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Kids outgrow most things they get in life, and their phone is no exception. If your kid has just upgraded their device or is planning to, you might be wondering what to do with the old one sitting around.
Leaving the iPhone to collect dust is value wasted, and selling it without taking the proper precautions can pose a serious security and privacy risk to your family. The good news is that whether it's a functional or even a broken iPhone, you can still get real value out of it.
That's why today I’m going to walk you through 6 smart things you can do with your kids' old iPhone and how to do each one the right way.
First Things First: Secure and Reset the Old iPhone
Before I get into what you can do with the device, you need to secure it first. This step ensures the phone is clean, safe, and ready, whether you plan to sell it, hand it down, or donate it.
Their old phone likely still has photos, messages, school files, and contacts that matter. So before anything else, here's what you need to do:
1. Back Up Important Data
Start by saving everything worth keeping. You can back up this data to iCloud or to a computer, depending on what you have around you. Either one works fine.
To back up via iCloud: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now. Make sure the device is on Wi-Fi and wait for it to complete before moving on.
2. Remove Personal Information
Once the backup is done, it's time to wipe the slate clean. Work through this checklist in the right order to avoid Activation Lock issues and before handing the phone off to anyone:
- Turn off Find My iPhone. Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and toggle it off. You will need the Apple ID password.
- Sign out of Apple ID. Go to Settings > [your name], scroll down and tap Sign Out.
- Erase All Content and Settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes the device to factory settings.
For a more detailed walkthrough of each step, see our guide on how to securely erase your phone data.
3. Check Battery Health and Condition
This step helps you understand what the phone is actually worth before you decide what to do with it. While factors like model, storage size, and whether it's carrier-unlocked all play a role, battery health has got to be one of the biggest determinants of value.
According to ecoATM, the best time to sell your phone is if it is within the range of 85% and 82%. Sellers with batteries that have dropped into the seventies can lose $40 to $100 on the exact same phone compared to those who sell while health is still above 80%.
To check it, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
6 Smart Things to Do With Your Kids' Old iPhone
Now your kid’s old iPhone is secured and reset. Moving on, here’s six ways to put your kids' old iPhone to good use.
1. Turn It Into a Learning Device
If you have a younger child at home, you can simply repurpose the old iPhone into a dedicated learning tool to support their education and development. This way, your money is still working, and you can still get value out of the old device.
So here’s how to do it right:
Load it with apps for reading, language learning, math practice, and homework support. I’d advise that you do your own research and possibly use the apps yourself before you start downloading them for your child. Apple's App Store has a strong selection of educator-approved options across every age group to make this easy for you.
To make the most of this, enable Screen Time and parental controls by going to Settings > Screen Time. This lets you restrict content, set daily limits, and approve downloads, so the device stays a learning tool and not a distraction.
2. Keep It as an Emergency Phone
This is one of the most practical uses for an old iPhone. In many countries, iPhones can still dial emergency services even without an active SIM card, making it a reliable backup in a pinch. (Note: this capability varies by country and carrier, so verify this applies in your region.)
You can have your child carry it on school trips, sports outings, or any situation where they're away from home without a primary phone. Keep it charged and stored somewhere accessible, and it becomes a quiet but valuable safety net in case of any emergency situations.
You can also insert a spare SIM with a basic plan, and add just a handful of key contacts; home, both parents, and a trusted adult, so your child can reach help quickly without access to a full contact list.
3. Turn It Into a Smart Home Controller
Most people never think of this one, but it's one of the best uses for an old iPhone that still runs a modern iOS version.
You can permanently plug it in, set it on a counter stand or mount it on a wall and voila it becomes an inexpensive smart home controller. You can use it to control smart lights, thermostats, door locks, and security cameras through Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home. It can also run a doorbell camera or baby monitor feed full time, without draining your main phone's battery or interrupting your day.
To lock it to a single app, enable Guided Access under Settings > Accessibility. Pair it with a cheap stand or wall mount and you have a purpose-built screen that costs nothing extra.
Compatibility note: Best on iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16 and above, check that first before committing.
One thing to note: if you're using Apple Home, the old iPhone works as a control screen when you're on your home Wi-Fi, but you'll need a HomePod or Apple TV to run automations remotely. Alexa and Google Home don't have this limitation.
4. Sell the Old iPhone for Extra Cash
Already got the new device? Selling the old iPhone outright is one of the best ways to put money back in your pocket. Buyback services make it easy to sell used iPhones for cash quickly and without the usual back-and-forth of marketplaces.
So, if you want to sell your kid’s old iPhone conveniently while still getting a great deal, then SellMyCellPhone is an excellent option. SellMyCellPhone is a buyback service that makes the process hassle-free and fast while still offering competitive payouts. In fact, in this best buyback comparison, SellMyCellPhone ranked as the best paying buyback service out there.
Also, in a recent 5-Star Trustpilot review, one parent described how she was happy with the process after selling her family’s old phones, praising the smooth communication and payout process.
Head to SellMyCellPhone, get an instant quote for your device, and know exactly what it's worth before you commit.
5. Donate It to Someone in Need
If the phone is functional but your family simply doesn't need it, donating it is a meaningful option. Many people and organisations can benefit from a working device:
- Schools and after-school programs that provide devices to students who don't have them
- Charitable organisations that refurbish and redistribute phones to underserved communities
- Community programs that support seniors, low-income families, or people re-entering the workforce
Before donating, make sure you've completed all the reset steps above so the new user gets a clean device. Donating an old iPhone is one of the simplest ways to extend its useful life and make a direct impact close to home.
6. Recycle It Responsibly
If the phone is broken, too outdated to be useful, or simply beyond repair, recycling it is the right call. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. According to the WEEE Forum, over 5.3 billion mobile phones were expected to become e-waste in 2022 alone, and phones contain toxic materials that can be harmful if they end up in a landfill. So responsible recycling is increasingly important.
- Send it to SellMyCellPhone and we’ll recycle it responsibly. You can use our free shipping label, so it comes at no cost to you. If the device arrives and we see it still has some value we’ll send you a payout.
- Apple's Trade In & Recycling program will take back any Apple device, even broken ones, at no cost.
Recycling ensures that valuable materials, lithium, aluminium, rare earth metals, are recovered properly, and that hazardous components don't end up where they shouldn't.
Should You Sell, Keep, Donate, or Recycle? (Quick Decision Guide)
Not sure which option fits your situation? Use this simple framework:
Sell it if
The phone is in working condition and still holds market value. The sooner after the upgrade you act, the better the return. SellMyCellPhone buys damaged devices, as long as the device turns on and isn’t water-damaged. So, the device doesn’t have to be perfect to sell it for cash.
Keep it if
A younger sibling could use it as a learning tool, a hand-me-down or you want a reliable emergency backup device in the house.
Donate it if
The phone still works, but is too outdated to fetch a meaningful sale price. Putting it in someone's hands who needs it is a better outcome than letting it sit in a drawer.
Recycle it if
The screen is shattered, it won't turn on, or it's so old that no one could practically use it.
Mistakes Parents Make With Old iPhones
Even well-intentioned parents make avoidable missteps with old devices. Here are the most common ones to watch out for:
- Forgetting to erase data before passing the phone along: this is the biggest risk and the most common oversight.
- Leaving Apple ID and iCloud accounts logged in: This can lock the next user out and expose your personal information.
- Throwing the phone in the trash instead of recycling: This is bad and contributes to e-waste and potentially violates local disposal regulations.
- Missing trade-in windows: Resale and buyback values drop steadily over time. Waiting six months can cost you meaningfully; around 15-25% of the iPhone’s value.
- Holding onto a device indefinitely "just in case": only to find it's lost most of its value by the time you finally decide to act.
The common thread: time works against you with old devices. The sooner you decide what to do, the more value (financial or otherwise) you'll be able to get from your kid's old iPhone.
Final Words
Your child’s old iPhone still has real value, it just depends how you want to use it. You can sell it for cash, turn it into a learning or media device, or donate it to someone in need.
What matters most is taking action fast. The longer it sits, the more value it loses.
Start by securing the device, choose the option that fits your family, and if you decide to sell, sell it today on SellMyCellPhone to get the most money with the least hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do with an old iPhone after upgrading?
After upgrading, your old iPhone still has several good uses. You can sell it for cash, keep it as a backup phone, use it as a dedicated media or music device, turn it into a smart home controller, or donate it if it’s still in good condition. If it’s too old or not working properly, recycling it through a certified program is the safest option.
How to repurpose an old iPhone for kids?
You can turn an old iPhone into a safe kid-friendly device by enabling Screen Time and parental controls, then loading it with educational apps, games, and learning tools. You can also restrict web access, set daily usage limits, and disable app installs. This makes it useful for reading, learning, and entertainment without exposing your child to unnecessary risks.
Should I factory reset my phone before giving it to my child?
Yes. You should always factory reset an iPhone before handing it to a child or anyone else. This removes your personal data, Apple ID, messages, photos, and app history. It also prevents issues like Activation Lock and ensures the device starts fresh with proper parental controls set up from scratch.
What to do with really old iPhones?
Really old iPhones can still be useful depending on their condition. If they still work, you can use them as emergency phones, music players, security camera monitors, or simple media devices. If they no longer function well or are too outdated, the best option is to recycle them responsibly through SellMyCellPhone or Apple’s e-waste to recover materials safely.