What to do with two old iPad Mini 2s with free T-Mobile mobile data?

by philg

We have a couple of iPad Mini 2s that were introduced in 2013, model number MF575LL/A (64 GB and T-Mobile LTE). If memory serves, these came with a free lifetime low-speed T-Mobile connection (though right now it seems not to be working; maybe it needs to be reactivated?). Checking the various “sell my stuff” web sites, these have no commercial value ($729 back in 2013, which purportedly corresponds to 947 Bidies). But they’re in great cosmetic condition and the batteries still work for a few hours at least so I’m reluctant to throw them out.

They can’t run the latest iOS, but most major apps work fine on iOS 12.5.

What is a useful application of such obsolete hardware, with particular attention to the mobile data connection. Thanks in advance for any ideas! (“idea” can include “give away to X”)

What if the idea is “throw out”? Here’s Apple’s environmental report from September 2015:

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15 thoughts on “What to do with two old iPad Mini 2s with free T-Mobile mobile data?”

  1. They make great remote video monitors for baby cams. Only WiFi needed, no cellular.

    • Thanks for this. The display is high quality. I wonder why there isn’t a standard Apple procedure for turning an obsolete iPad into a digital photo frame. If it is kept plugged into USB power then the battery health becomes irrelevant.

  3. Just throw them in the trash – your time is too precious to try to find a use for them.

    We don’t have not enough stuff, we have too much stuff. My wife tries to donate, etc, at the end of the day I just grab it and throw it away.

  5. The lion kingdom got grandfathered into free 54kbit T-Mobile data, 18 years ago, but it required continuing to pay into the voice plan. Convert them into LTE controlled robots.

  6. “If it is kept plugged into USB power then the battery health becomes irrelevant.”

    My experience is that when the batteries go you cannot run them from a charging cable.

    If you go to Apple.com and use the trade-in value calculator it will say there is no value but will give you the option to return them for recycling.

    • Thanks. The batteries do work just fine. I am only conjecturing that they don’t have the as-new capacity. Our kids have been able to use them for at least a couple of hours at a time before charging.

  7. A year ago I bought what was purported to be a brand new iPhone SE (2016 version). It was in the original box and looked brand new and works perfectly; though the battery does not last very long when talking or using data (which does not matter to me as I seldom talk on the phone and have only a $10/mo 2Gb T-mobile plan). My dad wants a smaller phone, and I’m thinking of a used iPhone SE (2016) for him. I’ve seen them as low as $40 on ebay.

  8. IIRC the T-Mobile add-on was a few hundred megabytes per month, and it was only offered as a freebie for someone who had a paying main TMo account. Cancelling the main account would forfeit the freebie.

    • The mobile data was definitely working for us initially even though we didn’t have T-Mobile accounts for any other reason.

  10. I vote for “give them to X’.

    If you need an X I have 7 kids in the house. We could make them wrestle and the last 2 standing get to decide who gets them.

    If you want to keep them, maybe remote controls or permanent security camera displays?

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