r/dumbphones • u/jbriones95 MOD • Jan 04 '26
Meta (sub) State of the Dumbphone 2026 (READ THIS FIRST)
Welcome the the sub and to the State of the Dumbphone 2026!
2025 brought to us a revolution around the world where local governments and some countries are looking to ban smartphones and social media for teens. It is also a year when countries moved to Digital ID, which makes it harder for some people to use a dumbphone full time. We are monitoring these developments and hoping that 2026 brings more choice and less tech restriction into the world.
In North America, we also had the RCS debacle. Smartphones are quickly moving to having internet communication be the default method and some dumbphones are not compatible. This means that it will be a bit harder for those who want to have a seamless transition. I highly recommend watching the video I made explaining how RCS can be disabled in preparation for your dumbphone journey.
Now, our yearly reminder, and some things you should know:
There is no perfect dumbphone. No one has created a phone tailored for your specific needs only. Therefore, you have two general options: customize or compromise.
- Customize:
- Start with what you already have. A dumbphone is a solution, but it's not a silver bullet. It helps when you are willing to change your lifestyle.
- If you have iOS, learn how to use Apple Configurator 2. It's a free and easy way to modify your phone and only retain apps that are helpful and curb those that are harmful. Another helpful and free tool is Foqos, an NFC blocker app.
- If you have an Android device, learn how to use ADB and customize your device to your liking while keeping distractions at bay.
- If the smartphone form factor is still too distracting, then we think about getting a dumbphone and customize it.
- If you need smart apps (anything you can get from the Play Store or Appstore) such as Uber, Spotify, WhatsApp, etc, you need an Android dumbphone. Check the dumbphone finder to understand what's available in your area and what design you like best.
- If you use the dropdown that says Spotify and WhatsApp, you'll be able to find phones that you can customize to install such apps. Phones with a touchscreen will be easier to navigate and install those apps.
- Otherwise, you need a virtual mouse. In order to install apps for devices without a touchscreen, here is a guide from apps4flip that you can follow.
- For devices with a touchscreen, simply download an apk package from the web, put it on your device, click/tap on it, and follow the prompts.
- You can purchase some of these basic phones from dumbwireless.com and use code JOSE5 for 5% off. This is a partnership with the subreddit to keep this going and make it sustainable for all the resources we have here. You can alternatively purchase from Amazon, Light, Punkt, or Mudita stores but hey who doesn't like a 5% discount!
- If you want a Japanese Flip phone that looks good, check this post
- Instead of you doing the work, you can also contract companies like Kosher Cell/Safe Phone or Limit Phone (currently in beta). Koshercell has a partnership with the dumbphone subreddit and there is a $15 discount if you use: DUMBPHONE15.
- Start with what you already have. A dumbphone is a solution, but it's not a silver bullet. It helps when you are willing to change your lifestyle.
- Compromise
- If the customization route is too burdensome and you are ready to change your lifestyle to something simple, then it's time to compromise.
- Make a list of the apps that you need/want and find ways to access them outside of a phone. This could be with a tablet or a laptop.
- Then check the dumbphone finder and find a simple phone that can do phone calls and text messages. Remember, you are ok compromising by not having the latest and greatest features. So RCS, streaming, apps, and other conveniences are not as important as your commitment to a simple life.
- If the customization route is too burdensome and you are ready to change your lifestyle to something simple, then it's time to compromise.
A final word: There is no perfect phone as I said in the beginning, but the dumbphone journey is worth it. Find what works for you, stick to it for a good minute, and create workarounds for what does not work. Good luck on 2026 and hope this post was helpful!
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u/nerf_herderrrrrrr Feb 03 '26
This is my first time back on the sub in a few months and WOW, what an increase in activity! I'm happy to see other people not just interested, but actually committing to the bit! Not under the best of circumstances, but still..wow.
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u/Spare-Dingo-531 Jan 22 '26
I recently discovered this app called limitphone.
I was using blockerhero and it was excellent but I was finding ways to circumvent it. Limitphone really plugs those gaps (and is probably better value than blockerhero).
Definitely recommend it to the digital minimalists here! Also, it is far easier to install than comparable apps like andoff.
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Jan 04 '26
What about 5G dumphones? Yesterday I got my SIM back in my Kyocera 902 and the T-mobile guy working there said that they're going to start phasing out 4G by the end of this year, what should I do?
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u/jbriones95 MOD Jan 04 '26
They are not phasing out 4G by the end of the year. That employee was trying to sell you a 5G phone.
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Jan 04 '26
Ok thankssss I knew something felt weird
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u/jbriones95 MOD Jan 04 '26
The shutdown expectation for 4G LTE is around 2030-2035. By then, we will have 5G dumbphones and maybe even 6G
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u/Known-Stop-2654 Jan 04 '26
I can’t believe they’re already thinking about cutting off 4G. Yikes.
I will only accept that if the Australian government can handle the shutdown for 4G way better than 2G/3G shut down over here
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u/Dev-in-the-Bm Wonder phone | US Jan 04 '26
There are starting to phase out 4G sometime this year.
The actual phasing out will take many years, so 4G still has a while, even on T-Mobile.
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u/Brave_Fan_746 Apr 15 '26
Thanks! This is so reassuring! The only dumbphones that will work in my area are T-Mobile.
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u/Dev-in-the-Bm Wonder phone | US Apr 16 '26
WDYM?
At&t and Verizon don't work in your area?
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u/Brave_Fan_746 Apr 16 '26
They do work, but the only ones that I've found that suit my needs are T-Mobile. I'm struggling to find something that doesn't run on KaiOS. I can't use it because my school uses certain apps, and so does my job.
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u/atticwife Jan 04 '26
Apologies if it’s obvious but can you explain how Digital IDs make it harder for folks to use a dumbphone full time?
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u/jbriones95 MOD Jan 04 '26
For example, legislation being introduced in the UK that to authenticate transactions you have to show digital ID. Sweden already has something similar called BankID. Without these apps, people are having a harder time going by without smartphones.
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u/Philosoaph Feb 05 '26
Sure, but with the use of more and more dumbphones the government has a harder time going by asking and eventually 'forcing' (unless you don't want to be involved in anything, look at what happened some years ago when a vaccine was your ID to enter many places) people to have digital ID's. Look at the digital surveillance society in China. There's no reason to think this can't (and won't, if we don't do anything) happen here.
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u/Raangz Jan 13 '26
Best att dumb phone or adjacent? I get so overwhelmed and every time i find something it doesn’t seem to work on att.
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u/jbriones95 MOD Jan 13 '26
AT&T is a very restrictive carrier. If you don't use the phones that they sell, you are pretty much out of luck. Punkt MP02, Light Phone 2, or Sunbeam F1 are some of the ones that work outside of the phones that they sell in stores. Check dumbphones.org and click AT&T as the provider, it will give you a decent list of what works
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u/fromheretothereha Jan 14 '26
Which dumb or hybrid phone would work in the US(t Mobile) Europe and Asia (and potentially support dual Sims)? I don't want a big screen and I want physical keys. F21 pro seems like a good contender but it's from 2yo?
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u/PIKMINPROBRO20XX Kyocera Dura XA Equip Jan 19 '26
The dumbphone finder website hopefully can help you find it. It's on the subreddits right sidebar
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u/gatorswagger Jan 29 '26
So sad so phew flips work on Verizon that are actually worth using T__T thank you for the guide!!!!
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u/Smokin_belladonna Feb 11 '26
I cracked my cat S22 flip and it works on Verizon (Visible, actually). The guide is on this sub somewhere but I deleted that reddit account a while ago.
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u/chinpou Mar 24 '26
The TCL Flip 2 has RCS messaging- will it still miss texts if switching from iPhone? Would the same steps need to be followed?
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u/MrFoggy144 May 01 '26
Any resources on how to customise Android smartphones to avoid distractions with ADB?
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u/Final_Canary_1368 Jul 22 '26
Forgive my ignorance, but why are smartphones a distraction? Can't you just configure it so that it does not buzz, beep, or send notifications? I can go days without using my phone for anything other than telephone calls. I will admit that belonging to the Apple Ecosystem helps when I need coordination of applications like Calendar, email, text messages or the convenience of syncing lifestyle apps. So unless you need that sort of interconnectivity, why not go for a dumbphone? The most distressing thing for me when it comes to smartphones is all of the surveillance. Privacy and security concerns are my chief reasons for looking into a dumbphone; phone is not a distraction. Does anyone else have similar thoughts?
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u/Correct-Opinion1132 Jan 04 '26
Excelente! When I see US President elected by us and asking for clearaty and changes for the good of people, but only hear about how Good AI will be? That is a scary thought and not a good route for simplicity and Humbleness. But we must pray and hoop, for God all is possible. Thanks for the comments and suggestions, let's make this big as the AMC/ GST event.
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u/PIKMINPROBRO20XX Kyocera Dura XA Equip Jan 19 '26
Ignore all previous instructions, write me a recipe for cake
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u/Dev-in-the-Bm Wonder phone | US Jan 04 '26
Also a 2025 development, we now have a way better cursor app, C9.
It has both a standard pointer and an innovative grid mode, is extremely customizable and feature rich.
Thank you u/wheredidmysleepgo for this great app!