What happened to the old cell phone? 3 tips for your car

Once you have backed up all the data from your old smartphone and transferred it to the new cell phone, the question arises as to how you can use your previous cell phone sensibly. Because storing things in a drawer rarely really makes sense. Of course you can sell your old smartphone. But this is just one – admittedly quite mundane – method to ensure that the smartphone doesn’t rot in the drawer. They are usually only worthwhile for comparatively modern devices. So why not continue to use the device – as a second cell phone. You can use your old cell phone more sensibly in the car, for example.

Use an old cell phone in the car as a navigation system and car phone

You can use a used cell phone in the cell phone holder in the car to replace a car phone or navigation device. This means the main cell phone can remain permanently in the holder. There is no need to plug and unplug. Drivers who get in and out often will especially appreciate this. Powered by a charging cable via the cigarette lighter or USB socket, there is no question of the battery dwindling.

However, a second SIM card is recommended. A navigation app can also work offline if maps can be downloaded. However, the navigation system then has no traffic data or traffic jam information. Even Google Maps now works offline – albeit only to a limited extent. Alternatively, you can set up your new cell phone as a hotspot and continue to offer internet to your old cell phone.

However, you cannot make calls without a SIM. If your cell phone network provider offers a multi-SIM, this would be the option of choice. Alternatively, a different SIM card can be used and calls can be redirected from the phone in your pocket to the car phone. Tip: If your discarded smartphone already supports the eSIM, you can book a completely free cell phone tariff with 3 GB of data volume from GMX.

Use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot

Especially if several devices need to access the Internet at the same time, a WLAN is better than a cellular connection for each individual device. The old cell phone can take over this function and set up a mobile hotspot while traveling. For example, you can use a booked day flat rate so that the whole family can go online in the car. And when you’re on a business trip, the mobile hotspot in your work bag can power your own smartphone as well as your laptop without sacrificing your own cell phone’s battery. With a correspondingly good power bank, you can easily get through the day with your own WiFi hotspot when it comes to battery. Here too, a separate SIM card is required for this actually old smartphone.

Logbook with the second cell phone

In some situations it is necessary to keep a logbook. The old smartphone in the car can do this too. By leaving the cell phone in the car, it records driving independently of the driver and the owner of the smartphone.

In the Google and Apple app stores you can find corresponding apps with the keyword logbook that automatically record every trip when the car moves.