How Can I Make an Old Rotary Phone Work with Bluetooth?
Asked by TechyNerd42
I'm really inspired by this video I saw where someone turned a traditional landline phone into a Bluetooth device. When she gets a call, it rings on the landline, and she can even use Siri or Google Assistant with the press of a button. I've always wanted an antique rotary phone in my home, but I want it to serve a purpose instead of just sitting there. Does anyone know how I could accomplish this or if there are any DIY methods out there?
Answers
Yeah, you can definitely build something like this! There are some technical challenges, like needing a ringer generator and managing the SLIC, but it's not impossible for DIY. I’ve seen projects on GitHub that explain how to wire traditional phones in parallel while connecting them to a cell service. It might cost more than just buying a simple device, but it can be a fun project if you enjoy getting hands-on.
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Are you talking about something like the "Cell2Jack" device that can convert cell calls to a landline? It’s pretty affordable on Amazon, but it sounds like you’re looking for a DIY approach. Just a heads up, a lot of those TikTok electronic DIY projects can be a bit misleading. Still, if you’re seriously into making it yourself, there might be options out there.
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I took a different route and used an adapter to connect my phone to a cordless base station. I haven't tried it with an old rotary phone yet, but I've always been curious about whether an old-school phone can handle it since it needs a stronger signal to ring.
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