Whilst I await the release of the Kompakt I have minimalised my iPhone as much as possible.
So far I have not managed to get used to a greyscale colour filter (which undeniably makes the phone less addictive), but I am trialing it at times.
The things I have done successfully are:
A white background
Notifications on for Phone and Messages only
Only 5 key (non-addictive) apps on the desktop, everything else squirrelled away
Reduced apps to 17x (see below list)
Curious what anyone else has done to dumb down their smartphone (i.e. make it less addictive)!
Apps
Useful tools (not addictive):
Calculator
Calendar
Camera
Clock
Maps
Messages
Notes
Phone
Settings
Nice to have (not addictive):
Music
Wallet
Weather
Unable to delete:
App Store - for me this is not addictive as I donāt use it
Photos - nice to have but scrolling can be addictive
Safari - would prefer to delete then have option of downloading in an emergency only
Under review:
Kindle - an ebook reader is essential for me, but I have some privacy concerns about Amazon and this can tempt me to (doom)scroll for new books; keeping for now as I have a large library [open to suggestions if anyone can suggest a better alternative]
Mail - Iāve deleted and reinstalled several times; currently on device with notifications off and Iām checking it 2-3 times a day, which stops me firing up my laptop ājust to check emailā and getting side-tracked (note Iāve spent the last 2 years removing myself from newsletters etc so get less than 10 emails a day)
I emptied my iPhone alsoā¦ I have it in my backpack with me.
I deleted all of the communication appsā¦ ( calling, messaging, mailā¦etc ) All of the social media apps and browsing ( Safari ) are also deleted.
What I have left:
Banking
Navigation
Photo
Government apps
Postal apps ( FedEx, DHL etc )
Safety camera, heating and lights apps
I removed the simā¦ and I only can use this Phone when I use my Punkt as a wifihotspot.
And also the screen is in black and white
I had left banking app on mine originally, but found I used to open it and scroll through transactions constantly so removed it.
I also used to have Punkt and used to hot spot as well; I found the MP02 used to get really warm and the battery would run down too fast to be usable long term (although did encourage me to be quick!).
So Iāve decided that truly dumbing down a smartphone isnāt possible, at least for me, too tempting to use more and more features. Iāve reverted to using my MP02 as my main phone and I will happily consider replacing it with a Kompakt or Pure 2 in time.
I now carry a minimalist 2G phone that can only call and text (2G still works in UK and seems to drain less battery than 4G), and I use a paper notepad and update my calendar on my laptop when I get home. If Iām travelling, I also carry an excellent slim camera that also happens to play music and display maps (i.e. an iPhone, with just Camera, Maps & Music available). I can also, in an emergency only, tether to the MP02 and activate an internet browser if required.
Thank you for sending those across. Yes, I tried everything that didnāt involved downloading new software and I found I was still seeking my phone for ādopamine hitsā. I therefore decided that a minimalist phone was the way to go, but I wasnāt quite ready to give up the amazing camera on the iPhone, and the maps & music come in handy when travelling.
Thanks for the feedback. One of our community members, I think it was @anon52747040 mentioned something similar. However, I think they mentioned checking the weather app too many times. (Correct me if Iām wrong @anon52747040 )
I do a version of this in lieu of purchasing other devices for now because it is easier.
I have it in grayscale, apps besides messages in folders, mobile data is turned off, so when out and about calls & texts only. My plan has 1GB per month and it comes in handy when needed for navigation to unfamiliar places, or when needing group texts when going without wifi. All of us check the weather and use the alarm on it. I do find it a slippery slope (dopamine hit!) and need to put effort into resetting myself every few months, often will end up using WhatsApp on it even though my intent is to use it on desktop.
Even though thereās a demand for dumbphones, itās tough for companies to make money from them because not enough people want one. The market is so small, and itās hard to add useful features without turning them into smartphones. But this trend might also lead to new devices that mix basic phone functions with simple, essential features- kinda like the Minimal phone is promising- but I donāt think it will deliver. Maybe Kompakt will be the standout star.
What do you think about hybrid devices? Not really a dumbphone, but dumber than a smartphone- I donāt know how else to phrase this.
Iād try them depending on functionality. It has been trial and error to figure out what I need. Like in the past year group text is the main function Iāve required out of my smartphone on a more regular basis, maps very occasionally needed, and everything else such as music & camera is mostly ānice to haveā.
I just remembered I posted this a year ago so I thought Iād post an update whilst I eagerly await delivery of my new Kompakt
The main update is that I ended up ditching the Punkt MP02. Itās a truly beautiful piece of kit and is perfect for 2G calls, basic text messages and digital detoxes. It works less well for 4G and/or hot-spotting (battery drain) and Signal (battery drain and downtime). I personally did not struggle with any other software limitations or glitches, but overall found it too limiting (except for several 30-day digital detoxes).
So I have been running a dumbed-down iPhone since last year and intend to carry on doing so once my Kompakt arrives, although I expect to either leave it at home or keep it in my backpack (switched off) for when I need it.
The things I have now done successfully are:
A black background, dark mode and greyscale to make it less attractive.
Notifications on for Phone, Messages and Calendar only.
Only 6 key (non-addictive) apps on the desktop, everything else squirrelled away.
Reduced apps to 19x (see below list).
Apps
Useful tools (not addictive):
Calculator
Calendar (synced with my household which is very useful)
Camera
Files
Find My
Maps
Music
Passwords
Phone
Settings
Wallet (never use so thinking of ditching, but useful as a backup)
Weather
Can be slightly addictive, but I have made peace with it so monitor my use:
Messages (I have silenced notifications on some groups)
Email (no notifications and manually check 3-4 times a day)
Photos
Removed via Screen Time, so could be reinstated in emergencies:
App Store
Safari
Third party apps:
Parking app (surprisingly useful when the card machines often break locally, as I donāt carry cash!)
I canāt remove the following as I have the iPhone paired with a dumbed-down Apple Watch (used for time/calendar/timers/fitness tracking only):
Very similar setup to me, but I also removed my fitness tracking. Still do same amount of exercise but no longer track addictive but not entirely relevant metrics
I tried doing this when I bought the Mudita Moment. Worked wonderfully over the summer holiday, but the second I was back at my desk for work moving around quickly became an infrequent event! The exercise tracking function in particular keeps me honest on workdays.
Agree the metrics can be addictive. For now, the trade-off is worth it as it gets me moving, but I continue my search for a minimalist activity tracker that encourages mindful activity
This is very true for sleep tracking apps. I wrote an article about it after a few of my friends mentioned how low-key āobsessedā they became with tracking and optimizing their sleep so they get more DEEP SLEEP and less disruption.
