Your old iPad or Android tablet can be your new smart home panel - here's how

📰 ZDNet

Breathe new life into old tablets by converting them into smart home control panels, enhancing home automation and convenience

beginner Published 18 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Gather your old iPad or Android tablet and charge it
Install a smart home control app, such as SmartThings or Home Assistant, on the tablet
Configure the app to connect to your smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras
Mount the tablet on a wall or place it in a central location, such as a living room or kitchen
Test and customize the control panel to control your smart home devices seamlessly

Who Needs to Know This

Home owners and DIY enthusiasts can benefit from this hack to create a centralized control panel for their smart devices, making it easier to manage and automate their living space

Key Insight

💡 Repurposing old tablets as smart home control panels can enhance home automation, reduce clutter, and save money