Got an old smartphone gathering dust? Instead of tossing it aside, you can turn it into a dedicated smart home remote. This simple project gives your smart devices a central control point and adds convenience to your daily routine. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.
Prepare Your Old Phone
First, back up any important data on the phone. Then perform a factory reset to clear out old apps and files. This refreshes the device and improves its performance. After resetting, update the phone’s software to the latest version available. This ensures compatibility with current smart home apps and better security. Finally, uninstall any apps you won’t need to free up storage space and reduce distractions.
Choose Your Setup Style
Decide how you want to use the phone as a smart home remote. You can mount it on a wall or place it on a charging dock in a central spot, turning it into a fixed control hub. Using a wireless charger or dock keeps it powered without clutter. Alternatively, keep it portable by using a stand or case with a kickstand. Pair it with a portable power bank if you want to move it around your home easily.
Install Smart Home Control Apps
Next, install the apps that control your smart devices. Popular options include Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Philips Hue. Log into your accounts and connect the phone to your home Wi-Fi network. This setup lets you manage lights, thermostats, cameras, and more from one device.
Customize Your Interface
Make the phone easy to use by customizing its interface. Consider installing a launcher app like Nova Launcher to create a clean, simple home screen focused on your smart home controls. Add widgets or shortcuts for your most-used devices and scenes to access them quickly. Disable unnecessary notifications and lock the phone to prevent accidental changes.
Enhance Functionality with Automation and Voice Control
Take advantage of automation features in your smart home apps. Set routines like turning on lights at sunset or adjusting the thermostat when you leave. Enable voice assistants such as Google Assistant or Alexa on the phone for hands-free control. If you want better audio feedback, pair the phone with Bluetooth speakers.
Bonus: Use Your Old Phone as a Sensor
Some phones support repurposing as smart sensors. For example, Samsung’s Galaxy Upcycling program lets you use your device to detect sounds like a baby crying or measure light levels. These sensors can trigger automations in your smart home system, adding more functionality to your setup.
Summary
Turning an old smartphone into a dedicated smart home remote is a practical, budget-friendly way to boost your home automation. With a little setup, your old device becomes a powerful control center for lights, thermostats, cameras, and more — all accessible from a single screen.
FAQs
Q: Can I use any old smartphone?
- Most smartphones that connect to Wi-Fi and run current apps will work well.
Q: Do I need a SIM card?
- No, the phone just needs Wi-Fi since it won’t be used for calls.
Q: Can I control devices from different brands?
- Yes, by installing multiple apps, you can manage devices from various ecosystems.
Q: Is voice control possible?
- Yes, if the phone supports voice assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa, you can use voice commands.
Give your old smartphone a new purpose as a smart home remote and enjoy easier, centralized control of your connected devices.
