You probably have an old smartphone lying around somewhere that's too slow for everyday use, but the screen still works perfectly. Throwing it away would be a shame, especially since there are ingenious ways to give it a second life and turn it into a super-useful tool, whether it's to modernize your car's dashboard or to free up some workspace on your desk.
Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to built-in multimedia systems or want to boost your productivity on your computer, Android's versatility allows you to transform an older device into a dedicated display . In this article, we'll break down all the available options, from driving launchers to extended monitors for Windows and Mac, so you won't miss a thing.
Transform your old car into a multimedia center
If you drive a vehicle without a touchscreen, you probably use your phone connected via Bluetooth, but that's not enough. You can set up a system similar to Android Auto by installing apps that adapt the interface to make it safe and easy to use while driving. Ideally, you should leave your old phone mounted in an approved holder on the dashboard and power it with a 5V/2A charger, as the USB ports in older cars often lack sufficient power.
One of the best for this is Headunit Revived . This app, which you can get for free on GitHub or for a fee on Google Play, basically projects the Android Auto interface onto your phone. Just install it, grant the necessary permissions, and enter "Own Mode" to see how your phone transforms into a screen with large icons and intuitive navigation, preventing you from getting distracted by complicated menus.
If you're looking for something more focused on assistance, AutoZen is a fantastic and free option. It's not just an icon launcher; it functions as a complete driving assistant, integrating Google Maps, Waze, and Spotify into a single view. The best part is that it allows voice control , essential for staying on the wheel. Its requirements are very low (Android 7.0 and 2GB of RAM), so almost any older phone will work.
Another very effective alternative is CarWebGuru . This launcher transforms your smartphone into a highly customizable infotainment center with shortcuts to music and GPS. However, keep in mind that this app doesn't support voice commands, so it's best to configure your destination before starting the car to avoid any surprises.
Safety and legality behind the wheel
Pay attention to this, it's very important: using your phone while driving is extremely dangerous and can cost you a €200 fine and 6 points on your license, according to traffic laws. To be safe, the device must be in a holder that doesn't obstruct your view or interfere with the airbags. The golden rule is clear: any adjustments should be made with the car stopped or using the voice assistant.
Turn your mobile phone into a second monitor for your PC
If you work with many windows open, you know that an extra monitor is a godsend. You don't need to spend €200 on a new screen; you can use your Android tablet or phone as an extension of your desktop . This is ideal for keeping your Telegram chat, Spotify, or design tools there while you focus on what's important on your main screen.
- Spacedesk: It's probably the most recommended option because it's completely free and ad-free. It allows you to connect your mobile phone to your Windows PC via Wi-Fi or USB cable. To avoid everything looking tiny, I recommend increase the scaling of Windows to 125% or 150% in the screen settings.
- Duet Display: Very popular and versatile, compatible with Mac and Windows. Unlike others, it's a paid program (around €10,99) and doesn't have a trial version, so it's a leap of faith, although its stability is very high.
- Splashtop Wired XDisplay: A balanced alternative that allows 10-minute trial sessions. Requires activation. USB debugging in the mobile developer settings to work, which reduces latency to a minimum.
Create a hardware statistics monitor for your tower
For PC gaming enthusiasts, there's a really cool project: putting an old mobile phone inside the computer case to use as a temperature and performance control panel . To do this, you use AIDA64 Extreme software on your PC along with the RemotePanel app on Android.
The process involves setting up an LCD server in AIDA64 by entering the mobile device's local IP address and screen resolution. Once linked, you can design a fully customized dashboard that displays real-time CPU and GPU usage, as well as temperatures. If you have an iPhone, you can do something similar using the RemoteSensor feature and accessing the PC's IP address through the phone's browser.
Having this integrated panel is much cheaper and more efficient than buying small LCD screens for Raspberry Pi, since smartphones usually have better color quality and only need a USB cable for power, greatly simplifying the internal wiring of the tower.
In short, whether it's installing launchers like AutoZen and Headunit for your car, using Spacedesk to boost PC productivity, or setting up an AIDA64 dashboard to monitor your hardware, repurposing an old device is a smart way to save money and improve the functionality of your tech environment without generating unnecessary electronic waste.