Upgraded your Apple Watch and not sure what to do with the old one? Don’t toss it in a drawer just yet. Even older Apple Watch models are still packed with useful features that can make your daily life easier in surprising ways. Instead of selling it for very little or letting it collect dust, you can repurpose your old Apple Watch in smart and creative ways.
In this guide, you’ll discover 12 useful things you can do with an old Apple Watch, helping reduce e-waste and even create a few dedicated smart devices around your home.
Is Your Old Apple Watch Still Useful?
Many people stop using their Apple Watch because the battery doesn’t last as long, the device feels slower, or it no longer supports the latest watchOS features. But even older Apple Watch models still offer valuable features like:
- Track activity and workouts
- Show notifications and reminders
- Run basic apps for day-to-day activities
- Control smart home devices
- Work as a timer, alarm, or remote
Before repurposing it, check the battery health and make sure the screen, buttons, and charging still work properly. If the watch is functional, it’s perfect for reuse in a secondary role.
Why You Should Repurpose Your Old Apple Watch Instead of Throwing It Away
Millions of smartwatches are discarded every year, even though many still work perfectly fine. As I mentioned earlier, you can reuse your old Apple Watch in multiple ways.
Repurposing helps you:
- You can save money. Why buy a new device for simple tasks when your watch can already do them?
- It reduces e-waste. Electronics contain materials that are harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.
- The older Apple Watch is still powerful tech. It lets you get more value from your Apple ecosystem.
So, giving your device a second life is both practical and environment-friendly.
Before You Repurpose Your Old Apple Watch: Key Steps to Take
Before turning your old Apple Watch into something new, take a few minutes to prepare it:
- Unpair it from your iPhone: Open the Watch app, go to My Watch tab > All Watches, tap the i button, then unpair. This removes Activation Lock and wipes your data.
- Factory reset the watch. Go to Settings on your Apple Watch and tap General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Update the Apple Watch to the latest supported watchOS version if available for better performance and app compatibility.
- Clean the watch and band thoroughly. Especially important if someone else will use it.
- Consider replacing the band or battery if you plan to use it long-term.
Once it’s fresh and ready, you can start giving it a new purpose.
12 Useful Things You Can Do With an Old Apple Watch
Now, let’s talk about what to do with your old Apple Watch.
1. Use It as a Desk or Bedside Clock
Your Apple Watch makes a perfect smart desk clock or nightstand clock with Nightstand Mode.
- On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown and go to Settings.
- Now, tap General.
- Scroll down, tap Nightstand Mode, and toggle it on.
- Simply, place your watch on a charging stand. The Nightstand mode will turn on automatically, showing date, time, and alarms.
For high-speed wireless charging and strong magnetic attachment. Great for turning your watch into a mini smart clock.
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2. Turn It Into a Dedicated Fitness Tracker
Use it only for workouts. Keep it in your gym bag and wear it when exercising so your main watch stays charged and scratch-free.
Paired with a Sport Band, it’s great for:
- Gym workouts
- Walking
- Hiking
- Swimming
This protects your main watch from damage.
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3. Use It Only for Sleep Tracking
Sleep tracking drains battery fast.
Wear your old Apple Watch at night and keep your main one charging.
Benefits:
- Better battery management
- No missed sleep data
- Less wear on your main watch
4. Give It to a Child or an Older Family Member (Safety Watch)
Older Apple Watches with GPS + Cellular are great for family safety.
With Apple’s Family Setup, it becomes:
- A GPS tracker
- Emergency SOS device
- Simple calling & messaging watch
It’s like a lightweight safety device without giving them a full smartphone. And don’t forget to put on a rugged protective case on your watch for longevity.
Spigen Rugged Armor Pro Designed for Apple Watch
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5. Use It as a Remote Control
Thanks to Apple’s tightly integrated ecosystem, your Apple Watch can control:
- Apple TV
- Music on your iPhone
- Camera shutter on your phone
Set it up as a permanent remote for your home entertainment system.
6. Turn It Into a Smart Home Controller
Repurpose your old Apple Watch as a HomeKit controller. You can remotely control devices like:
- Lights
- Smart Plugs
- Thermostat
- Home scenes
- Door locks
Place it near your door or workspace using a wall mount for quick access to home controls.
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Space-saving adhesive wall mount with cable management, easy installation, and support for all Apple Watches.
7. Use It as a Travel or Backup Apple Watch
Traveling? Take the old Apple Watch with you. Perfect for:
- Beach trips
- Hiking ( Military-Grade Shockproof Protective Strap for Men )
- Risky activities
- When your main watch is charging
If it gets lost, stolen, or damaged, your primary watch stays safe at home. It’s also useful as a backup if your main watch runs out of battery.
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8. Use It as a Pomodoro Focus Timer
Install a focus timer app and dedicate the watch to productivity.
Use it for:
- 25-minute work sessions
- Break reminders
- Focus tracking
It keeps you off your phone during productivity sessions, study timers, or work intervals while still helping you manage time.
9. Turn It Into a Weather or Stock Display
Leave it on your desk with a weather or stock complication on the watch face.
So, you can track:
- Weather
- Stocks
- Calendar
- Reminders
It becomes a mini info dashboard you can glance at all day.
10. Use It as a Desk Notification Center
Keep it on your desk to show:
- Calendar alerts
- Reminders
- Messages
- Calls
It reduces the need to constantly pick up your phone.
11. Turn It Into a Presentation Clicker
You can use your Apple Watch to control presentation slides on your Mac. It lets you change the slides and exit the presentation.
Perfect for:
- Meetings
- Teaching
- Conferences
No need to hold a clicker.
12. Use It as a Smart Home Automation Trigger
Set up shortcuts or HomeKit automations triggered from your watch, like:
- “Good Night” routine
- “Leaving Home” scene
- Turning off all lights
One tap, full house control.
Best Accessories to Repurpose an Old Apple Watch
Getting a few Apple Watch accessories can make a big difference:
- Charging stand: Turns it into a desk or bedside clock.
- Wall mount: Great for smart home control.
- Rugged case: Keep your watch safe from scratches and drops.
- Sport band/Nylon band: Perfect for gym-only use.
- Portable charger: Ideal for frequent travelers.
Limitations of Using an Old Apple Watch
Repurposing your old Apple Watch is great, but be aware of a few limits:
- Slower performance on older models
- Shorter battery life
- Some new apps may not be supported
- Missing newer health sensors (like blood oxygen or temperature)
- No latest watchOS features (like Workout Buddy, wrist flick, etc.)
Still, for basic tasks, they work surprisingly well.
When You Should Recycle or Trade It In
It might be time to let go if:
- The battery barely lasts a few hours
- The screen is cracked or unresponsive
- It no longer turns on
- Software support has completely ended
In that case, use Apple Trade In or an electronics recycling program.
Conclusion: Don’t Throw Away Your Old Apple Watch
Your old Apple Watch is far from useless. Rather than selling or recycling the watch, repurposing it gives you years of extra value. Whether you turn it into a fitness tracker, bedside clock, smart home controller, or family safety device, you can easily put it back to work.
Before you upgrade and forget about it, think second life, not storage drawer. Your wallet and the planet will both thank you.
