[joelres]

I have recently fully switched to a flip phone running AOSP.

After years of fiddling with OneSec and others this really has been the only solution that has worked for kicking my screen addition.

Best thing - with AI I can quickly build APKs for whatever I actually need! I build an app to give me turn by turn directions and (ironically) an app to talk to Claude w/ web search. I feel like I'm living in a world of truly personalized software.

I find the interface itself (number pad with t9, tiny screen) to be the most important part of dissuading compulsive use. Would highly recommend!

[dredmorbius]

Which phone, as someone looking at a similar move?

[joelres]

tcl flip 2 !

I got it for about $40 a year ago, but it looks a bit more expensive now ($90 on Amazon). It was a bit of a pain to root it, but I was able to follow some online guides - I've been meaning to publish a repo with exact steps. Let me know if you order! There are a couple similar phones that work well, the important thing is getting AOSP and not other firmware.

[dredmorbius]

Thanks!

I'm looking at a number of options, mostly those recommended at /r/dumbphones on Reddit. There are the Lightphone II, Mudita Kompact, and Clicks Comm there.

Elsewhere: Punkt MP02, Kyocera Dura series, Cat B22 / S22, and a few of the Nokia / HMD phones, preferably flips.

Most are AOSP, HMD/Nokia are S30+. KaiOS also turns up (an AOSP variant).

What other firmware don't you recommend?

And what was your primary motivation? Just simplifying your phone, or security /privacy / other on top of that?

[joelres]

Hi! Sorry, not great at responding to hn comments, feel free to dm!

My primary motivation is helping my anxiety by strictly limiting my inputs in most life contexts (when I'm with friends, walking around) so that I can be more present. While having a device just in case of emergency or for the convenience of scheduling to meet up, etc.

My primary security is that only about 20 people have the number (people that I'm meeting up with, I'm not very stingy about it), and I don't get any OTP to the phone. I think this is more of a feature, it feels really nice to have a feeling of disconnection and privacy when I go out. I still use my old iphone and it's number via my mac.

I've had a good time with AOSP! From my very limited understanding, KaiOS could be a bit limiting? But honestly I don't know.

Curious if you try these other options! TBH for what I want, I think having a very low price (~$50 is ideal) is a huge feature because I feel like it gives me the permission to experiment without really worrying about it. Worst case I can brick it, order another, and swap the external SIM.