[crazynick4]

> I tried turning my smartphone into a "dumbphone" and using it less, but I honestly lacked the self-control to put the stupid thing down

Did you remove the browsers and app store as well? I got rid of everything except for phone/texting, Slack (for work), and non-bingy convenience apps like Maps/Yelp/etc. On Android, it can be done with the adb shell without rooting, even the 'uninstallable' apps like Google search and the Samsung browser. Not sure about Apple.

I tried this before without getting rid of the Play Store and found that I would just cheat and download FF Focus when I felt like binging and then deleting it again when I was done. Now if I think I need a new app, I actually have to go on my laptop, download the apk, and move it to my phone to install it. It's not foolproof but it's enough extra steps to where I don't act on it on impulse.

It's worked really well and I don't binge like I used to . I still have some compulsive phone-checking habits but it's way less time consuming than compulsive-random-article-reading/scrolling. And I also get to keep the nicer benefits like the good camera and the large screen for when I need a GPS.

[boznz]

Just change your plan to have no data (hint the cheapest pay and go) turn off mobile data and wifi and voila a dumb phone works with my old sony.

[HNLurker2]

Or just use third party app to block and let only a few: -https://offtime.es

[perlgod]

I should try something like that. Honestly just having the device in eyesight triggers some kind of latent mental FOMO. Removing the option entirely has worked well for me so far.

I still keep an old iPhone for when I know I'll need an Uber or something, but the smartphone isn't a part of my daily life anymore.

[crazynick4]

If I could go with a flip phone I gladly would, but I do need to have Slack around for when I'm on call for work. I suppose I could switch to a flip phone for when I'm off call. You're giving me ideas here.

[leesalminen]

You could also use Slack’s API + Twilio to trigger a SMS to send when a post to #app-outage happens. I’ve been playing with this myself.

[ip26]

I try that but then I wind up needing Chrome for some legitimate purpose or another.

[paulcarroty]

> Did you remove the browsers and app store as well?

It's possible with adb or root, but buy a $500-$800 device for removing basic apps? Failed logic IMHO.

> Not sure about Apple.

You can't.

[Double_a_92]

You can get a decent smartphone for under 200$.

[sincarne]

No, but you can use the Restrictions control pane to block Safari.

[mikelward]

Great idea! I guess that way you don't get app updates tho?

[crazynick4]

The apps you'd have to uninstall/reinstall manually for updated versions but I did still get a few official Samsung updates come through recently so I guess those aren't tied to the Play Store. I think at least one of those reinstalled some of the apps I had removed but other than that it went ok.