what to do of old android4 / Mediatek 2010/15 android devices?
 

hello

since few months i have been given old phones or tablets, mainly running android 4 or older.
problem is, due to mediatek or just because nothing is opensource, they can't be upgraded to sort of lineage 14.

im wondering, in what sort of usage could those be used?
i thought about kind of videosurveillance software using the webcam, but i dont see how to do it..

or maybe some kind of "incoming email screen"..

how would you use them?

I guess they are completely useless, most probably their batteries are dead. Otherwise you won't be able to find any software for android 4 (now we have android 12, 13, you will not find anything even for android 9).

There are still some apps being built for 4.4 kitkat.... for example you could use it for youtube with bravenewpipe although coincidentally enough, 10 days ago the maintainer gave up, didn't notice til I pulled it up to grab the link for you now.

F-Droid classic still supports kitkat too... and there are still some apps on F-Droid that'll work, but most require at least android 5 or 7.

You could still use as a digicam or webcam or wifi adapter if the OS allows such usage... or just use it as a toy....

Mp3 players.

I tried to use them as my smart home remote controller or mqtt gateway. Probably they can be used as a display for RPi or an esp32 device too.

old apk or old versions of f-droid, android sdk,emulators
 

Disabling internet access so won't get viruses...

HDMI OUt -- to tablet

temporary newer example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nui8kXvUAys
then you could also use it for projector...


EMULATION: if you put old freedos amiga UAE or c64 VICE on them to run old software or maybe even floppy disk, cd's. old cloanto sofware may work.
DIY PROJECTOR: they usually have 50 dollar or less cardboard projector.
MULTIMEDIA: paint draw music.
LAN GAMES: super tux kart has local area network capability. 1.4 for sure has multiplay.
SLide Show/tell time
Train elderly or young kids on them.
use for cat or dog camera.
local time lapse movies
local proximity or intrusion detection.


F-droid has old apk files.

take apart to use for hardware projects or replace batteries.

Same as new one imho except: 1. need battery, or possibly media 2. internet not secure/safe. 3. has older technology. May be worth alot in time.

for the moment Im able to manage with android 4 :
firefox (50)
vlc
for communication :
linphone (for SIP calls)
conversations (for xmpp messaging)