By Nick Gelling
Product Test Journalist | Kaipūrongo Whakamātautau Hautaonga
You don’t need to toss your tech just because it’s stopped getting security updates. End of support doesn’t always mean end of life. Here’s how to repurpose an old device.
A key factor in the overall lifespan of a tech product is how long it remains supported with software updates.
As devices age, it’s important to keep them up to date. Otherwise, they become less secure each day as new vulnerabilities and viruses arise.
But what happens when the manufacturer stops providing those updates?
Here are our suggestions for things you could do with old tech.
Option 1: Repurpose your device
Do you have an older tablet or phone that is still in working order but you don’t use anymore? If you lock it down so it can only run specific apps, you can keep using it safely for a particular task, such as:
a screen for TV and movie streaming
an e-reader
a recipe library
a notepad or calendar for the family.
You’ll want to make the device as secure as possible so none of your private information can be obtained if it does get compromised. Follow these steps to lock down your device:
Remove credit card and personal information, such as your name, phone number and address, from the device’s account.
Log out of all non-essential accounts and uninstall any apps you won’t use anymore. That way, if your device does get hacked or infected with a virus, it won’t affect your other accounts.
Set parental controls for the device and account so no purchases can be made. You can also set alerts for when particular activities occur, such as new sign-ins. This can give you a heads-up if your device is being attacked.
Create a dummy account for your device, using an alias and containing the minimum information needed for the account.
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Option 2: Install a new operating system
Another way to give new life to outdated tech is to stop using the software it came with. For computers and mobile devices, you can replace the original operating system (OS). For TVs, you can use an external streaming device to take over some of the TV’s functionality.
Computers: laptops and desktops
Got a Windows 10 computer? Microsoft will no longer update it unless you’ve opted in to its extended security updates program.
Even then, the extra security will only run until October this year. It’s time to replace Windows 10!
Unfortunately, installing a new OS is not for the faint of heart. If you’re not tech savvy, you may want to look at other solutions or hire someone to do it for you. Some systems are harder to replace than others and have few alternatives, but it’s always possible with enough know-how.
Alternative systems include:
ChromeOS Flex
Chromebooks run on ChromeOS. Flex is an alternate version of this operating system that looks and functions in much the same way. It’s lightweight and cloud based, making it perfect for older computers that don’t have much processing grunt.
Linux
Linux is the grandparent of operating systems. It’s been around for decades and is the base for systems such as Ubuntu, Mint and Fedora. Despite their common ancestor, these systems all offer different features and customisations.
A bespoke OS
There are many custom operating systems available. Some are even developed here in Aotearoa New Zealand, such as InterfaceOS – a super-lightweight operating system with basic functions built in. Support for these systems can vary because the companies developing them are small.
For more about your options for replacing Windows 10 in particular, see our in-depth reporting on the Windows 10 shutdown.
How to install a new OS
To install an OS, you’ll need a USB drive with a capacity of at least 8GB. Installation can be complex, but it usually follows a few standard steps:
Download the OS’s image file from its website. Make sure you’re on the genuine OS creator site first!
Load the image onto the USB drive using a flashing tool, such as balenaEtcher or Rufus. This will install the OS image onto the drive.
Plug the USB into the laptop you’re installing the new OS on.
Start the laptop and enter boot mode (often by pressing the F10 key during start-up, but if that doesn’t work, google the instructions for your model).
Follow the installations on the screen.
Phones and tablets
Replacing the operating system on your phone or tablet involves unlocking your device in a process called ‘rooting’. You then connect your device to a computer or USB drive to load the new OS.
Before trying to install a new mobile OS, check the system is compatible with your phone or tablet. This will often be determined by your device’s hardware.
Televisions: when your smart TV loses its smarts
If your TV no longer supports the streaming apps you want, you can bypass its smart features using an external streaming device, such as:
Google TV Streamer
Apple TV
Roku.
These devices usually have longer support lives than your TV’s smart features. And, even if they do become obsolete, they’re far easier and cheaper to replace than a whole TV.
You can learn more in our guide to streaming devices.
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Is your streaming service wasted on a TV with a grainy picture and muddy audio? We can help with that, too. Check out our reviews of 43 TVs to find one that does your favourite shows justice.
Option 3: Recycle your device
If there’s no other option, recycling is the responsible way to finally dispose of tech. Any components that can be reused or repurposed are removed, ensuring minimal waste is sent to landfill.
Before you recycle though, take the following steps.
Back up your data
You don’t want to lose all those photos and important documents.
There are 2 ways to do this:
Cloud backup is the easiest way to back up your data and lets you access it from anywhere. The most common options are Google Drive and Apple iCloud.
Physical backup – that is, saving your data to a flash drive or portable hard drive – lets you keep your information safely tucked away at home.
Wipe your data
Recyclers may claim to delete your data for you, but it’s safest to do it yourself.
To really make sure your data is wiped, you should overwrite it. Overwriting saves new data over your old data, ensuring it’s gone for good. You can overwrite using tools like Killdisk (which has a free version) and Eraser. There are also mobile versions, such as Shreddit on Android and DataShredder on iOS.
If your device can’t be overwritten, just remove all your accounts and then delete all storage.
Finally, don’t forget to factory reset the device as the last step. You can do this from your Settings menu.
Where to recycle tech
Your kerbside recycling doesn’t cover electronics. You need to use an e-waste recycling service, like those offered by:
Noel Leeming stores
TechCollect NZ
Sustainability Trust (Wellington)
Echo – formerly known as Computer Recycling (Auckland and Wellington)
Abilities Group (Auckland)
E-cycle (Christchurch)
Phoenix Recycling Group
Check your local council website for a service near you.
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