I found a few old phones from my family. II cleaned them, installed LineageOS and rooted most of them. On one I installed postmarketOS, one is still stock Android and one is lets say bricked (after installing lineagesos it stay on boot logo for ever, before that I installed lineageos and nethunter on it). One one disk encryption doesnt work for some reason.

Phones (all samsung galaxy):

  • S4
  • A5
  • A5 (bricked)
  • A5 (postmarketOS)
  • J3
  • J4+ (no encryption)
  • A31 (stock)

What can I do with them? Something like Monero node or Tor relay, but I’m already running that on old pc. For something that needs speed I have rpis (like a website). Camera security system? Tracking device?

Is it possible to run (and autorun) cli apps and/or services that can access interent, bluetooth, gps, sensors, camera, files, etc. just like on linux? I’m a programmer and I don’t like making normal android apps for a simple project.

  • CaptainBlagbirdEnglish
    10•9 months ago

    Some words of caution:

    • For anything internet related: Keep in mind that you likely are not getting any security updates anymore, even on a custom ROM.

    • Also keep in mind that each accu you have in your home rises the risk of fire slightly. Obviously it always depends on the type and age of each accu.

    Now some ideas

    • Someone on Lemmy wrote about using a phone as Home Assistant box, but I don’t remember if it was usable enough (e.g. possible to access usb/sensors/etc)

    • You might use them as sensors for Home Assistant, however the accu might not last that long, and/or having them connected to power might not be great for the accu

    • Run a media center on it (e.g. Kodi) and cast it to your TV

    • Connect some speakers and use them as Spotify boxes in different parts of the house (as it is specifically easy switching devices with Spotify. Maybe there is software for general WiFi speakers)

    • Use one to create a smart mirror that displays current information like weather etc

      • CaptainBlagbirdEnglish
        5•9 months ago

        Accumulator / Rechargeable battery

        as opposed to “regular” one-use battery

          • CaptainBlagbirdEnglish
            2•9 months ago

            In German we basically use Akku vs Batterie.
            As an engineer, I like that distinction, but in English there is no such general clear distinction in every day language (is colloquial the right translation for this?) as far as I know.

    • kindenough
      5•9 months ago

      I have a s9+ as a home assistant remote. Put 2 strong magnets in the silicon back cover and stuck it on the fridge.

      Got an automation for the charging, when the battery is at 5% adapter on, at 100% off again… the automation toggles a tradfri switch.

      • CaptainBlagbirdEnglish
        5•9 months ago

        Nice, I do something similar for my main phone, with the charger at my work place :)

        You could improve the battery life by chaning the automation to charge when below 20% and stop charging at 80%. That way the battery is always between these percentages which apparently is best for it’s health.

        Also deliberately using a slow charger for that setup is also a good idea.

        https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-improve-battery-life-tips-myths-smartphones/

        • kindenough
          2•9 months ago

          Sure thing, thanks for the advice Captain. 5 watt charger on it already.