Using old phone as media/music player only

[road_rascal]

I have an older 'smart' phone (Galaxy Exhibit SGH-T679) that still works great (although about 12 years old) that I would like to use as a music/podcast player when I'm traveling. The problem I'm running into is that it's so old (Android version 2.3.6) is that I can't access Google Play for the couple apps I want. I factory reset it and when it asks to add a Google account I get an error- 'A problem occurred while communicating with Google servers'. No sim card is installed and it does connect to my home wi-fi and I can use the web browser. I can manually add music to the SD card and that works fine but I would like to have the Radio Garden app and 1 podcast player. This phone has not been rooted/jail broken. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[JohnnyG]

It''s working as designed, no traveling for that one, no new apps either. No longer supported.
WiFi only.

 

[road_rascal]

It''s working as designed, no traveling for that one, no new apps either. No longer supported.
WiFi only.

That's what I figured. I'll just dump a ton of music and podcast on the SD card. Thanks.

 

[dishdude]

You should be able to sideload a podcast player and a radio app, no rooting or modifications necessary. You might have to find some older versions to work with such an old version of Android.

 

[blufeb95]

I have a Xiaomi mi2s that I used to listen to mp3s while I was walking a few years ago, because I had an Essential PH-1 and it didn't have a headphone jack and I don't really care for most of the bluetooth headphone designs an much prefer my Sony sports clip earbuds.

 

[wavinwayne]

Can you install the Amazon app store on it? That should be possible without any jailbreaking. If so, you might be able to get the apps you want that way. Good luck.

 

[blufeb95]

I think you'll have trouble finding apps that will even run on that, I think a lot of Apps require at least android 5.0 when they switched from Dalvik to Android Runtime.

 

[DemoFly]

Android 2 is end of life. You'll have to track down very old software versions yourself and sideload them. But after that, it will do what you want it to.

My only question is why? Do you have a modern phone that you use already?

 

[road_rascal]

My only question is why? Do you have a modern phone that you use already?

The old one is half the size and weight and has a headphone jack (new phone BT only). I figured it would be a good experiment and I can easily put the old phone in my pocket.

 

[dishdude]

The old one is half the size and weight and has a headphone jack (new phone BT only). I figured it would be a good experiment and I can easily put the old phone in my pocket.

There are a bunch of cheap, off brand phones with smaller screens and headphone jacks that you might want to consider.

Amazon.com

Or if money isn't a factor this would be really cool.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-nw-a306-walkman-a-series-black/6531351.p

 

[Touring5]

You don't need a "store" to get apps. The website apkmirror.com has most common apps, even multiple legacy version. There's a few websites that specialize in archiving old apps.

Download the apk file, and just click to install. You may have to go to Settings and grant your file manager app the ability to install apks from "unknown sorces". It's that simple.

 

[andrew_j]

The apps and store don’t run because OS/phone is way past life.

If you can load/import music into what is already installed that is it.

 

[zzyzzx]

My only question is why? Do you have a modern phone that you use already?

I'm already doing what the OP is looking to do. I use it around the house a lot. I do this because if something happens to it I won't care.