creative and use your old Apple Watch as a digital frame. Display photos, digital art, or even use it as a unique timepiece with artistic watch faces.
Conclusion and FAQs
- Can I use my old Apple Watch as a fitness tracker for specific activities? Yes, it can be an excellent secondary device for tracking workouts or risky outdoor activities.
- Is it possible to trade in my old Apple Watch? Absolutely, Apple’s Trade-In program allows you to either get a value for it or have it recycled if it’s not eligible for credit.
- How can I prepare my Apple Watch for recycling or a new purpose? Backup your data, unpair it from your iPhone, and reset it to factory settings to secure your personal information.
- Can the old Apple Watch be used as a kitchen timer? Yes, it’s a handy tool for timing different cooking tasks.
- Is it feasible to attach the old Apple Watch to a bicycle? Definitely, it can serve as a GPS navigator or music player on bike rides.
- How does the sleep tracking feature work on an older Apple Watch? With watchOS 7, your old Apple Watch can effectively track and analyze your sleep patterns.
- Can children use an old Apple Watch? Yes, it can be a fun activity tracker or a learning tool for them.
- Can I control smart home devices with my old Apple Watch? Absolutely, it can act as a remote control for various smart home appliances.
- What creative uses can an old Apple Watch have? It can be used as a digital frame for photos or artwork, or even as an artistic timepiece.
- Is resetting my old Apple Watch necessary before repurposing it? Yes, to protect your data and ensure it functions correctly in its new role.
