https://www.reddit.com/r/minimalism/comments/1i7o7ik/dumb_ish_phone/
created by DisastrousLight7893 on 22/01/2025 at 22:40 UTC
10 upvotes, 14 top-level comments (showing 14)
Hi, I’m considering swapping my iPhone for a dumb phone as really keen to limit my time and reliance on various apps. I want to have my banking app and video calling/whatsapp to keep in touch with family who live far away, but can’t find a dumb phone that supports these. Any recommendations, please? Or tips on limiting/converting smartphones to this if this doesn’t exist!
Comment by Bee_221B at 22/01/2025 at 22:46 UTC
37 upvotes, 1 direct replies
delete everything but those apps, don't redownload the ones you want to stay away from.
Don't buy more to try and have less.
Comment by kk0444 at 22/01/2025 at 22:57 UTC
16 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Don’t buy a new thing to replace what you have already. Just dumb down the phone you have. Remove those apps, silence others. Yes there are apps that make your screen more minimal. Make a spot where your phone lives and when home try to treat it like a home phone- go to it, rather than keep it on you.
I use an app called one sec to block a number of apps just by making me wait 10 seconds. It helps!
Comment by ObfuscateAbility45 at 22/01/2025 at 22:59 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
turn off all notifications for the time suck apps (reddit included) and hide them away in a folder on the last page of apps. Or delete them
Comment by OkComedian3894 at 23/01/2025 at 00:34 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Try switching to just using safari for most apps. All my social media consumption dropped by 90%. An added bonus is your battery life goes waaaay up.
Comment by wildclouds at 23/01/2025 at 02:37 UTC
4 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Buying special "dumb phones" is just falling victim to the same idea that purchasing more products will fix your problems.
You can make your current phone more 'dumb' for free.
Comment by TheDumpsterPhoenix at 22/01/2025 at 22:56 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Just get an android phone and install a minimalist launcher. It saved me a TON of time and was way cheaper than buying a new phone
Comment by The-DisreputableDog at 22/01/2025 at 22:43 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Comment by HandsofTheWill at 22/01/2025 at 22:59 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I've been using the app ScreenZen lately which has helped a lot. Unfortunately a lot of my screen time is now from my PC but it is progress lol.
Comment by CafeRoaster at 23/01/2025 at 03:10 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Light Phone, Mudita, and Punkt are the best ones on the market.
Comment by plaid-knight at 23/01/2025 at 09:39 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Have you looked into assistive access for your iPhone? It’s built in.
Apple user guide: https://support.apple.com/en-vn/guide/assistive-access-iphone/welcome/ios
Comment by Kementarii at 22/01/2025 at 23:12 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
For my elderly mother, I got a small tablet, and loaded only a couple of apps, and hid all the rest. Or, a Laptop would work for banking and whatsapp.
Comment by knokno at 23/01/2025 at 16:15 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don't wanna copy paste my messages just go to my profile and check some last posts.
tl;dr parental controls on any iPhone but u don't know the code
Comment by sostokedrightnow at 24/01/2025 at 21:13 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I dumbed down my smartphone, by deleting social media, removing bloatware, setting times for do not disturb and focus modes. It is always on silent / vibrate if I am expecting a call.
It is 5 years old and I will probably replace it with either the Nothing Phone or Fairphone when it finally gives up the go.
I have replaced all the paper in my life for online productivity tools and I use a Kindle Scribe instead of a tablet for notes and books this allows me to pursue my passion for reading, complete my study and have less stuff.
Phones and apps can be useful. I can't see a future without this type of tech, it really does help me live a life of less noise because it has multiple uses.
Comment by whatdoidonowdamnit at 23/01/2025 at 00:04 UTC
-1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Get one of the many phones designed for kids and then learn how to use the texting for your bank. There should be a number and a list of codes to text for various information available, plus you can always call the automated number for information