15 Useful Things to Do with an Old iPad
Last Updated: April 11, 2025
If you’ve upgraded to a newer iPad model, don’t let your older device gather dust in a drawer. There are numerous creative and functional ways to give your outdated tablet a second life. From transforming it into a digital picture frame to using it as a home automation control center, your old iPad can serve a variety of purposes that enhance your daily life.
Looking for iPhone ideas instead? Check out our guide on what to do with an old iPhone.
1. Digital Picture Frame
One of the simplest yet most touching ways to repurpose your old iPad is by turning it into a digital picture frame and create beautiful, continuous slideshows of your favorite photos.
Place it on your desk, mantle, or bookshelf, and let it cycle through images of family vacations, special occasions, or candid moments. This setup adds a personal touch to your living space while giving you a daily reminder of cherished memories.
Pro tip: Create seasonal photo collections or themed displays for holidays and special occasions. Most photo frame apps allow you to schedule different albums to display at specific times.
2. Home Automation Control Hub
If you’re invested in smart home technology, your old iPad can become a dedicated control panel for all your connected devices. By downloading apps for your specific ecosystem (Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa), you can manage your home’s lighting, thermostat, security cameras, and more from a single location.
Mount the iPad in a high-traffic area like the kitchen or hallway using an inexpensive wall mount, and enjoy the convenience of having your smart home controls always accessible. This setup not only simplifies device management but also frees up your primary devices for other tasks.
Best for: iPad models that can run at least iOS 14, which offers enhanced home automation features.
3. Dedicated E-reader
Transform your old iPad into an e-reader by loading it up with your favorite books. With apps like Kindle, Apple Books, or Libby (for borrowing e-books from your local library), your iPad becomes a portable library with a display that’s significantly larger than most dedicated e-readers.
The larger screen makes it ideal for reading magazines, graphic novels, textbooks, and PDFs that might feel cramped on smaller devices. Use Night Shift in Control Center to reduce blue light when reading in the evening.
Accessibility bonus: Take advantage of the built-in screen reader and font size adjustments to make reading easier for those with visual impairments.
4. Second Monitor for Your Computer
For those who work from home or engage in creative projects, screen real estate is invaluable. Depending on your iPad model and computer, you have several options:
- For Mac users: Use Apple’s built-in Sidecar feature (available on macOS Catalina and later with compatible iPads)
- For all users: Apps like Duet Display or Luna Display can turn your iPad into a wireless second monitor for both Mac and Windows computers
This setup can greatly enhance your productivity by allowing you to keep reference materials, chat windows, or secondary applications visible while you work on your main screen.
Workflow enhancement: Use your iPad as a dedicated space for tools and palettes when working in creative applications like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro.
5. Kitchen Assistant and Digital Cookbook
Your old iPad makes a perfect kitchen companion. With its large screen and portability, it’s ideal for displaying recipes while you prepare meals. Apps like Paprika, Tasty, and Yummly offer thousands of recipes with step-by-step instructions, videos, and shopping lists.
Mount the iPad on a stand or under a cabinet (using special mounts available online), and you have a hands-free digital cookbook. Use a screen protector and consider a washable case for easy cleaning when inevitable kitchen spills happen.
Bonus use: Set timers, convert measurements, and watch cooking tutorials all on the same device while you prepare meals.
6. Dedicated Music and Podcast Station
Turn your old iPad into an entertainment hub for your home audio needs. With streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, or your favorite streaming service, you can create playlists and control your music without tying up your main devices.
Connect the iPad to a Bluetooth speaker or sound system for enhanced audio. For an elegant setup, use a stand that displays your iPad like a mini entertainment center, and dedicate this device solely to media consumption.
Audio enhancement: Connect your iPad to a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) for improved sound quality when listening through headphones or external speakers.
7. Gaming Device for Kids
Even older iPad models can run thousands of games that will entertain children for hours. Create a separate Apple ID for kids with appropriate content restrictions, then load the device with educational games and approved entertainment apps.
With proper parental controls and screen time limits in place, your old iPad becomes a dedicated gaming device that won’t interrupt your workflow on your primary devices.
Safety tip: Use Guided Access (found in Accessibility settings) to lock children into a specific app, preventing them from accessing other parts of the iPad.
8. Digital Art Canvas
For the artistically inclined, an old iPad can be a fantastic digital sketchpad. Apps like Freeform, Adobe Fresco, or even Apple’s Notes app offer a range of tools for drawing, painting, and illustration.
While newer iPads support the Apple Pencil, older models can be paired with third-party styluses like the Logitech Crayon or Adonit styluses for a responsive drawing experience.
Getting started: Even if you’re not an artist, digital coloring books and simple drawing apps can provide relaxing creative outlets.
9. Smart Alarm Clock and Bedside Assistant
Transform your iPad into a multifunctional bedside companion. With the built-in Clock app, your iPad can display the time, weather, and calendar while charging overnight.
Use Night Shift and Dark Mode to reduce eye strain in the evening, and take advantage of Do Not Disturb to ensure you’re not disturbed by notifications while sleeping.
Sleep improvement: Add white noise or sleep sounds apps to help create the perfect sleeping environment.
10. Video Conferencing Station
Set up your old iPad as a dedicated video calling device for staying in touch with family and friends. Apps like FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet work well on older iPads, and having a dedicated device means you don’t have to worry about your phone battery draining during long calls.
Use a stable stand to position the iPad at eye level for more flattering and comfortable video calls.
Privacy tip: Consider using a webcam cover when not in video calls to protect your privacy.
11. Security Camera or Baby Monitor
With apps like Presence or Manything, your old iPad can become a security camera or baby monitor. Position it where you need monitoring, and then view the feed from your current phone or another device.
This repurposing option gives you home security or baby monitoring capabilities without investing in specialized equipment.
Power solution: For continuous use, keep your iPad plugged in or invest in a battery case to extend its life.
Media Center for Your TV
If your old iPad has an HDMI adapter or supports AirPlay to an Apple TV, it can become a dedicated media center for your television. Load it with streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, then connect it to your TV for easy viewing.
This setup is especially useful for older TVs that don’t have smart features built in, essentially upgrading them to smart TV status.
Content organization: Create folders for different types of entertainment to keep your media center organized.
13. Educational Tool for Children
Transform your old iPad into a learning station for children. Load it with educational apps aligned with your child’s age and interests, from basic ABC learning apps to complex STEM activities for older kids.
Create a dedicated space with the iPad mounted securely, along with headphones for audio lessons and activities.
Structure tip: Organize educational apps by subject to create a curriculum-like experience.
12. Dedicated Video Streaming Device
Even if your iPad is too old for the latest games or productive tasks, it can likely still handle video streaming. Dedicate it to services like YouTube, Netflix, or Disney+ for a portable entertainment device.
This is perfect for travel, keeping kids entertained in the car, or watching shows while exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike.
Data saving: Download content when on Wi-Fi for offline viewing to avoid using cellular data.
14. Weather and Information Dashboard
Mount your old iPad on a wall and turn it into an information center that displays the weather, calendar events, news, and other useful information. Apps like Morning, Panels, or Dashboard Pro create customized information hubs with widgets for various data sources.
Place it in a central location like your kitchen or near your front door to check essential information as you start your day.
Morning routine: Set up automation to wake the screen and show your dashboard information at specific times.
15. Portable Teleprompter
Transform your old iPad into a professional teleprompter for video content creation, presentations, or speeches. With apps like PromptSmart or Teleprompter Premium, you can create smooth, natural-looking videos without memorizing scripts.
The iPad’s screen size is perfect for reading at a comfortable distance, and many teleprompter apps offer features like speech recognition to automatically scroll at your speaking pace. This is especially useful for content creators, educators making instructional videos, or professionals giving presentations.
DIY option: Create a simple teleprompter setup by placing your iPad below your camera and using dark text on a light background to reduce eye movement. For more professional results, affordable teleprompter rigs that work with iPads are available online.
Pro tip: Practice with your teleprompter setup before any important recording sessions to find the ideal text size and scrolling speed for your speaking style.
Bonus Tip: Donating to Those in Need
If none of these options appeal to you, consider donating your old iPad to schools, libraries, or organizations that provide technology to underserved communities. Organizations like Computers with Causes, The National Cristina Foundation, or local schools can ensure your device goes to someone who can truly benefit from it.
Be sure to properly erase your data first (Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings), and include any charging cables or accessories you no longer need.
Before donating: Check with the organization first to ensure they can accept and utilize your specific iPad model.
How to Prepare Your Old iPad for Repurposing
Before implementing any of these ideas, follow these steps to prepare your device:
- Back up important data to iCloud or your computer
- Update to the latest compatible iOS version your iPad can run
- Clean out unnecessary apps and files to free up storage space
- Consider a factory reset if you’re changing the primary purpose of the device
- Invest in appropriate accessories like stands, mounts, or styluses based on your chosen repurposing plan
By giving your old iPad a dedicated purpose, you not only extend its useful life but also enhance your daily routines in creative and practical ways. From keeping memories alive with a digital photo frame to boosting productivity with a second monitor, these ideas ensure your iPad remains a valuable part of your tech ecosystem for years to come.