I Repurposed My Old Android Phone as an Always-On Bedside Assistant

Why It Matters

Repurposing legacy smartphones cuts e‑waste while delivering smart‑home functionality at no extra cost, directly improving personal productivity and sleep health.

Key Takeaways

• Old phone repurposed as bedside assistant.
• OLED always‑on display serves as low‑power clock.
• Sleep tracking via Sleep as Android app.
• Google Assistant routine automates morning briefings.
• Reduces e‑waste and phone distraction.

Pulse Analysis

The surge in sustainable tech practices has turned discarded smartphones into valuable assets. Consumers increasingly seek ways to extend device lifecycles, and an old Android phone offers a ready‑made platform with built‑in sensors, Wi‑Fi, and a high‑resolution screen. By configuring it as a dedicated bedside unit, users avoid purchasing separate smart displays, thereby reducing electronic waste and saving money. This DIY approach aligns with broader circular‑economy trends, encouraging manufacturers to design phones with future repurposing in mind.

Setting up the device is straightforward but hinges on a few key optimizations. Enabling Android’s native Always‑On Display and Bedtime Mode creates a low‑glare clock that never fully powers down, while wireless charging eliminates cable clutter. Minimalist home‑screen widgets keep the interface focused on essential information, and third‑party apps like Sleep as Android provide granular sleep‑stage analysis using the phone’s accelerometer and microphone. Integration with Google Assistant routines ties the device into existing smart‑home ecosystems, allowing voice‑triggered actions such as lighting control or thermostat adjustments.

Beyond the technical merits, the personal impact is significant. Users report fewer nighttime interruptions, more consistent wake‑up times, and a clearer mental separation between work and rest. For businesses, the model illustrates a low‑cost pathway to enhance employee wellness programs by offering repurposed devices for sleep tracking and daily briefings. As more consumers adopt this practice, demand may rise for software bundles tailored to secondary‑device use, prompting app developers and OEMs to explore dedicated “second‑life” operating modes.

I repurposed my old Android phone as an always-on bedside assistant

Jack Mitchell · MakeUseOf · Published Feb 19, 2026, 2:00 PM EST

Jack has been a contributing author at MakeUseOf since June 2024, specializing in entertainment and its associated technology. He is passionate about creating engaging content that inspires and informs, having published articles and reviews in several reputable online resources since 2010, including SlashGear, BestReviews, and Ezvid Wiki.

Jack's work has taken him far and wide, from South America to Europe, South Asia, and the Far East, and his experiences continue to influence his writing. As a graduate with a BA in music technology, he is particularly interested in new developments in this field, including music hardware, music creation software, and music streaming services.

When he’s not researching and trying out the latest software and devices, Jack enjoys riding his motorcycles to far‑flung destinations, playing guitar, and creating music and vlogs using Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro on Mac.

I recently checked my Digital Wellbeing settings and was frankly shocked by how much time I waste scrolling social media, diving down Wikipedia rabbit holes, and otherwise messing about on my phone when I should either be fast asleep or getting on with my day.

It then occurred to me that the solution lay in my trusty old Pixel 5 phone, which has been sitting in my bedside drawer for the past 18 months. I would set it up as a Google Nest‑style bedside assistant and sleep tracker, with only the necessary apps installed. I could then banish my primary phone to its dock in my office, to charge overnight, without distracting me or infringing on my precious sleep.

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The hardware setup

Some simple but important tips to get it right

Any old phone on any platform can be configured to serve as a SIM‑free bedside assistant. However, a few factors made my Pixel 5 a strong choice:

• Its OLED display is perfect as an always‑on clock without being too bright at night.

• It features built‑in wireless charging for reduced cable clutter.

• It has a compact size that doesn’t dominate my bedside table.

• It demonstrates excellent standby efficiency and sips power overnight.

As an added bonus, Google’s Always‑On Display and Bedtime Mode are optimized at the system level, so I don’t need to rely on third‑party apps, although these would make a perfectly acceptable workaround if necessary.

I installed the Pixel on a vertical wireless charging pad I already owned to keep the screen glanceable, reduce heat buildup and clutter, and give it that mini‑smart display aesthetic. I then positioned it close enough to tap and within range for accurate sleep monitoring (more on that later). It’s also worth considering removing thick cases to improve charging efficiency and prevent excessive heat buildup.

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The always‑on configuration

Crucial steps to ensure your bedside assistant works as intended

The following steps turned my old brick of a phone into a useful device again, one that functions much like a Google Nest Hub, with a few extra benefits thrown in:

Step 1: Enable always‑on display

Settings → Display → Lock screen → enable Always show time and info. This gives you a minimal clock and notification icons, as well as subtle OLED‑friendly shifting that prevents screen burn‑in.

Step 2: Enable bedtime mode

Settings → Digital Wellbeing → Bedtime Mode → turn on Do Not Disturb, dim the screen, and set it to activate automatically at your preferred sleep time. This makes the phone feel like a purpose‑built bedside device instead of, well, a phone.

Step 3: Build a minimal home screen

• Google Calendar widget

• AccuWeather widget

• Google At‑a‑Glance

• A single row of essential streaming apps for music/podcasts and TV

The streaming apps mean my assistant also functions as a handset for casting to my TV, removing the need for a remote and further reducing bedside clutter.

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Smart alarm, sleep tracking, and morning routines

This is where the setup becomes genuinely useful

My first step towards reclaiming a regular sleep pattern was to install the Sleep as Android app. This uses the phone’s accelerometer and microphone to track sleep phases. Other features include a smart wake‑up window that wakes me during light sleep, and it shows my long‑term sleep trends.

Finally, I set up a Google Assistant routine (or Automation) in the Google Home app, so my phone becomes fully integrated into my morning habits. I started by setting up the voice command “Good Morning” as the trigger for the following actions:

• Read today’s calendar

• Tell me the weather

• Read the news or start a podcast/playlist

Other smart‑home features that can be activated at this stage include turning on lights or adjusting smart thermostats. As it stands, as soon as my alarm turns off, I wake during a light‑sleep phase, my day is summarized aloud, and I listen to the BBC news.

I’ve essentially created a Google Nest Hub for free

Next time you catch sight of your old handset that is gathering dust, think of the potential it offers. Mine was destined for e‑waste and is now a purpose‑built bedside assistant — not bad for old hardware that would otherwise have remained sitting in my drawer.