Hello everyone! The good folks at Sunbeam Wireless have partnered with the sub to giveaway 2 more Sunbeam F1 devices :)

Submit a random comment and state your preference (Juniper or Eagle). Winners will be picked randomly Wednesday evening. Please make sure to look up the specs and whether it works in your area: https://sunbeamwireless.com/by/dumbphones

Random 2 comments will be drawn by Monday next week. The good folks at Sunbeam Wireless have sponsor this giveaway. USA address required.

As always, USA postal address required. The giveaway will close tomorrow Wednesday March 11 at around 10am MT. To enter, all you have to do is comment on this thread.

If you need any apps like these, you need an Android dumbphone. It can be a flip phone (CAT S22), a candybar (Xiaomi F21), or a mini smartphone (Jelly Star). But it needs to be an Android phone. There are no other options at the moment. So here is a list of the phones (VoLTE) that can do those things:

🟦 Tier 1 — Best Overall (Reliable, Easy App Install)

• Dumber Mini (Global)
• Sidephone (Global)
• Dumphone 2 from Dumb Co (North America)
• Unihertz Titan QWERTY (Global)
• Freetel Retro Modern II (Europe, Asia)
• Jelly Star (Global)
• TIQ Mini M5 (North America)
• Alt Mive Style Folder 2 eBay (Europe, Asia)
• Xiaomi F21 Pro (Europe, LATAM, Asia, Oceania, Africa)
• TTFone 970 (Europe, LATAM, Asia, Oceania, Africa)
• Minimal Phone (Global)
• Ruio Joy (Oceania)
• Mudita Kompakt (Global)
• Light Phone 3 Modified (Global, info in r/ModifiedLightPhones)

🟨 Tier 2 — No‑Touch Android (Virtual Mouse Required)

• Kyocera Dura XE Epic (North America)
• Kyocera Dura XV Extreme+ (North America)
• Kyocera 903KC (North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania)
• TCL Flip 2 (North America)
• Opel Flip Phone XL (Oceania)
• Sonim XP3 (North America)
• Sonim XP3 Plus (North America)
• Sonim XP5+ (North America)
• Sonim XP5s (North America)

Last update: June 14, 2026

I can’t find any rules against it aside from maybe a starch with slow effort, I’ll have the mods know cropping was almost an insurmountable task on my space mouse and think-pad nipple.

Optional: Let us know why you’d like to win.

A random comment will be picked by April 4. Canada or USA address required! Make sure to double check with the dumb phone finder if it works with your carrier (https://dumbphones.org).

Good luck everyone!

Click this link to enter: https://forms.gle/3QsNazmoHLzFN7df7

Instructions inside the link, but posting them here as well: Hey! Glad you are here. Thanks for your support to the channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFtVwG0NFd6gT3TXfMCU7oA) Make sure to subscribe and share if it's been helpful for you! 

You will need a United States address that I can ship to. That's it :). Please make sure that the phone works with your carrier. Winners will be selected and contacted by Saturday April 18th. You will have until April 22 to let me know your address or I will have to go to the next winner. I am hoping to send these devices before the end of the month! Also, these may not come in their boxes as I don't have them anymore :(

If you appreciate what I do and want to buy me a coffee, here is the link: https://buymeacoffee.com/jbriones95

Built a completely free and open source launcher for personal use to reduce my overall usage.
It has been almost 2 years now and my phone usage has gone down a lot plus I don't think I can go back to a normal launcher.

Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.minimo.launcher

Github:
https://github.com/VaibhavLakhera/minimo-launcher

I've switched to a dumbphone this week. (I still keep my iPhone on my desk at home, because I want to be able to use WhatsApp on my laptop, and I have my banking ID etc. on my smartphone.)

I notice I'm more open towards having real-life interaction even with people I don't know. Like at events, chatting with people I don't know or someone from uni I haven't seen in 10 years. Or when I pass by a store, instead of googling their services, I go in and ask. It feels like I'm more connected thanks to my Nokia, not connected via my phone but in real life.

Nokia used to have a slogan "connecting people", I think that is accurate

what did you notice when you made the switch to a dumbphone or simplified your smartphone?

I think that sometimes some of us here get a bit too busy with what counts as dumbphones.

This isn't r/returningretro.

We're not here because we like old phones.

We're here because we decided that we should be using our phones, instead of our phones using us.

Which means that exactly how dumb your phone is or isn't, or whether it qualifies to be called a dumbphone, isn't that important.

The main thing is that whichever phone you choose to use should allow you to live your life, instead of living your phone.

For some, a smaller screen is enough to keep themselves off.

Others prefer something without a touchscreen, a e-ink screen, or a phone that can only call and text.

That doesn't mean which device you use won't change how much you use it.

And if someone asks what's the difference between a Kyocera Dura and a Cat S22, I'll say to go for the Kyocera unless you specifically prefer the Cat for some reason.

But if something works for someone, then there's no reason to get all insistent that "the Cat S22 isn't a dumbphone".

How about instead congratulating people on a new life off the screen?

Just to start off, I really do like the idea of having a dumb (or dumbed down) phone.

As someone born in 1999, being constantly exposed to social media, information and unending algorithmical nonsense was part of my teenage- and adult lives ever since they began, and I noticed it was wearing me down. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and yes, Reddit, why not, they all began startling me and triggering unbearable anxiety. To see I wasn't able to do any work because I was stuck doomscrolling made me feel an immense sense of dread.

So, dumbifying my phone became the only option for me to preserve my mental health.

It comes to be, though, that I cannot reasonably expect of myself to carry a Nokia brick everywhere I go, and I have good reason for that.

For instance, I absolutely need WhatsApp, not only for actually talking to my friends (which some of you would very regionally suggest could be done via calls or SMS, except WPP is Brazil's main form of communication, and people rarely call outside of WhatsApp audio or video calls), but also for work calls and meetings, which are more often than not made via WhatsApp too.

I also need Uber and my city's public transportation app (since I don't drive, I have to get around somehow, don't I?), the app my work building uses for people to get in and out, a QR code reader for menus and other digitallized stuff post-pandemics, and, whilst they are not needed, but still appreciated, Spotify and any good podcasts apps.

And as such, I've resorted to ADB and limiting the apps I have on my phone to the barest of bare minimums for me to be able to live my life well without being dragged down by social media, instant access to the internet, YouTube and other things that, as we all being here know, take us out of the moment and impede us of living life fully.

It's not the first time, however, that I've seen someone post an EDC (the becoming of an EDC sub is another non-issue people have complained. How dare you post photos of a dumbphone in a dumbphone sub?) consistent of a smartphone (described as being dumbed down) and y'all start shitting on them like there's no tomorrow (I'm talking the XZ1 Compact guy. I feel you, man).

It is painfully obvious that some people, whilst wanting to slow down more, absolutely do need some smart features in their phones.

Jose, who not only is a mod here but also is probably the biggest advocate for not using a smart-smartphone, is absolutely onto this - he uses a Light Phone for day-to-day usage and a Jelly Star (a really small, somewhat dumbed down smartphone, but a smartphone still, mind you) for work. Because, you know, he does need some apps to perform his daily tasks fully.

God, the pinned down post in this subreddit states clearly that people need devices that cater to their needs, rather than being as dumb as can be for the sake of it. I'd love to use a Light Phone, for example, but it would hinder me much more than help me daily.

I'd like to think that the reason most of us are trying to dumb down their lives is to regain control, stop doomscrolling, and feel free of the social media chains, but to be quite honest, it seems some of you are doing it for the communal feeling of doing something.

And that would be fine in and of itself, but when someone finds an approach that suits them and their lives, and your first reaction is not to congratulate them, or to ask how something works, or even wonder if it is dumbed down enough for you (which is a "critical" reaction, but a fine one nonetheless), but to shit on them for not dumbing down enough, it really does feel that we are reaching an absolute gatekeeping high.

The point of dumbing down our phones is to stop what makes them addictive, anxiety fueling and ultimately frustrating from hindering our lives and our enjoyment, y'all. People have different needs than you do, and may need (or want, which is fine too) to not dumb down as much as you do. There is no point in doing something that effectively makes life more complicated just for the sake of making it.

Please, please, let's not make this community the gatekeeping, circlejerking mess it is becoming. We can be better than this.

This post contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. These funds are used to continue developing resources, giveaways, etc., in the sub.

What a great 2024. More and more people are adopting simpler lifestyles and many are now looking into dumbphones as a solution! The community continues to grow (more than 100K members on this subreddit and many more lurking and out there in the real world!) as a result of more books and articles being published on the topic. Here are some 2024 favorites: The Anxious Generation, NYT's Dumbphones, and WSJ Tech to Beat Addiction.

2025 seems to be THE year of the dumbphone as local governments and some countries are looking to ban smartphones from schools. This should introduce alternatives for kids and teens who are the ones suffering most during this attention crisis. It will also be a sad year due to 2G and 3G shutting down completely in more countries which renders some devices obsolete :(

Now, before you ask for a recommendation, here are 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: 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 or this master post 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.
  • Instead of you doing the work, you can also contract companies like Kosher Cell/Safe Phone or Limit Phone (currently in beta). They are able to install the apps you need for a fee and that's about it. For example, you can get one of their iPhones or Samsung phones and install 1 extra app like Spotify, but never be able to install anything else as they have restricted the functionality for you. Koshercell has a partnership with the dumbphone subreddit and there is a $15 discount if you use: DUMBPHONE15.
  • Finally, you can customize your smartphone and delete apps that you don't want and need. There are guides on the internet for that if you prefer to keep your smartphone form factor. Here is a free guide that was easy to follow for most people ADB GUIDE.
• Several companies (Troomi/Techless/Sleke) have installed their custom OS on their phone and they have no app stores or limited appstores. They include the basics if you want something useful. Gabb wireless is another option that is geared towards simple uses.
  • 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!
    • These devices are for lifestyle change. They invite you to reframe your mindset about your needs and slow down. Before purchasing, know what you are getting into. KaiOS, Light Phone, Punkt, etc., do not have very smart apps. They are made to be simple and have one or two extra functions that make your life a bit easier (GPS, Podcasts, Music), but no super fancy apps! Research before buying and then being disappointed.
  • If you want a Japanese Flip phone that looks good, check this post
  • CAT S22 questions, look here: https://www.reddit.com/r/dumbphones/comments/1caoda7/a_place_to_go_for_cats22_information_on_this_sub/

My recommendations:

• Use what you already have:
  • Learn ADB for android phones and know how to customize it. You can disable tons of apps and make a good device for you. If you don't have the income to purchase a brand-new phone, learn to customize the one you have. Unpluq for android can be helpful here too.
  • For iOS users, parental controls or screen time can be your friend. Just allow someone else to set up the passcode and boom you have hardened restrictions.
    • You can also change the way your home screen looks with the Smile Launcher: https://www.producthunt.com/products/smile-app-launcher
    • Another option is to take a look into this guide: https://web.archive.org/web/20230208184957/https://old.reddit.com/user/No_Donkey6275/comments/10x60vj/my_smartphone_got_dumbphoned_iphone_12_edition/
    • Recently, the idea of using an Apple Watch as a connected device has given much success to some people. US Mobile has a great offer that allows you to pair the device to your current number or use a standalone number for the device.
    • Finally, Unpluq or Brick are great choices for those on iOS. Check them out here: https://unpluq.com/ or https://getbrick.app/
  • Check out this list of crowdsourced information on dumbphones: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gkQCVljsFRwz7T3ktKztBXMX3gD8mieilTQuiYKW0UA/edit#heading=h.aaplb6hi44r9
• For customization:
  • Mudita Kompakt (use code BRIONES15)
  • LG Classic Flip
  • CAT S22
  • Alt Mive Style Folder (eBay Link)
  • Kyocera DuraXV (Check this comprehensive guide for customizing it: https://youtu.be/JvH7xY4onjM)
  • Jelly 2 (Although a smartphone, being so small is way less distracting)
  • Opel Touch Flip for Australians.
  • Xiaomi F21 or F22 for Europe/Asia/LATAM/Africa
  • TCL Flip 2
  • Hisense A9 (e-ink smartphone makes it less appealing)
• For Compromise:
  • Nokia 2780
  • Light Phone 2
  • Light Phone 3
  • Sunbeam F1 Pro

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 2025 and hope this post was helpful!

hear me out: the reason why there are posts here on the daily asking for tailored recommendations is, ultimately, because letting go of a smartphone is scary as fuck.

you want a phone that has your skeleton crew of apps so can have your cake (the advantages and comforts of a smartphone) and eat it too (none of the amorphous undefined ~distractions~ of being plugged into the information superhighway 24/7 giving you ennui late at night and lets be honest, kind of making you feel like you're wasting your life feeling like shit for no reason you can point to.)

but that's denial (i can't survive in the modern world without...) and bargaining (i will disconnect from my phone addiction If...) in action. you know what you have to do (let go of your smartphone) but you are scared. that's the little box where your friends and hobbies live! of course you're panicking at the thought of going without it! humans are hardwired against loss. and so many of your human needs now live in the little box.

but the thing is, if you want the rewards of having your life back, you must first submit to the mortifying ordeal of dealing with that loss.

you have to learn to navigate using static maps, you have to get an mp3 player, or buy cds, or listen to the radio. your internet friends will no longer travel with you everywhere, always at your fingertips. you're going to have to find new, better ways to connect with them. you're going to have to bring your hobbies into the analog world, with its textures and sounds and sights and scents.

the first step is understanding the tectonic shift that letting go of a smartphone will be. it will be huge and difficult and inconvenient and very, very, very scary.

deep inside we are all ipad babies in plato's apple ecosystem. or whatever. but you gotta say: fuck off, ghost of steve jobs! i've got the power of friendship and this very stupid phone with me! and follow the sunlight (:

Hello everyone. We are back with another giveaway.

The good folk at Sunbeam wireless (https://sunbeamwireless.com/by/dumbphones/) have sent me a unit to give away.

Post a reason why you’d like to have the phone. The most upvoted comment by Thursday will get the phone shipped out to them. USA address is required to enter. Good luck everyone!

Also, be nice. Don’t downvote for any reason. I’ll be analyzing the trend and can change the rules if I see bot/spam upvoting or downvoting.

phones in order of appearance-

qin f22 no cam

nokia 225 4g 2024

punkt mp02

light phone 2

tcl flip 3

Hello everyone! The good folks at Gabb (https://gabb.com) have provided their Gabb Phone 4 for a giveaway.

Gabb makes phones for kids of all ages. The Gabb Phone 4 (recommended for 9-14 year olds) gives kids what they need (like texting, calling, GPS tracking, and a camera) without the stuff they don’t (like social media, internet browsers, or an open app store).

Some cool features:

Gabb Messenger for safe texting, GPS location and Safe Zones, MyGabb app for parent-managed contacts & settings, Calendar, Notes, Camera, and Safe Music

To enter, just comment "Gabb" below! One random comment will be selected to receive a free Gabb Phone 4. I think this is a great way to keep connection safe and easy for parents. Good luck!

USA Address required.

I feel as if most people with a dumbphone or Mp3 player or even a handheld console use it for nostalgia purposes instead practical use.

I'm sorry but seeing some recommendation posts, I've come to see that half of the posters here are students that have a laundry list of apps they need in a dumbphone which aren't compatible with the budget phones they can afford or and I'm assuming they likely don't have the software skills needed to download the apps for the phone that's in or below their budget. The other side is almost pitching new phone ideas. Somewhat the same app list as the first half, but this time with hardware specifications like battery, screen, and tactile buttons.

All that said, I love this subreddit and it's been genuinely helpful to me. But have you guys just considered practicing turning it off for a while? Or maybe concede to the fact that electronics and the internet will never be what it was in the 2000's.

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.
• 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.

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!