I'm looking for an all-round dumb phone that is basic enough to keep me off social media, the internet and temptation in general, but one where I won't get lost if I end up going somewhere (so has foundational items like maps, potentially WhatsApp just in case but not a big deal).
My budget is around $200 but I'm not a connoisseur of dumb phones to know enough about which one is the best bet at the moment.
Hopefully that makes sense but if I should clarify/expand on anything, happy to do so.
A fair bit outside of my price range, but on the right track. Like literally flip phone with maps is what I'm picturing with that basic stuff
Nokia 3210?
Will have a look, cheers
I was looking for a dumb phone for quite a while but couldn't find anything. My issue was solved once I deleted/disabled just about all google, social media and other unnecessary apps and dumbed down my existing mobile phone.
I've tried this but the pull is too strong. It's a discipline thing for sure, but I think just knowing my phone wouldn't be a smart phone (S24 Ultra) would kill the temptation until that issue/pull is just gone from the brain.
Because I'll do all of that and then be like "hmm, this train ride could use something… Balatro it is" and there we go on a tailspin to other apps
At the $200 price point, I'd get a second hand Pixel phone and install a custom ROM. I would then remove every app except for the things you want (Messages, Phone, Maps, Calculator etc) and then install a minimal launcher so you're focused on the apps you want to use.
Interesting… so some tinkering involved. Would be good to have the option for those distracting apps to just be locked and impossible to install if that's a possibility.
Will explore this option as well.
Depends on the ROM but LineageOS doesn't have Google Play installed by default, you have to install it separately (which requires a computer)
Settings - Apps - Facebook - Uninstall
Settings - Apps - Instagram - Uninstall
Settings - Apps - TikTok - Uninstall
Settings - Apps - YouTube - Uninstall
Dumb phones don't have GPS.
Dumb phones don't run Android.
Dumb phones don't have maps and apps.
Dumb phones don't have big screens.
Dumb phones do have a camera.
Best of luck.
I think your best bet is to turn on parental mode, and lock up those few apps by someone you trust (partner, parents, etc)
You'll still have a functional phone, with all the NFC payment, GPS goodness, without those apps disturbing you.
I have made my pixel a dumb phone after following this video and then the same guys guide on his website here.
Before you buy a stand alone phone with none of the benefits would recommend having a go at it. Takes a couple of hours to get your head around but is pretty much all free. I think I bought one app for about $8, didn't need to but decided to for some better customisation.
Has made a big difference for me in breaking the habits of checking stuff, reducing notifications and still ensuring my phone is useful for photos, music, life!
Still not perfect, but much better. Goodluck!
Really interesting video! I did see a comment though that raised a fair point in:
"Of the apps recommended, especially free
ones, I would check their privacy policy. A
developer probably isn't going to push out a
free app unless their is some data gathering on
the backend."
I know our data is all out there anyway, but I had the zen app installed and its permission requests (like 4 of them) do seem rather invasive…
That's the only caveat but I like how it gets laid out with Olauncher
I forgot the brand but there was this one on reviews on YouTube where it had a grey scale screen and all you could do is phone, calculator, alarm etc… all the basic stuff. No Instagram, games etc.
But this is similar, you want something like this?
https://www.thelightphone.com/shop/products/light-phone-iii