Knowing how to turn your iPhone into a a dumb phone is the key to unlocking your productivity and focus.
February 9, 2023
Humans have always been attracted to the idea of freedom and autonomy. So why have smartphones become our captors in a world of limitless possibilities? We are bound by the endless notifications, alerts, and distractions that come with owning a device with unlimited capabilities. The irony is that most people don’t want to be bogged down by their phones – but they can't just turn them off.
Dumbing your iPhone by stripping it down to its basic functions may be the key to your liberation and unlocking your productivity and focus. But what is a brick phone or a dumb phone? And how to make your iPhone a dumb phone?
Many may be hypnotized by all the trappings of an iPhone - its features, apps, games, and the ability to communicate with people all around the world. But it's time for you to break free from this cycle and turn your iPhone into a dumb phone.
Having a dumb phone on your person is like having a focus superpower. You will be able to hone your skills and zone in on the task at hand instead of mindlessly scrolling through habit-forming apps.
A dumb phone or brick phone is an ordinary cell phone with limited functions and no access to the internet. It can make calls, text messages, set alarms and manage your calendars – but that’s about it.
It’s basically a phone without any of the bells and whistles that come with a smartphone. Also, it's designed for people who want to interact with their iPhones as little as possible- without being totally disconnected.
From helping you break the vicious cycle of technology addiction to improving your mental health there are many reasons why you should consider reducing screen time by turning your iPhone into a dumb phone.
The benefits of owning a dumb phone or a brick phone are numerous.
Technology addiction continues to wreak havoc on about 8% of the world's population. Many of us have become so consumed with our devices that we forget to take breaks and properly connect with the people around us. Also, before we know it, it can rob us of our time and energy.
Knowing how to turn an iPhone into a dumb phone will help you ditch the popular yet addictive apps and finally break the habit of technology addiction. Then, you can focus on other important things such as your work, hobbies, relationships, and health.
Constantly checking your phone to see if you have any notifications is an unproductive habit. It only serves to hijack our attention and focus, thus making it harder for us to concentrate on work.
Dumbing your phone will help you be more productive as you won't be pulled away from what's important. You can finally use your free time to do more meaningful activities and make real progress in life.
Smartphones and their apps can be expensive, and sometimes they just don’t fit into our budget. By reducing the number of apps and subscriptions on your iPhone, you can save a significant amount of money.
Plus, with no data plan or cellular charges, you can also avoid hefty phone bills.
At the same time, if you're wondering how much is a dumb phone? The good news is that you can get a basic phone for as low as $40.
Now that you know the benefits, let's look at how to make an iPhone a dumb phone.
iPhone apps are like candy – they’re hard to resist and addictive. But, if you want to dumb your phone, it’s time to go cold turkey and build positive screen time habits.
Uninstall all apps that you don’t use. This will help you declutter your home screen and get rid of unnecessary distractions.
For iOS devices, to uninstall the devices:
The Safari browser is the gateway to all sorts of online distractions. Knowing how to make an iPhone a dumb phone also includes disabling its browser.
Here's how to disable Safari:
Built-in apps are tied to iOS and can’t be uninstalled. But, you can still disable them so you won’t be tempted to use them.
To disable a built-in app:
Ditching your tech addiction doesn’t mean you have to be completely disconnected from the world.
To make sure you can still send and receive messages, your next step is to keep the Phone and Message apps available. The aim is to get as close as possible to an old-timey phone so we have to maintain the basic apps for simple communication.
Mobile data offers frivolities like unlimited streaming and quick access to Google searches.
To turn your iPhone into a dumb phone, it's time to say bye-bye to mobile data. This also means that you no longer can enjoy the perks of iMessage. You have to return to plain-old text messages.
To remove your mobile data:
Deleting apps and disabling browsers is a great start- but you’re not completely out of the woods yet.
To keep your focus on track, try downloading a focus app. Focus apps such as Opal track how much time you spend on each app and block distractions for you.
Opal focuses on your needs by offering an array of features to help you schedule focus sessions, restrict apps and notifications, and measure productivity with real-time feedback.
Also, Opal is an innovative focus app that leaves a positive impact on our users. Users happily reported having fewer distractions and experiencing an overall improvement in their productivity and well-being.
To download Opal on your iPhone:
A whitelist is basically a list of apps that are safe for you to access. It offers an allowance for time spent on certain apps and helps you to accurately keep track of your progress.
To create your whitelist:
Cracking the ultimate focus secret with a brick phone can help you find the balance between tech use and real life.
With Opal, you can measure your focus, block distractions and automate your days with ease. Not only do you get to regain better control over your time but you’ll also stay in the know of your daily progress.
It’s time to take back control and make your iPhone a dumb phone! Try Opal for free today and unlock the ultimate focus superpower!
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