What can I do with my old Pixel 3 phone in 2025?
I recently moved to a place and unearthed an old Pixel 3. I updated it to the last official update (October 2021) but not sure what to do with it. It’s not worth any money (or at least I don’t think so) and I have a dedicated Android gaming device (Retroid Pocket 5).
What could I do with this device?
I was trying to think of a way to use it. Was thinking of setting it up facing my backyard to film squirrels/possums/birds, but it would likely fill the storage up in less than one day of continuous recording. I’m probably getting way ahead of myself but would there be a way to use it like an IP cam or Ring doorbell that records everything not on the device?
Any other unrelated ideas are welcome too. I just don’t want to throw it away since it’s functioning quite well.
Hi, I use the Pixel 3(GrapheneOS, F-Droid app store) as my daily driver phone. Words like "unearthed" and "old" make me sad. The phone ecosystem moves too fast and creates lots of e-waste. I don't know why everyone is in a hurry to upgrade from perfectly good hardware
Here are 10 things I have done with my phone(some more often than others) that might be of interest.
Use it as a substitute gyroscope when playing emulated Nintendo Switch games on my desktop.
Use it as a TV remote (via the KDE connect app.)
Hooked to Bluetooth speaker with the entire MyNoise.net catalogue downloaded on it so I can play ambient soundscapes matching with my ambient lighting when I want to relax
Read books in bed(if you don't already have an ereader device)
Viewing exported information from my smartwatch (via the Gadgetbridge app).
Have offline OpenStreetMap data downloaded to the device for use in an emergency where mobile data is not available but power is via something like a solar charger(OSMandcan be used with or without GPS).
Use as additional slightly more durable backup location for important data. (use file encryption on top of Android's encryption if you want extra security)
Keep the phone plugged into your car and use it as a sensor array. WiGLE lets you WiFi Wardrive(create a map of what wifi networks are around you and submit them to a database). Airguard lets you find Airtags(or their equivalents) around you(There might be better options for this I have not checked).
Use a USB OTG attachment to read USB drives you are unsure are safe. While Android malware could theoretically be delivered via a USB plugged into the phone such a scenario is unlikely making a decent choice if a proper airgapped computer is not available.
Host a webserver. If you install the Termux terminal you get a command line environment where it is possible to install many of the packages you would have on a desktop Linux machine including a web server
I’m sorry to hear those words made you sad. As you can see from my post, I’m looking to find ways to use this device, not trash it!
Using it as a web server seems cool, I’ll have to try that!
Thanks for the suggestions
Its not your fault. Smartphones in general are a sore spot for me. I sort of feel like I owe something to the people who sacrificed to create the phone so the least I can do is use the device until its properly unusable. My emotional attachment to electronics borders on neurosis sometimes. I have been known to genuinely weep when they break, even if its just a cheap game controller or something.
Pixel 3s get unlimited Google Photos storage in High Quality. I have a Pixel 4 permanently living in my office that just gets photos synced to it from our other phones; it then does all the backing up to Google Photos. I have probably 75GB of photos uploaded for free.
Just a friendly note of caution--it's probably not the saftest bet to rely on Google Photos as your primary backup strategy, I would say that goes doubly so for a grandfathered "unlimited" free storage tier.
There are plenty of horror stories about people having their Google accounts deactivated, banned, or otherwise lost to them with no recourse or hope of getting it back through no obvious fault of their own (which would result in complete loss of everything stored by Google for you, including photos). There's also the possibility that Google will outright revoke the unlimited plans or impose some quality restrictions or do something else that causes loss of data. That's not to mention the privacy issues (do you trust Google not to use all of your photos as AI training data, or sell it off to other companies with even more nefarious plans for them?) If your photos are important to you and you're not already doing it, I'd highly recommend also backing them up either using a dedicated paid backup service or some local process that ensures redundancy.
Yes I personally use SyncThing to go to a NAS, but Google Photos is a nice part of a 3-2-1 backup strategy and also has all the nice features like searching, grouping, memories, etc.
Wait holdup they do? Why have I been paying for storage?! I'm going to look into this thanks
Yup, the older models were promised unlimited high quality photo storage. I have a Pixel XL that I set up to sync with my EDC Pixel 8 using an app called Resilio Sync. Auto backup is turned off on the 8 and on on the XL. The only issue with this setup is the XL stays at home, so if I take pics on the 8, they won't get uploaded until I get home and the 2 phones can talk to each other. I suppose if the XL had a data plan I could take it with me and get photos backed up to the cloud immediately, but I don't need immediately.
Ahhh yeah ours is pixel 7 so no free storage. Boo but thanks that's cool to know
A used XL/2/3 is probably < 100 so if you're paying for storage maybe it's worth it.
Oh, that’s awesome! Would be a nice way to backup my photos. Thanks for the suggestions!
I upgraded to my current phone after the battery in my old Pixel 3a ballooned. Just wanted to flag that you should keep an eye on the battery or replace it if you plan to keep using it, especially if it'll be unsupervised by a human.
They did offer battery replacements btw, at least for the 6a. My battery got nerfed hard by a software update but also, my phone hasn't exploded so that good lmao
Additional information for others:
Not all Pixel 6a devices are affected. You can check here if your Pixel 6a is affected:
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779?p=pixel6a_battery
I wasn't aware of that, and it looks like my 6a qualifies for the reimbursement, cheers! Though I am quite dubious about signing up to Payoneer.
If you do, make sure to deactivate your account afterwards-- they charge an inactivity fee...
How was the battery life before the nerf? I got a used 6a for 100€ last week and it is affected and was already reimbursed, probably via Google Play credit as the battery is still the original one.
It has 650 cycles and lasts one day if I concentrate on not using it much. I hope after getting replacement (for around 70€) it can do two or more days of light use... Or is that unreasonable?
Nah sounds about bang on from my experience
Does the battery in the 3 have the same issue as the 3a? Thanks for the warning though!
All lithium ion batteries can expand and become a fire hazard over time.
I believe they're similar but not identical batteries, but it's more a general risk with continuing to use old batteries in general. I had the same issue with my Nexus 6P, PSP, etc.
I keep all my old phones in a metal tea tin now so the damage is contained if they do decide to catch fire.
Ah, I see what you’re saying. I thought there was something specific about the Pixel 3 battery.
Random side note I was trying to remember where I saw your name and going through your history realized you're the one who I said I'd come up with a recording for and then completely forgot 😅 It's been hard with a packed house lately but I think I'd actually have time to do that in about a week if you still want those.
These are all perfect suggestions, thank you!
And no worries about the recording haha It’s just for fun, so no pressure at all!
I use mine as an mp3 player pretty much. I bought a license for Poweramp years ago and it's been my go-to music app ever since.
Genuine curiosity, why use another device for this, when (presumably) your current phone could do it?
Not OP, but I ordered a Hiby M300 for this very purpose, purely because it's a single use tool without distractions. If the Pixel3 supports SD card, all the better.
Granted, my Hubby can take a 1TB card, is smaller than a phone and has physical multimedia buttons, but it's easy to undervalue how useful a dedicated music device is for everything from battery and storage to being devoid of distractions when you're focusing on a task.
How's the battery life if I may ask?
15-20 hours of straight use they say. Not amazing considering my old Cowon Mp3 players got 70, but for Android it's ok.
Ahh didn't realize it was on top of android. Totally agreed, playing an mp3 shouldn't need more than a 6502 grumble grumble
Yeah, agreed. That said, I love using Poweramp so I'll eat the inconvenience :(
well, my daily driver for about two years has been a flip phone so...
I also have a Huawei for when I need a standard Android ecosystem, but it doesn't have an aux port and I have wired headphones.
I like dedicated devices so I can leave distractions at home. Got a pocket watch so I can leave my phone at home when I go for walks, for example.
Radios are super fun as well, especially at things like festivals.
This was something I was thinking about as well. Thanks for the reminder!
I've seen some people report using them for dash cams. They're not ideal for this purpose, given the heat they have to endure, but it's an option. Every few years I'll do an old tech cleanout and just post everything on ebay for starting bid of $1 (buyer pays shipping) and see what I get.
I bought a pre-paid SIM card and popped into an old phone. Then when places that shouldn't have my number demand I give it to them, I just give them the secondary one. Keeps them from spamming my main number.
I really like this idea, thanks!
I do the same thing with a VoIP number for <$1 a month, on a soft phone. Because Canada has no cheap monthly prepaid pay as you go plans
You could use it as a soundboard for the prank call podcast you are going to create soon.
I just keep using it as a phone and texting device.
Turns out if you don't do more than that, the security risk is basically 0.