Do you have an old Android tablet gathering dust in a drawer? Wondering if you can do something really useful with it other than recycling it? Here are seven practical ways to give new life and purpose to your old Android tablet.
Turn it into a stationary desktop hub
One of the easiest ways to reuse an old Android tablet is to set it up on your desktop to constantly display information. You can turn it into a desk calendar or a digital photo frame that flips through family photos or motivational quotes.
If you work with clients in different time zones, set up a world clock so you always know what time it is on their end. You can also use the tablet as a Pomodoro timer to track work sessions and stay productive. If your tablet supports split-screen mode, this becomes even more useful: keep a timer on one half and a notes app on the other, making it easier to view your to-do list while tracking your sessions.
Use it as a portable notepad
Most Android tablets support pen input. If yours doesn’t have one, you can get an inexpensive third-party stylus for around $10 and turn your tablet into a portable notepad. You can install a dedicated drawing app like Sketchbook or Concepts, both of which are very lightweight and shouldn’t be difficult for older hardware.
This setup works great for taking quick notes during meetings, creating checklists, or just doodling. I’ve personally found doodling very therapeutic, especially when I’m stuck on a creative block. It’s also an eco-friendly option since you’re not burning sticky notes and notepads.
Use it as a portable TV
Most older Android tablets are still powerful enough to run Netflix or YouTube. If your old tablet’s display quality is still good, you can use it as a dedicated media streaming device. The larger screen makes it a decent option for watching videos, especially if you’re lounging around and don’t want to drain your phone’s battery.
That said, if you’re having trouble running streaming apps, you can use a USB OTG (On-The-Go) drive to load movies and TV shows onto your device and then play them using the default media player. This approach also makes things simple and offline: no internet connection required, no accounts to manage.
Read eBooks and manga
Instead of watching movies, you can take advantage of your tablet’s larger screen to read ebooks or manga. It can replace your Kindle, especially useful if you don’t already have a Kindle! You can install Kindle, Libby or Epic! on the device and turn it into a dedicated e-reader for you or your children! Likewise, if you want to read manga or comics, you can install SHUEISHA’s Manga Plus and Manga UP!.
Alternatively, you can install offline readers like Lithium or Perfect Viewer to read locally stored ebooks and manga. As before, you can use a USB OTG drive to charge them to your tablet. If you load the ebooks and manga to your internal storage, you can read them anywhere without needing an Internet connection, which is especially convenient if your tablet is Wi-Fi only.
Emulate retro games
Even entry-level Android tablets from around 2019-2020 should have enough power to emulate classic consoles like the NES, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy. If you own legally obtained copies of these game ROMs, this can be a fun way to revisit your old favorites without any additional hardware investment.
You can install Retro Emulator, which supports thousands of retro classics, or opt for standalone emulators for specific systems. An old tablet might not handle demanding features like PS2 or GameCube emulation, but for 8-bit and 16-bit classics it should work just fine! That said, I strongly advise you to pair your tablet with a dedicated gamepad (if you have one) and not use the on-screen touch controls.
Set it up as a teleprompter
If you create video content (YouTube videos, online courses, or even business presentations), an old Android tablet makes a great teleprompter. Free apps like Simple Teleprompter Relaunched allow you to upload your script, customize the font style, and adjust the scrolling speed to create a custom teleprompter.
It may take a little practice to find your ideal scrolling speed, but once selected, it’s a solid upgrade over memorizing scripts or reading sticky notes. Additionally, if you’re using a professional teleprompter with a beam splitter mirror, the app has a mirror mode that flips the text to fit your setup.
Use it as a security camera monitor
To be clear, I’m not talking about turning your tablet into a security camera, but rather using it as a dedicated display to view feeds from security cameras you already own. Apps like AlfredCamera, IP Cam Viewer, or your manufacturer’s app let you monitor live feeds on your old tablet without taking up your main phone.
This works great if you have a baby monitor, pet camera, or doorbell camera installed and want a dedicated screen for it. Simply install the viewing app, log in, and keep the tablet in a convenient location, perhaps on your kitchen counter or nightstand. Keep it plugged in so it’s always ready and you have a simple monitoring station.
There you have it: seven ways to breathe new life and purpose into your old Android tablet. Simply choose a role, download the necessary app (or side-load it if necessary), and give this tablet the purpose it deserves.
