What To Do With an Old iPad? 12 Solutions for 2025

The iPad is designed to take the tablet experience to the next level. But with Apple releasing new models so frequently, it’s easy to find yourself with an older version lying around. Don’t discard it yet! iPads are known for their durability, and even older models have plenty of life left in them. We’ve curated a list of 12 clever ways to repurpose your old iPad, breathing new life into your tech.

1. Mount it on your car
2. Turn it into a security camera
3. Use it as a second screen
4. Repurpose it as a smart home controller
5. Turn it into a kitchen tablet
6. Make it a digital photo or video frame
7. Make it an e-reader
8. Give it to your kids
9. Use it as a nightstand alarm clock
10. Sell your old iPad
11. Trade in with Apple
12. Buy refurbished

1. Mount it on your car

Old iPad mounted on a car's headrest, transforming it into a sleek digital display.

One of the most valuable features of an old iPad is the camera. If you want to repurpose your old iPad, you can mount the Apple tablet to your dashboard and monitor the traffic while driving.

Dashboard cameras have become increasingly popular because users can protect themselves from fraud during traffic incidents. You only need a good amount of storage for your video or a dash camera app.

A second option is to use it as a hub for entertainment and music for the car. Maybe you prefer to have your music library inside the device, or you may mount the iPad so your kids or other companions can watch a movie, play video games, or listen to their favorite songs while you drive.

It can also be used as an entertainment/navigation system in the car, and you can mount it near the driver’s seat to access the navigation feature on a big screen.

2. Turn it into a security camera

A close-up of an old iPad's home screen displays a cozy living room with a fireplace, sofa, and armchair.

If you can use an old iPad as a dashboard camera for your car, then you can use it as a camera in your home.

The most important thing when turning an old iPad into a home security camera is finding a power source and protecting it from natural elements. You will want to avoid other people messing with it, too.

Consider running a cable outside and mounting the device under a cover. Then, run a video monitoring app over your Wi-Fi network at all times.

To save your security footage in a safe place, you can pay for a monthly subscription to a cloud storage solution or purchase extra storage, along with physical backups.

3. Use it as a second screen

A home office setup with a tablet displaying a document in the foreground, a keyboard and mouse in front of it, and a laptop and external monitor in the background.

If you have a Mac and an iPad running on iPadOS 13 or later, you can use the iPad as a second screen with Apple’s Sidecar.

The sidecar can be used wirelessly and accessed by clicking the AirPlay icon in the menu bar on your Mac and selecting your iPad. This will allow you to extend your Mac’s screen onto your iPad.

Another way you can repurpose your old iPad into a monitor is by using a Wi-Fi connection and Apple’s Air Display. It works with a free desktop client (available for both PC and Mac) over a Wi-Fi network to turn your iPad into a second (or third or fourth) monitor.

If you are keen on streaming and online gaming, a second or third display using your old iPad could also do wonders when reading the chat or having any other streaming tool at hand for a live video.

4. Repurpose it as a smart home controller

A repurposed old iPad is mounted in a wall, elegantly displaying various app icons within a stylish home interior, offering a glimpse of a chandelier and dining area.

You can repurpose an old iPad to function as a Smart Home Controller, making your home more comfortable.

Your iPad can serve as a light switch, thermostat, security panel, and TV remote. This way, you’ll be able to jump effortlessly into smart home technology.

You can control almost anything in your house, provided you download universal remote control apps available on the App Store.

All you need is an iPad, a stable Wi-Fi network, and some specially designed hardware that converts Wi-Fi signals into various types of control.

5. Turn it into a kitchen tablet

An iPad displaying a recipe sits on a countertop stand in a modern kitchen. The stand also holds containers for cooking utensils, toothpicks, and matches. In the background, a stovetop, a bowl of limes, and a coffee pour-over stand are visible.

An iPad in the kitchen? Well, we don’t mean to use it as a chopping board, of course!

You can repurpose an old iPad as your kitchen companion to show you new recipe books. It’s a great way for inexperienced cooks to prepare even the most complicated dishes.

To take care of your iPad, put it in a protective cover or mount it on a wall or a cabinet.

Don’t forget to browse and download a cooking app to help elaborate your favorite dish with built-in timers, check conversion charts, and quickly swipe through information without dealing with paper cookbooks or notes.

6. Make it a digital photo or video frame

On a table, an old iPad showcases a photo of three people smiling and posing closely together outdoors.

Repurposing an old iPad into a digital photo frame is an idea you may not have considered.

The Apple tablet can display photos and video clips in a slideshow, so it’s pretty easy. You’d only need to get an adhesive mount or prop it up, and there are products and accessories for the iPad to hang it on a wall.

The second thing you need is a way to power it up. For instance, if the tablet is near a computer, you can use its standard USB port. If there isn’t enough distance to do it, use an extension cord.

And lastly, you can get an inexpensive USB wall charger if no PC is around.

7. Make it an e-reader

An iPad displaying a list of book titles, including

How about turning your iPad into an e-reader? With plenty of e-books to choose from in Apple Books, you could easily repurpose your old tablet to browse and access a catalog of endless books you want to read, audiobooks included.

The good news is that e-books are much more affordable than physical copies, and you can find books that are not available on paper anymore.

The iPad can also enhance your experience with features like highlighting, annotations, and uploading your favorite passages to the cloud for later reference.

Take into consideration that the backlit screen may not be ideal for reading for an extended period. Turn down the brightness to have a more comfortable experience.

8. Give it to your kids

With tons and tons of games available for the iPad, children can entertain themselves with an iPad you won’t use anymore.

Not only that, some streaming services offer kid-friendly content to keep your kids engaged with educational and fun content.

As you may know, Apple has robust parental controls to track how much time the kids spend on the device and restrict the content they can play, watch, or listen to.

👉 Related: 5 Best iPads for Kids in 2025

👉 Learn more: How to Set Up and Use an iPad: A Complete Guide

9. Use it as a nightstand alarm clock

Breathing new life into your old iPad can be as simple as turning it into a chic nightstand alarm clock.

Start by cleaning your iPad and arranging it upright on your nightstand with the aid of a stand or case.

Then, choose the perfect clock app. The App Store is abundant with choices like Bedside Clock, Flip Clock, or Nightstand that serve as alarm clocks and add stylish displays to your device.

Screenshots of the Flip Clock app for iPad that turns the tablet into a nightstand alarm clock showing the time on a dark background. — *Flip Clock screenshots*

Once you’ve downloaded your app of choice, tweak the settings to your liking, ensuring that the iPad’s brightness is suitable for nighttime use and that Do Not Disturb is activated.

Lastly, keep your iPad plugged in overnight so you’re not greeted with a dead battery come morning.

10. Sell your old iPad

Sell Your Mac can help you sell your old iPad. They offer a free FedEx shipping label, a 30-day offer guarantee, and a hassle-free selling experience.

You can get a $10 credit on your sale through our partnership. 👇

⏩ Claim your $10 credit when selling your old iPad

11. Trade in with Apple

Trade-in promotion banner for iPad. Two iPads with estimated trade-in values—iPad Pro up to $520, iPad Air up to $270, iPad up to $185, and iPad mini up to $210.

You can get great value from your iPad when purchasing a new or refurbished device by sending it back to the Apple Store.

Apple’s trade-in program lets you trade in your old iPad for credit toward your next purchase. You can also get an Apple Gift Card, which can be used anytime. The model or condition of the iPad doesn’t matter; Apple can still process your trade-in nonetheless.

👉 Learn more: How to Save Money with Apple Trade In And Buying Refurbished

A trade-in is an excellent way to put your efforts into reducing the overflowing e-waste and boosting the circular economy while getting a fully working product at a discounted price.

12. Buy refurbished

Sometimes, no option convinces you, or you just want to get rid of your old iPad and buy a new one. Luckily, there is a cheaper option than buying a factory-new one: buying a refurbished model.

The refurbishing process is done by expert technicians, and all devices include a warranty.

You can compare all refurbished iPad deals here on RefurbMe. They all have the same functionality as a brand-new product.

Check every available deal from our trusted merchants in real time below. 👇