iPhone dumbphone

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Technical approach & variations

  • Core hack: supervise the iPhone with Apple Configurator so you can hard-disable the App Store, Safari, and non‑essential apps; some settings only “stick” on supervised devices.
  • Lockdown Mode and configuration profiles can coexist by toggling Lockdown off to install a profile, then back on.
  • Some commenters explore multi‑profile/blueprint ideas (e.g., “border crossing” vs “normal”) but note you still need a laptop cable each time.
  • Clarifications and contradictions around disabling App Store: some say updates continue, others say kids’ iPads stop updating; behavior seems context‑dependent and unclear.
  • Concerns raised about wiping the phone to enable supervision: risk of locking yourself out of MFA‑protected accounts, and requirement for macOS.

Alternatives & tools (iOS and Android)

  • Many argue Screen Time with a passcode held by a partner/friend is enough; can disable Safari/App Store, set downtime, and use “Always allowed” apps.
  • Third‑party iOS tools mentioned: Opal, Clearspace, Foqos, Burnout Buddy, Freedom, Jomo, “Dumb Phone” launcher, Aro box, and various time‑lock schemes.
  • Android options: ADB to remove Play Store/browser, minimal launchers (Olauncher), DNS blocking (NextDNS, andoff/limitphone), custom ROMs (LineageOS + microG), and FOSS tools like OwnDroid, Quietude.
  • Some people use two devices: a locked‑down daily phone plus a “full” phone or tablet kept in a drawer for specific tasks.

Perceived benefits

  • Reported gains: 1–2 fewer hours of daily phone use, more reading and deep work, less “background notification noise,” calmer mood, and better relationships.
  • Greyscale/monochrome UIs and sparse home screens are described as surprisingly powerful friction.
  • Several describe physical separation (box in another room, leaving phone at home, watch/MP3 player for communication or audio) as more effective than software.

Critiques, edge cases & open problems

  • Skepticism about calling this a “dumbphone” when it still runs LLMs, maps, banking, smart‑home, and gym apps; some feel the term now just means “no infinite scroll/social.”
  • Big practical pain points: browsers (especially for QR menus, tickets, restaurant/gym sites), email “semi‑important” noise vs truly urgent messages, and app updates when stores are disabled.
  • Some worry about losing Activation Lock with supervision, backup/restore complexity, and the tedium of re‑tuning profiles.

Self‑control vs guardrails

  • One camp says this is overkill vs “just be disciplined”; others counter with decision fatigue, addiction‑like behavior, ADHD, and the value of environment design (like not keeping junk food at home).
  • Many frame these setups as temporary training wheels to rebuild healthier habits rather than permanent dependence on technical locks.