Turn your old phones into speakers for the same playlist
With an Explore-mode transfer that contains an audio playlist, an old smartphone in a drawer, a tablet you barely use, or a former laptop can become a speaker again. FileVert synchronized playback plays the same playlist at the same moment on all those devices.
Context
An old smartphone in a drawer, a tablet that sits unused: each can become a speaker again. With FileVert synchronized playback (Explore transfer + playlist), several devices play the same track at the same instant. Concrete reuse, no new purchase.
Practical guide
Turn your old phones into speakers in 7 steps
From drawer to speaker, without installing an app
Prepare your playlist
Gather your audio files (MP3, WAV, FLAC, m4a, ogg) in a folder. To set the playback order, add an m3u file: the player detects it automatically. Tip: MP3 files at 192 or 256 kbps are enough for phone speakers and load faster on old devices.
Send it to yourself
On filevert.fr, drop your files. Explore mode is on by default: leave it. Copy the link and send it to yourself by message or email, to open it easily on each device. Free: up to 2 GB per send, no registration, link valid for 2 days.
Open the link on each device
Open the same link in the browser of each phone, tablet or computer. The playlist displays as usual. Tip: plug old devices into power and connect them to the same Wi-Fi. Disable auto-sleep if possible.
Start synchronized playback
On the device you keep in hand, tap 'Synchronized playback'. The screen shows 'You lead playback' and the number of listening devices. This device becomes the remote: full list, play, pause, next track.
Join from other devices
On each other device, a banner appears: 'Synchronized playback in progress · N listening'. Tap 'Join'. The device shows 'Synchronizing…' while loading tracks, then starts exactly at the current position. Why a gesture? Browsers only allow a site to play sound after a user gesture.
Adjust each device's output
Tap the output icon at the top of the screen: Standard for the device's speaker; Bluetooth if the device is connected to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, which adds a slight delay; Custom to adjust with the slider. The setting is saved on the device.
Control, then stop
Change track or pause from the leading device: all follow. To stop on a device, tap 'Leave': it returns to normal playback, at the same position.
Astuces
Astuces pour un meilleur son
Plug old devices into power: the screen can stay off, playback continues.
Spread them around the house rather than side by side: each device covers its area.
Connect an old phone to a Bluetooth speaker or stereo for more power.
Slight echo? Adjust the output slider of the concerned device.
With an account, save each speaker's latency settings.
Keep the old device updated as much as possible.
Interface
Ce que vous voyez à l'écran
| Message | Où | Ce qu'il signifie |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronized playback | Button, no one listening | You can start a shared listening |
| Synchronized playback in progress | Banner | Listening in progress, tap 'Join' |
| Synchronizing… | Joining device | Loading tracks |
| You lead playback | Main device | You control playback for all |
| You follow | Other devices | Device follows playback |
| Resuming… | Other devices | 10 s to return |
| Playback ended | Other devices | Restart if needed |
Usages
Situations typiques
At home. A tablet in the kitchen, an old smartphone in the bathroom.
In the garden. Two old phones at the edges.
With family. Kids reclaim old devices.
Impact
Reuse, the real sober gesture
Most of a digital device's footprint comes from its manufacturing, not its use. Reusing a phone sleeping in a drawer avoids buying another speaker.
Troubleshooting
If something goes wrong
A device makes no sound.
Check that you tapped 'Join' and that the volume is up. On iPhone, check silent mode.
You hear an echo.
Choose 'Bluetooth' or adjust the slider.
A device drifted.
It realigns itself. Otherwise, reload the page.
The leading device closed.
Reopen it within 10 seconds.
Take your old phones out of the drawer.
Turn them into speakers to listen together.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions