If you’ve got an old iPad lying around, collecting dust in a drawer, you’re definitely not alone. Most of us upgrade every few years, and the previous-gen device ends up forgotten—battery half-dead, apps outdated, and honestly, a little sad-looking. But what if I told you that your old iPad still has tons of life left in it? Seriously, these things are insanely versatile, and with a bit of creativity, you can turn that forgotten tablet into one of the coolest and most useful tools in your house.
I’ve personally revived two old iPads over the years—one from 2014 and one even older—and honestly, repurposing them became way more satisfying than selling them for a few dollars. So if you’re wondering what to do with yours, you’re in the right place. Let’s chat about some of the coolest, easiest, and surprisingly useful ways to give your old iPad a whole new purpose.
Transform It Into a Dedicated Smart Home Hub
One of the coolest ways to repurpose your old iPad is turning it into a smart home dashboard. Even older iPads handle apps like HomeKit, SmartThings, or Alexa really well.
Set it up on a wall mount or a simple stand, and you instantly have a central spot to:
- Control lights
- Check security camera feeds
- Manage thermostats
- Trigger automation routines
- Monitor door sensors
Why is this awesome? Because your primary phone no longer needs to pull double-duty. Your iPad becomes your command center, and the bigger screen is way more satisfying for quick adjustments.
If you use Apple’s ecosystem, the Home app alone turns the iPad into a mini “control room.” And yes—older iPads can still run the app as long as they meet basic iOS requirements. IMO, this is one of the most useful long-term transformations you can make.
Use It as a Dedicated Kitchen Companion
If you love cooking—or at least pretending to follow recipes—this one’s a game changer. Transform your old iPad into a kitchen assistant, and suddenly meal prep feels way more fun.
Break it down like this:
Recipe Display Station
Use apps like Tasty, AllRecipes, or even Pinterest boards. That large screen keeps your hands free and your phone clean (finally no flour smudges everywhere).
Digital Cookbook Library
Load your favorite PDFs, scanned handwritten recipes, and bookmarked websites. Your iPad becomes your personal chef’s notebook.
Hands-Free Cooking with Voice Commands
Even older iPads still support Siri for basic functions. Ask for timers, unit conversions, or reminders while chopping veggies.
Bonus Tip: Get a cheap splash-proof stand. Your iPad stays safe even if dinner experiments get messy. 😄
Turn It Into a Kids’ Learning and Entertainment Tablet
Instead of letting kids drain the battery on your expensive primary iPad, hand them the older one—fully curated for learning and fun.
Here’s why this works so well:
- Educational apps don’t require the newest hardware.
- You can enable Guided Access to control what they access.
- You keep your main device free from accidental chaos.
Perfect uses:
- Interactive learning apps like ABCmouse, Khan Kids, or Montessori tools
- Drawing and creativity apps like Procreate Pocket
- Offline movies for road trips
- Kids’ audiobooks and bedtime stories
Set up a kid-friendly case, manage screen time limits, and boom—you’ve created a safe digital playground without buying a new device.
Convert It Into a Dedicated e-Reader or Study Hub
Old iPads might not feel “new,” but they’re perfect for reading and productivity.
Turn yours into:
A Dedicated e-Reader
Apps like Kindle, Apple Books, Libby, and Scribd run perfectly on older models. The bigger screen gives you a more immersive reading experience than a phone.
PDF and Notebook Station
If you’re a student, researcher, or anyone who handles PDFs a lot, an old iPad becomes a note-taking beast—even without an Apple Pencil. Use apps like:
- Notability
- GoodNotes
- Adobe Acrobat
- Evernote
- OneNote
Plus, you can sync across devices, so your old iPad becomes the designated “reading desk.”
Turn It Into a Second Monitor for Your Laptop or Desktop
This trick is a productivity CHEAT CODE.
With apps like Duet Display or Splashtop Wired XDisplay, you can turn your old iPad into a secondary screen, even if it’s several years old.
Why you’ll love it:
- Extra workspace = huge productivity boost
- Works perfectly for monitors-on-the-go
- Great for referencing documents while writing
- Amazing for coding, editing, or spreadsheets
- Cheaper than a real portable monitor
If your iPad supports Sidecar, even better—wireless second-screen functionality makes your workflow smooth and modern.
Use It as a Dedicated Media Player or TV Screen
Got an old iPad with a decent display? Perfect. It can instantly become your:
- Netflix/YouTube binge screen
- Disney+ entertainment center for kids
- Spotify remote control
- Kitchen TV
- Bedroom streaming screen
Mount it on a wall or place it on a floating stand. Use the speakers for light background music or connect a Bluetooth speaker for a mini home theater experience.
This is one of those transformations where you’ll think, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Turn It Into a Home Security Monitor
You’d be surprised how well older iPads handle security camera feeds.
Apps like:
- Nest
- Ring
- Arlo
- Eufy
- Reolink
Let you keep your cameras in view 24/7. Place the iPad on a stand near your entryway or living room, and instantly you’ve built your own home surveillance dashboard.
If you’re someone who likes peace of mind, this one is a no-brainer.
Create a Digital Photo Frame (One of the Best Uses!)
Honestly, this one feels magical—especially if you turn on slideshow mode.
Your old iPad can run:
- Apple Photos
- Google Photos
- Dropbox photo albums
- Digital art rotations
- Motivational quote frames
Use a minimalist stand and let it loop through memories, travel shots, family photos, or aesthetic designs. The best part? You can update the album remotely via cloud storage.
Imagine walking past a rotating photo frame every morning—it’s like giving your home a little emotional upgrade.
Use It as a Dedicated Car Dashboard or Navigation Tablet
If you’ve got a long commute or love road trips, this one’s genius.
Your old iPad becomes:
- A large-screen GPS
- A car infotainment center
- A mounted YouTube Music station (for when parked)
- A real-time traffic display
Apps like Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, and Apple Maps still run great on older devices.
Just mount your iPad securely, connect to your hotspot, and enjoy a futuristic dashboard vibe.
Build a Smart Alarm Clock or Bedside Command Center
This is another sleeper idea a lot of people overlook.
Here’s what your old iPad can handle effortlessly:
- Alarm clock
- Weather dashboard
- Nightstand playlist player
- Sleep app display
- Calendar overview
- Quick note-taking
- Meditation and focus apps
Apps like Alarmy, Calm, Headspace, and Sleep Cycle work beautifully, even on older devices.
With a soft dim light setting, your iPad turns into a minimalist bedside assistant.
Turn It Into a Home Server, File Hub, or Cloud Storage Extension
If you’re a little more tech-savvy, this idea is super satisfying.
You can use your old iPad as:
- A mini home cloud
- A file viewer station
- A document organizer
- A portable backup server (using apps like FileBrowser or Plex tools)
It’s basically a lightweight productivity tool you can keep anywhere—home office, living room, or in your backpack for traveling.
Create a Dedicated Fitness or Workout Screen
Instead of dragging your phone around the gym or living room, your old iPad becomes your fitness buddy.
Workout apps that run perfectly on older iPads:
- Nike Training Club
- Pilates Anytime
- YouTube fitness channels
- Yoga apps
- HIIT timers
- Dance workout videos
Put the iPad on the floor, shelf, or a small stand, and you instantly have a personal trainer screen.
Use It as a Digital Drawing Pad (Even Without Apple Pencil)
If you’re into art—or even if you’re not—this one’s surprisingly fun.
Use apps like:
- Autodesk SketchBook
- Procreate (older versions still run amazingly well)
- Adobe Fresco
- Tayasui Sketches
Even if your iPad doesn’t support the Apple Pencil, many apps work beautifully with:
- A cheap stylus
- Your fingertip
- Pressure-sensitive third-party pens
It’s great for doodling, concept sketches, journaling, or creating digital planners.
Final Thoughts: Your Old iPad Is a Goldmine of Possibilities
When you think about it, an old iPad is basically a tiny, portable computer—and throwing it away or letting it rot in a drawer feels like a waste now, doesn’t it? Whether you turn it into a smart home hub, a photo frame, a second monitor, or even a kids’ learning station, there’s no shortage of cool transformations waiting to happen.
So, instead of wondering what to do with it, pick one idea that fits your lifestyle and give it a try. You might be surprised how much value—and pure enjoyment—you can still get out of your “old” device.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up thinking:
“Wow… why did I not do this earlier?” 😉
Ready to revive your iPad? Go make it useful again—it deserves a second life.
