Old devices deserve a second life.
✕

Old devices deserve
a second life.

Turn outdated phones, tablets, and laptops into useful tools with lightweight apps, guided reuse flows, and compatibility-aware recommendations.

50M+
Tonnes / Year
Global e-waste generated annually. Enough to fill 1.55M trucks bumper to bumper.
17%
Formally Recycled
The other 83% is landfilled, incinerated, or exported to low-regulation markets.
$62B
Lost / Year
Recoverable gold, copper, and rare earths discarded — plus the working devices themselves.
3×
Lifespan Extended
A phone reused for 3 extra years offsets ~80kg CO₂e vs. manufacturing a replacement.
What RebootOS Does
A whole OS for
everything you'd throw out.
Pre-built App Library
Lightweight apps optimized for older hardware. Launch instantly, no install.
→
App Builder
Guided tools to build or adapt apps for outdated systems
Repurpose Ideas
Practical ways to reuse devices instead of discarding
Step-by-step Guides
From drawer to daily driver. See all

Follow step-by-step flows to transform your old device in under 3 minutes.

✓ Match
iPad → Digital Photo Frame
3 steps~2 min
→
✓ Match
Old Phone → Medication Reminder
4 steps~3 min
→
✓ Match
Any Device → Bedside Clock
2 steps~1 min
→
Reboot it.

Practical, measurable device reuse — one old phone, tablet, or laptop at a time. No new hardware required.

No account Offline-first Open source By CtrlAltReboot
Version history & improvements ▾
v1.4 · Apr '26
Added hover previews for app cards. Professional SVG icons throughout. Right-column preview clipping fixed. MediTrack pill icon corrected.
v1.3 · Mar '26
Three new micro-apps: Shopping List, Notes, Countdown Timer. Caregiver Mode toggle. Smart device-aware recommendation engine.
v1.2 · Feb '26
Richer guide steps with visual icons and tip callouts. Emergency Hub upgraded with one-tap calling. Guide overlays redesigned.
v1.1 · Jan '26
Light theme redesign with Archivo Black headlines. New impact stats. App compatibility badges. Bottom nav with SVG icons.
v1.0 · Dec '25
Initial launch: Photo Frame, MediTrack, Emergency Contacts, Bedside Clock. Basic app builder. Offline-first service worker.
Featured Micro-Apps

Six apps. One working
phone from 2014.

Pre-built tools designed to run on older hardware and software. Nothing over 50 MB. No telemetry, no ads, no account required.

Recommended for Seniors
Clock
MediTrack
Emergency Hub
Shopping List
✓ Matches your device
i
IOS 9+ · 12 MB
Shopping List
A fast, offline checklist. Sync by QR code instead of cloud.
v1.4.0 Launch →
Preview
✓
Milk
Bread
Eggs × 12
Orange juice
✓ Matches your device
i
ANDROID 5+ · 9 MB
Notes
Plain-text, local-first. Runs on anything with a keyboard, even one that's missing keys.
v2.1.0 Launch →
Preview
Doctor visit
Ask about the new medication and side effects...
Shopping ideas
Check the Saturday market for fresh produce
Wi-Fi password
HomeNetwork_5G · ••••••••
✓ Matches your device
i
ANY BROWSER · 4 MB
Countdown Timer
Big-digit, full-screen timer built for kitchens, classrooms, and workshops.
v1.0.3 Launch →
Preview
24:37
Pause
Reset
✓ Matches your device
i
IOS 10+ · 18 MB
Medication Tracker
Reminders, dosage logs, and caregiver alerts. Works without a data plan.
v0.9.4 · beta Launch →
Preview
✓
Aspirin 100mg
8:00 AM · Daily
Vitamin D
12:00 PM · Daily
Metformin 500mg
6:00 PM · Daily
✓ Matches your device
i
ANY DEVICE · 6 MB
Emergency Contacts
Lock-screen dial pad with up to six people. Turns a drawer phone into a backup lifeline.
v1.2.0 Launch →
Preview
Sarah (daughter)
+1 555-0102
Call
Dr. Chen
+1 555-0199
Call
Emergency
911
Call
✓ Matches your device
i
TABLETS · 22 MB
Photo Frame
Pull from a folder, an album, or a shared link. Subtle transitions, nothing else.
v1.6.1 Launch →
Preview
🌄
Slideshow · 8 photos · auto-advance
Install RebootOS to your home screen for offline access
App Builder

Build or Adapt

Guided tools to help you create lightweight apps or adapt existing software for outdated systems. No coding experience needed for basic use cases.

What do you want to do?
🔧
Build New App
Start from a goal — get a guided plan
🔄
Adapt Existing App
Make an app run on older software
Your Plan
    Reuse, Not Discard

    From drawer to daily driver.

    Step-by-step ideas to transform old devices into clocks, photo frames, emergency hubs, timers, and more.

    The e-waste problem is solvable
    A 5-year-old phone still has years of useful life. RebootOS gives it a purpose.
    Digital Photo Frame
    Prop up a tablet or phone, launch the Photo Frame app, keep it charged. A living gallery with no extra hardware cost.
    Tablet Phone 2 min setup
    →
    Info Kiosk / Dashboard
    Mount a screen on a wall to show weather, news, or family calendars. Old tablets become smart home displays without buying new hardware.
    Tablet Browser-based 5 min setup
    →
    Security / Baby Monitor
    Use an old phone's camera as a monitor. Apps like Alfred turn any Android or iPhone into a live-feed security camera.
    Phone Free app 10 min setup
    →
    Dedicated E-reader
    Install a lightweight reading app and leave the device in airplane mode. Better battery life, no distractions — a focused reading device.
    Tablet Phone Offline capable
    →
    Dedicated Music Player
    Load local music files or use a lightweight streaming app. A dedicated music device frees up your primary phone and extends the old one's life.
    Phone iPod replacement
    →
    Emergency Contact Hub
    Keep an old phone charged and loaded with the Emergency Hub app. Essential for seniors — one tap to call family or emergency services.
    Emergency use Phone 2 min setup
    →
    Kids Learning Device
    Wipe an old tablet, set up parental controls, and load educational apps. A dedicated learning device removes distractions and protects your main device.
    Education Tablet
    →
    How It Works

    One tap. No restarts, no accounts.

    Your old phone becomes a clock, a frame, a timer, a lifeline. Follow these setup guides to get there in minutes.

    ✓ Match
    iPad → Digital Photo Frame
    3 steps~2 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Old Phone → Medication Reminder
    4 steps~3 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Any Device → Bedside Clock
    2 steps~1 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Tablet → Emergency Contact Hub
    3 steps~2 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Old Tablet → Smart Info Kiosk
    4 steps~5 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Old Phone → Security Camera
    5 steps~10 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Shopping & Errand List
    3 steps~1 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Private Notes App
    3 steps~1 min
    →
    ✓ Match
    Countdown Timer
    2 steps~1 min
    →
    ✕
    Photo Frame
    Keep this open, brightness max, device charging
    🌅
    🌅
    Sunset at the coast
    1 / 5
    🏔️
    🏔️
    Mountain trail
    2 / 5
    🌸
    🌸
    Garden in bloom
    3 / 5
    👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
    👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
    Family gathering
    4 / 5
    🌃
    🌃
    City lights
    5 / 5
    ✕
    MediTrack Lite
    Tap circle to mark a dose as taken
    ✕
    Clock Dashboard
    ✕
    Emergency Hub
    One-tap to call
    Add Contact
    ✕
    iPad → Photo Frame
    ~2 minute setup
    Solves
    Unused device collecting dust
    Best for
    Families who want a living gallery
    Old tablet or phone
    1
    Disable auto-lock. Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never.
    2
    Max brightness. Swipe up for Control Center and drag to 100%.
    3
    Launch & prop. Open the Photo Frame app, plug in the charger, and prop the device up. Done.
    Prop it up with a stand or lean against a wall. Keep charger plugged in for permanent display.
    ✓
    Your tablet is now a Digital Photo Frame
    Plug it in — it'll show your photos all day. No extra hardware needed.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Phone → Med Reminder
    ~3 minute setup
    Solves
    Forgetting medication doses
    Best for
    Seniors and caregivers
    Medication tracker
    1
    Place the phone somewhere visible — kitchen counter, bathroom shelf.
    2
    Open MediTrack Lite below and add your medications with their times.
    3
    Tap the circle each time you take a dose to track it.
    4
    Bookmark this page to open it directly every day. Data saves automatically.
    Set your device's native alarm as a backup reminder for critical medications.
    ✓
    Your phone is now a Medication Tracker
    It will remind you at exactly the right time, every day.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Any Device → Bedside Clock
    ~1 minute setup
    Solves
    No clock visible in a room
    Best for
    Bedrooms, kitchens, workshops
    Bedside clock display
    1
    Launch Clock Dashboard and tap Fullscreen Mode.
    2
    Disable auto-lock in settings so the screen stays on. Plug in the charger beside the bed.
    Turn down screen brightness for night use. Most old devices have auto-brightness in Settings.
    ✓
    Your device is now a Bedside Clock
    Leave it plugged in — it'll show the time all night.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Tablet → Emergency Hub
    ~2 minute setup
    Solves
    Can't reach help in an emergency
    Best for
    Elderly users, lone workers
    Emergency contact hub
    1
    Place the tablet somewhere easily reachable — bedside, kitchen, living room.
    2
    Add key contacts — family, doctor, pharmacy. No login needed.
    3
    Keep it charged. Leave this page open. One tap to call anyone.
    Test each call link before an emergency — tap every contact to verify the phone number dials correctly.
    ✓
    Your device is now an Emergency Hub
    One tap to call anyone on the list. It works offline.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Old Tablet → Info Kiosk
    ~5 minute setup
    Solves
    Need a shared info display
    Best for
    Waiting rooms, home hallways
    Shared info display
    1
    Mount or prop the tablet on a wall or stand in a common area.
    2
    Open a dashboard site — try weather.com, your Google Calendar, or a family task board.
    3
    Enable Guided Access (iOS) or pin the app (Android) so it stays on that screen.
    4
    Plug it in. A perpetually-charged info hub costs nothing extra to run.
    Use kiosk mode in Chrome (Android) or Guided Access (iOS) to lock the display so no one accidentally navigates away.
    ✓
    Your tablet is now a Smart Info Kiosk
    Mount it and it'll show weather, news, and calendars all day.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Old Phone → Security Cam
    ~10 minute setup
    Solves
    No security camera on old device
    Best for
    Home users, parents, landlords
    Live camera monitor
    1
    Download Alfred (free) on both the old phone and your main phone.
    2
    Sign into the same account on both devices. The old phone becomes the camera.
    3
    Position the old phone — facing the door, baby's crib, or any area you want to monitor.
    4
    Plug it in. A permanently-powered camera is more reliable than battery-only.
    5
    View the feed live from your main phone anywhere in the world.
    Angle the camera toward the door or key area and keep it plugged in. A mounted phone at 5–6 feet height gives the best field of view.
    ✕
    Info Kiosk / Dashboard
    Turn an idle tablet into a smart home display
    1
    Mount or prop the tablet in a common area — kitchen, hallway, living room.
    2
    Open a browser dashboard — weather, Google Calendar, family task board, or news.
    3
    Lock it to that screen using Guided Access (iOS) or screen pinning (Android).
    4
    Plug in the charger. Zero extra hardware needed, zero e-waste.
    ✕
    Security / Baby Monitor
    A free camera from hardware you already own
    1
    Use the Alfred app (free) — install on the old phone and your current phone.
    2
    Old phone becomes the camera. Your current phone is the viewer.
    3
    Position, plug in, and you have a live security feed for free.
    ✕
    Dedicated E-reader
    One device, one purpose — pure reading
    1
    Install a lightweight reader — Moon+ Reader (Android) or Marvin (iOS) work on older OS versions.
    2
    Set display to warm/night mode for comfortable reading.
    3
    Airplane mode on = better battery, zero notifications. A distraction-free reading device.
    ✕
    Dedicated Music Player
    Bring your old iPod back to life
    1
    Load your local music files via iTunes or direct transfer.
    2
    Use a lightweight streaming app — Spotify Lite and YouTube Music work on older OS.
    3
    Keep it in airplane mode when using local files for extended battery life.
    ✕
    Emergency Contact Hub
    Old phone as a lifeline device
    1
    Keep an old phone charged and placed somewhere accessible — bedside table, kitchen.
    2
    Load it with the Emergency Hub app. Add family members, doctor, pharmacy.
    3
    One tap to call anyone. Works even if the SIM is active on a basic plan.
    ✕
    Kids Learning Device
    Educational, focused, and distraction-free
    1
    Factory reset the old tablet for a clean start.
    2
    Set up parental controls — Screen Time (iOS) or Family Link (Android).
    3
    Install only educational apps — Khan Academy Kids, Duolingo, Scratch Jr.
    4
    Use Guided Access or screen pinning to keep kids in approved apps only.
    ✕
    Digital Photo Frame
    Repurpose any tablet or phone
    1
    Disable auto-lock in settings so the screen stays on permanently.
    2
    Open RebootOS Photo Frame app — a fullscreen rotating slideshow starts immediately.
    3
    Prop the device up, plug in the charger. A living photo frame with zero extra cost.
    ✕
    Shopping List
    Your offline grocery & errand list.
    0 items Clear done
    ✕
    Notes
    Private notes saved on this device only.
    New Note
    ✕
    Countdown Timer
    Simple focus or reminder timer.
    25:00
    5 min
    25 min
    10 min
    60 min
    Custom:
    ✓
    Your phone is now a Security Camera
    Point it at the door — it streams live to any device on your network.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Shopping List Setup
    ~1 minute setup
    Solves
    Grocery lists stuck in your head
    Best for
    Shoppers, caregivers, families
    Offline checklist
    1
    Open Shopping List from the Apps page. No login or download needed.
    2
    Type items and tap Add. Check them off as you shop.
    3
    Clear done items with one tap when you're back home. List saves automatically.
    Works completely offline — bookmark the page so you can open it quickly at the store even without signal.
    ✓
    Your list is ready
    Add items before you leave the house — check them off at the store.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Notes App Setup
    ~1 minute setup
    Solves
    Important info scattered everywhere
    Best for
    Anyone keeping track of things
    Private local notes
    1
    Open Notes from the Apps page. All notes stay on this device only.
    2
    Tap + New Note, give it a title, and start writing.
    Tap any note to edit it. Notes are sorted newest first and auto-save on every Save tap.
    3
    Notes never leave your device — there's no server, no account, and no sync. Perfect for sensitive personal information.
    ✓
    Your Notes app is set up
    Private, offline, and always there — even without internet.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    ✕
    Countdown Timer Setup
    ~1 minute setup
    Solves
    No dedicated timer for focus or cooking
    Best for
    Students, cooks, remote workers
    Focus & reminder timer
    1
    Open Countdown Timer from the Apps page. Choose a preset or enter a custom duration.
    2
    Tap Start. The progress bar shrinks as time runs down. Tap Pause to pause, Reset to cancel.
    A short beep plays when time is up. Keep the screen on (or leave the tab open) for the alert to fire. Works offline.
    ✓
    Your Timer is ready
    Hit start and focus. It'll beep when time is up.
    Was this helpful?
    👍
    👎
    What kind of device is it?
    We'll only show apps that actually run on it.
    Smartphone
    Tablet / iPad
    Laptop
    Desktop
    What system does it run?
    This helps us check compatibility.
    How old is it roughly?
    Older devices have more limits — we'll work around them.
    Before 2016
    Very old — may be slow, low storage
    2016 – 2019
    A few years old, still capable
    2020 or newer
    Relatively recent, most things work
    What do you want to use it for?
    Pick the closest match.
    📺 Display photos or info
    💊 Health & medication reminders
    📞 Emergency contacts
    📝 Notes & shopping lists
    ⏱ Focus timer
    🔍 Not sure — show everything