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 the 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 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 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.
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 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.