Merry Christmas! If you are reading this, you probably just unwrapped a shiny new iPhone 17 or Pixel 10. Congratulations. But now you have a problem: The Old Phone. It has a cracked screen. The battery lasts 45 minutes. It’s worth $30 on a trade-in. So, you’re about to do what we all do: throw it in the “Junk Drawer of Shame” and forget about it for three years.
Don’t do it. That old phone is a pocket-sized computer with a camera better than most professional webcams. Here is your Christmas Day Project: Two ways to give that device a second life for $0.
Project 1: The “Free” Nest Cam (Home Security)
Why pay Amazon $99 for a Ring camera when you have a 12-megapixel camera collecting dust? Best For: Keeping an eye on the dog, watching the front porch, or a makeshift baby monitor.
The Tool: AlfredCamera (iOS & Android)
There are many apps, but AlfredCamera is the king of reliability. It turns your old phone into the “Camera” and your new phone into the “Viewer.”
Step 1: The Setup
- Download the AlfredCamera app on both phones. (Get it on Google Play or the App Store).
- Sign in with the same Google/Apple ID on both.
- On the old phone, select “Camera” mode. On your new phone, select “Viewer.”
Step 2: The Mounting
- Get a cheap tripod, a suction cup car mount, or honestly—just lean it against a book.
- Crucial Step: Plug it into a charger. Video drains battery fast.
- Point it at the door (or the crib).
Step 3: The “Pro” Settings (For Free)
- Enable “Motion Detection.” Alfred will send a push notification to your new phone whenever it sees movement.
- Use “Two-Way Talk.” You can yell “Get off the couch!” to your dog from Christmas dinner at Grandma’s house.
- Turn on “Low-Light Filter” for night vision.
The Result: A Wi-Fi security camera with cloud storage, motion alerts, and two-way audio. Cost: $0.
Project 2: The “Stream Deck” (Productivity)
If you are a gamer, streamer, or just a productivity nerd, you know what an Elgato Stream Deck is. It’s that cool keypad with LCD buttons to launch apps or mute your mic. It also costs $150. Your old Android can do the exact same thing.
The Tool: Touch Portal (or Elgato Mobile)
Touch Portal is the best free alternative. It connects your phone to your PC via Wi-Fi and lets you control your computer with custom buttons.
Step 1: Install the Software
- Download Touch Portal on your PC/Mac from their official site.
- Download the Touch Portal app on your old phone.
Step 2: Connect
- Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi.
- Open the app, and it should auto-connect to your desktop.
Step 3: Create Your Grid
- Drag and drop actions on your desktop screen.
- For Gamers: Create a button that says “Mute Discord” or “Start OBS Recording.”
- For Workers: Create a button that opens Gmail, Slack, and Zoom instantly (The “Morning Protocol”).
- For Editors: Map “Ctrl+Z” (Undo) and “Ctrl+S” (Save) to massive buttons on your phone screen.
Alternative: If you prefer the official Elgato ecosystem, you can use Stream Deck Mobile, which is now free for the first 6 keys.
The Result: A fully customizable, touch-screen macro pad that sits under your monitor. Cost: $0.
Bonus: The “Offline” Jukebox
If the screen is too cracked for the options above, turn it into a Dedicated Music Player.
- Wipe the phone (Factory Reset).
- Delete all social media apps (No Instagram, no TikTok).
- Download Spotify or Apple Music and download your “Focus” or “Workout” playlists for Offline Mode.
- Now you have an iPod Touch. Use it for the gym or deep work without the risk of getting distracted by a WhatsApp notification.
The Verdict
The most sustainable gadget is the one you already own. Before you close that drawer, plug that old phone in. You just saved yourself $100.