Many users lean towards using dumb phones, discovering the pleasures of a less connected world. In an era obsessed with intelligent equipment, it is surprising how many people decide to eliminate them.
Dumb phones are making a resurgence for a straightforward reason: to allow many users to regain their independence from technology. So, if you are one of those users looking to become independent and want a fundamental relationship with your cell phone, this article is for you! Here, we tell you how to do it in simple steps.
First of all, what is a “dumb phone”?
Have you ever heard of a “dumb phone”? It is a mobile device with limited functions compared to intelligent cell phones. In other words, it offers a more uncomplicated, and therefore less addictive, user experience than advanced models.
On average, a person can spend more than 7 hours a day swiping the touch screen, generating a harmful psychological effect. Many studies demonstrate a possible relationship between cell phone use and the development of ADHD, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
As you can see, the dumb phone prioritizes the essential operations of a cell phone, allowing you to make calls and send text messages. On the contrary, they eliminate any temptation from social platforms, which represent more than 50% of addictions.
Smart devices vs. Dumb Phones
A smart device, without a doubt, is a powerful pocket tool that offers functions with scope that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. For its part, it allows many users to:
- Work from anywhere.
- Enjoy series and movies.
- Listen to the music they want.
- Buy online.
- Pay bills.
- Find the ideal partner.
- Exercise.
- Plan trips and meetings.
- Locate addresses.
These are just some of the infinite options possible with a Smartphone. Of course, they are also helpful in communicating at a distance (that was the main reason for their creation), which is the only function that many users would like to return to.
In this sense, many users recognize that they spend more than 95% of their conscious time checking their smartphones. The bad thing about it is that this time does not contribute positively to their intellectual or spiritual development.
In other words, it is a tool that has freed us from going to specific places to do several activities. It has also created dependency and slavery after its possibilities.
Transform your smartphone into a dumb phone: How to do it in 5 steps
Now, buying a dumb phone to cope with mobile technology dependence is relatively inexpensive. However, you can also “create” it on your own. Here, we tell you in just five steps how to transform your smart device into a completely basic one.
Thoroughly clean your smartphone
Are you one of those who spend much time on your cell phone? Do you waste time swiping the screen searching for an application among dozens you have downloaded and accumulated over time? Put an end to that, and it’s time to purge your device thoroughly. This process is straightforward!
On Apple phones, you have to press on each icon; once it shakes and an X appears in the corner, Press until deleted. Please repeat this step until you remove all the applications that you don’t even remember why you installed them.
It is much faster on Android devices since it is possible to delete all applications in the same operation. In this case, you have to enter and do the following:
- Visit the Google Play Store and display the menu.
- Subsequently, click on the “My apps and games” option, then select the “Installed” tab, and finally, click on “Storage.”
- Once done, a list of applications will be displayed with a small box next to it. Mark the ones you want and click on the “Vacate” option.
Now, what should you do with music apps and maps? It is probably the most common question when making a dumb phone. Are those apps that may be useful at another time removed? Indeed, yes… but no! We explain to you:
The idea of this conversion is that these applications have no place when recreating a dumb phone. However, if you consider using them later, you can download maps of areas they frequent, music to listen to offline, etc.
Disable built-in apps
If you want, some applications are included in the phone by default. Examples are email and the browser. Eliminating these is more complicated, but it is not impossible.
The process for iPhone devices is more straightforward. To do this, you have to access the “Settings” followed by the “General” option and then “Restrictions.” In this sense, you must enter the password to recover them later. Finally, turn off everything you don’t wish to that is present in the list.
On the other hand, from an Android device, you must carry out the following steps:
- From the mobile phone’s Settings, visit the “Apps and notifications” option, followed by “See all apps.”
- Once done, a general list will open with all the options that can be deactivated.
- Finally, turn them off one by one.
We recommend storing what you think you will use as long as you do not have Internet connectivity. It is the best way to save on mobile data rates.
Keep basic apps like phone and message
Specific built-in applications, such as phone and text messages, cannot be disabled. However, it would be best to keep precisely those tools on the new Dumb Phone.
Likewise, we recommend placing both applications at the start of the mobile screen so you can have an old-fashioned phone. This way, the device will only be used to talk and send messages.
What do you do with the apps that you can’t uninstall? It’s simple; you have to hide them inside a folder (in the case of iPhone devices) or remove them from view (in Android devices). The idea of recreating a primary cell phone is to have a home screen that is as clean as possible.
Turn off notifications
It is no secret that notifications are the biggest temptation on mobile phones; everyone knows them. So, on your dumb phone, don’t think twice and disable them all immediately. By referring to “all,” the aim is to ensure that the team cannot get “in contact” in any way.
Keep in mind that the objective is to recreate an old phone that is only used to receive/send calls and text messages.
Disable the internet altogether: No more mobile data or Wi-Fi networks
It is essential since a smartphone is distinguished by having permanent Internet connectivity. It is the leading cause of the spread of these devices in society.
Thus, it is the most challenging measure: eliminating all sophisticated data-receiving methods and relying only on rudimentary technology.
Remember to delete the iMessage app if you have an Apple device. This way, you will only receive simple text messages without emojis or anything like that. It would be best if you deactivated this function in the mobile device’s Settings menu to do this. Likewise, you must access the “cellular” option and turn off the “mobile data” button.
If your device is Android, the procedure is similar; you have to follow the following instructions:
- Access “Settings”.
- Select the “Networks & Internet” option.
- Finally, click where it says “Mobile network” and turn off the “Mobile data” function.
On the other hand, turning off Wi-Fi is just as simple. On Apple devices, go to settings, select the “Wi-Fi” option, and slide the green button to gray. You must access “Networks & Internet” on Android and slide the button to turn off the function.
But is it vital to deactivate the data rate and the Wi-Fi connection? Yes, turning off all Internet connectivity allows your phone to call, send, or receive texts only.
Although it is a relatively simple process, it is a traumatic decision for any user. Could you survive with a dumb phone?
