Reviving Old iPads: Creative Uses, iOS Downgrades, and Smart Repurposing

Outdated iPads, particularly those constrained by older iOS versions like 9.3, don't necessarily have to become e-waste. With a bit of ingenuity and technical know-how, these devices can be repurposed into surprisingly functional gadgets.

Extending Life Through iOS Downgrades and Jailbreaking

One of the most impactful strategies involves downgrading the iOS version. For instance, an iPad 2 can be rolled back to iOS 6.1.3 or 8.4.1. These older versions often offer significantly better performance than a later, unsupported iOS, and many even support untethered jailbreaks. Downgrading and jailbreaking opens up possibilities like:

Vintage Gaming Hubs: Sideloading older games, many of which were IAP-free in their era.
Dedicated Media Players: Transforming an iPhone 5 into an iOS 6 "iPod" allows for headphone jack use and a focused music experience. An iPad 4 tethered to iOS 6 can become an excellent ebook reader, leveraging the classic "skeuomorphic" design of apps like iBooks. Tools like Legacy-iOS-Kit (available on GitHub) can facilitate this process.
Home Automation Terminals: Some older iPads can function as Home Assistant dashboards. While very old browsers might struggle, some models can run the Home Assistant app, or be connected via VNC to a server.
AirPlay Relay Servers: A jailbroken iPhone can be turned into an AirPlay relay, syncing audio across multiple devices, effectively creating a surround sound setup.

Creative Repurposing Ideas

Beyond downgrading, several other innovative uses breathe new life into these devices:

Digital Photo Frames: An old iPad can be mounted in an inexpensive stand, powered by a right-angle cable, and used to display a rotating slideshow of photos.
AI-Powered CCTV: Projects like clearcam demonstrate how an old iPad can be converted into an AI-powered security camera capable of detecting people, objects, and movement.
Streaming Devices: While the "last compatible version" download option for apps like Netflix or Plex might be diminishing for the very oldest models, many older iPads can still handle popular streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, or even Plex.
Local Media Streaming: For devices struggling with modern SSL certificates and browser compatibility, setting up a local HTTP server (such as a copyparty server) can allow them to stream audiobooks and videos directly from the browser, bypassing SSL issues entirely.

Considerations and Challenges

It's important to acknowledge potential challenges:

App Compatibility: Modern apps frequently drop support for older iOS versions, leading to difficulty in installing or running them (e.g., YouTube, Skype, Teams on first-gen iPad Airs).
SSL Certificate Issues: Older browsers and operating systems may not trust newer SSL certificates, leading to connection failures on many websites.
Activation Locks: Devices locked to a previous owner's Apple account are generally unusable without their intervention.

Despite these hurdles, with a little effort, those seemingly obsolete iPads can be transformed into valuable, dedicated tools.