If you just upgraded to a Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox series X, or Xbox series S., you may be wondering if your existing console will just do that to sit gather dust in a corner. Do you really go back to it that often? If the answer is probably no, then you have a few different options when it comes to what to do with it.
One option, of course, is to just keep playing: you may have built up a huge collection of titles and there will be new releases for the latest generation of machines for a while. If you don’t want to move your games on your new console, you can still get hours and hours of fun out of the old one.
If you decide you’re going to be playing most or all of your games on your new console in the future, then there really are two main options for your old PS4 or Xbox One: use the other apps available for the hardware, or say goodbye by offer it for sale, donate it to charity, or recycle it.
If you have any more ideas on how to use your old console, we’d love to hear them – leave them in the comments below.
Turn it into a media center
If you’re not going to continue gaming with your old PS4 or Xbox One, but still want to stick with it, the obvious alternative use as a media center is: both the Sony and Microsoft consoles support a ton of video and music apps that you can continue to use while keeping the gaming machine connected to a TV or monitor.
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Some of the movie and TV show apps you can install on any of these consoles are Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Disney Plus, and HBO Max. Even Apple TV has now made its way to the PS4 and Xbox One, so you can queue up any digital media you bought from Apple and the Apple TV Plus streaming service. On the music side, there are Spotify and Pandora on both consoles and SoundCloud on Xbox One.
Plex is another option, the versatile app that lets you watch movies, TV shows, and music stored in digital form from a computer on your local network straight to your PS4 or Xbox One. If you have a ton of digital content on a Windows or macOS machine somewhere in the house, you can use Plex to stream it to your old game console with minimal fuss.
All of these apps are easy and quick to install and can be accessed through the respective app stores on the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox One. vary from app to app, but once you’re signed in and set up, you can start watching almost immediately.
Also, don’t forget the PS4 and Xbox One’s disc playback capability – you can run Blu-rays, DVDs, and even CDs with the consoles, depending on the machine. The PS4 can play Blu-rays and DVDs, but not CDs; the Xbox One consoles (with the obvious exception of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition) can play Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs. Just insert the disc to begin.
There is an additional option if you have an Xbox One and a Windows computer on your home network elsewhere. Grab the Wireless display app installed on your Xbox console, and as long as you are on the same network, you should be able to use the console as a wireless, second screen for your PC: you can beam over photos, websites, movies, games or whatever you want want. In Windows, open Settings and go to Appliances, Bluetooth and other devices, and Add Bluetooth or another device to make the connection.
Sell or donate it
If you don’t continue to play on your old console or use it as a media center, you can choose to sell or donate it. By donating you get a hazy glow but less money: you don’t have to search long to find a niece, nephew, neighbor, or a friend who likes to take your PS4 or Xbox One (and all accompanying games) off your hands.
If you can’t find anyone, numerous charities and institutions (such as hospitals and youth centers) will take an old PS4 or Xbox One off your hands, including those of Charity Nerds and Reaching gamers– but always contact them in advance to check. Most charities that accept donations must be open to the donation.
You may want to hold onto your PS4 or Xbox controllers – they can be used with the newer consoles, or with your smartphone, or with a Windows computer. If you’re going to game elsewhere, it may be worth holding onto your controller and repurposing it for use on another device.
In terms of sales, the most convenient option is to trade in your console, although you will probably get less money for it. From retailers such as GameStop to online outfits such as BuyBackWorld, you have a few spots to choose from – be sure to look up the instructions to completely reset and wipe your console before you part with it.
Direct selling sites such as eBay or Craigslist are more effort, but will usually make you more money. If you are new to selling relatively expensive gadgets on these sites, checking out the help pages before you start: take lots of photos, be detailed in your listings, and get help from a more experienced seller if possible.
Whatever you do, don’t just throw your console in the trash. Even broken devices make money on eBay (they’re likely to be repaired or used for parts), and Best Buy and Microsoft are just two of the many options for recycling your PS4 or Xbox One. Once you’ve disposed of your old hardware responsibly, you can get the most out of gaming on your new console.