How to Make Your iPhone a Dumbphone (2024)

In a world where our smartphones have become an extension of ourselves, there’s a growing movement of people looking to break free from the constant barrage of notifications, apps, and distractions. The allure of a “dumbphone” — a stripped-down device that does little more than make calls and send texts — is stronger than ever. But you don’t need to ditch your iPhone for a Nokia brick to experience the benefits of a simpler, less distracting phone. Instead, you can turn your current iPhone into a DIY dumbphone with the help of a few clever apps.

As someone with an embarrassingly high screen time, I am always looking for ways to stop myself from becoming hyper-fixated on my little screen (maybe you read my blog post on the Top 5 Dumbphones this year). Instead of buying a new device, I decided to take to the app store and see what options I had.

Let’s dive into how you (we?) can reclaim your time and mental space by making your iPhone a lot “dumber”.

Why Go “Dumb”?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: why would anyone want to intentionally “dumb down” their iPhone? Isn’t the whole point of having a smartphone to take advantage of its endless capabilities?

The truth is, more doesn’t always mean better. The more our phones can do, the more they demand from us — our attention, our energy, our time. It’s no secret that the constant pings, buzzes, and shiny app icons are designed to keep us hooked. But what’s the cost? Decreased productivity, fragmented attention, higher stress levels, and even poorer sleep quality.

Going “dumb” isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about taking back control. By reducing your iPhone’s functionality, you can:

• Focus on What Matters: Eliminate distractions so you can hone in on work, creative projects, or quality time with loved ones.
• Lower Stress and Anxiety: With fewer interruptions, you can stay present and engaged in whatever you’re doing, rather than being pulled in a million directions by your phone.
• Improve Your Sleep and Well-Being: Less screen time, especially before bed, means better sleep and a clearer mind.

So, if you’re ready to declutter your digital life and make your smartphone work for you — not the other way around — here’s how to get started.

The Apps That Make Your iPhone Dumber (In a Good Way)

You don’t have to be a tech wizard to transform your iPhone into a more focused, less distracting tool. With the right apps, you can achieve a dumbphone experience while still keeping the essential features you rely on. Here are the top apps that will help you do just that:

1. Dumbify: Simplify Your Home Screen

What It Does: Dumbify is the ultimate tool for anyone looking to declutter their iPhone. It simplifies your home screen by hiding distracting apps, limiting notifications, and creating a clean, minimalistic interface that’s tough to resist.

Key Features:

• App Hiding: Hide non-essential apps from your home screen, so you’re not tempted to mindlessly tap them.
• Notification Control: Mute or limit notifications from certain apps, reducing the noise and allowing you to focus on what’s important.
• Minimalist Interface: Create a streamlined home screen with only the essentials visible.

How to Use It:

1. Download Dumbify: Start by downloading the app from the App Store.
2. Set Up App Restrictions: Use Dumbify to hide apps that tend to be your biggest time-wasters.
3. Customize Your Home Screen: Arrange your remaining apps in a way that prioritizes functionality over distraction. Keep only the bare minimum — think messaging, email, calendar, and notes.

2. Blank Spaces: Embrace the Power of Emptiness

What It Does: Ever wish your iPhone’s home screen could feel a bit more like a peaceful retreat and less like a chaotic battlefield of apps? That’s where Blank Spaces comes in. This app lets you create empty spaces on your home screen, breaking up the visual clutter and giving your mind some much-needed breathing room.

Key Features:

• Create Blank Icons: Insert invisible icons to create gaps between apps, giving your home screen a cleaner, more spacious look.
• Visual Simplicity: The fewer apps you see, the fewer you’ll be tempted to open. Blank Spaces encourages mindful phone use by reducing visual stimuli.

How to Use It:

1. Install Blank Spaces: Get the app from the App Store and open it.
2. Create Your Blank Icons: Use the app to generate blank spaces and place them strategically across your home screen.
3. Organize Thoughtfully: Position these blanks to create a spacious layout that guides your eye only to the essentials.

3. Widgy: Custom Widgets for a Cleaner Interface

What It Does: Widgets can be incredibly useful, but they can also be a source of distraction if they’re cluttered with unnecessary information. Widgy allows you to design your own minimalistic widgets, so you get the information you need at a glance — and nothing more.

Key Features:

• Customizable Widgets: Create widgets that are as simple or detailed as you need them to be. Whether it’s a single line of text or a small calendar, Widgy gives you the power to design your home screen your way.
• Minimalist Design: Keep it simple with minimalistic widgets that don’t overwhelm your home screen with too much information.

How to Use It:

1. Download Widgy: Available on the App Store, Widgy is easy to set up and customize.
2. Explore Templates: Start with pre-made templates or design your own from scratch.
3. Add to Home Screen: Integrate your custom widgets into your home screen to keep important info front and center without the clutter.

4. On Point: Stay Focused When It Matters

What It Does: On Point is like having a personal productivity coach in your pocket. It’s designed to help you stay focused during work or study sessions by minimizing distractions and helping you manage your time effectively.

Key Features:

• Focus Sessions: Use the Pomodoro technique to break your work into manageable chunks, with short breaks in between.
• App Blocking: During focus sessions, On Point restricts access to distracting apps, ensuring you stay on task.
• Progress Tracking: Monitor your productivity over time and see how much you’ve improved by using focus sessions.

How to Use It:

1. Install On Point: Download the app and set up your focus sessions.
2. Customize Your Sessions: Choose how long you want your focus periods to be, and decide which apps should be blocked during this time.
3. Get to Work: Start your focus session and let On Point handle the rest. Enjoy distraction-free work time, with only essential notifications getting through.

5. Brick: Transform Your iPhone into a True Dumbphone

What It Does: Brick is the app for those who want to take the dumbphone concept to the next level. By stripping away all but the most basic functions, Brick turns your iPhone into a device that’s purely for calls, texts, and very little else.

Key Features:

• Radical Simplification: Cut out apps, social media, and even the internet if you want. Brick transforms your smartphone into something resembling the “dumb” phones of the past.
• Basic Functionality: Keep only essential functions like calling and texting. Everything else is optional, allowing you to tailor your phone to your needs.
• Physical Object: Gone are the days of typing in a passcode on Screen Time limites. Brick is an app that also requires a $49 physical “Brick” button to connect with your phone.

How to Use It:

1. Download and purchase Brick: Find it on the App Store and install it on your iPhone.
2. Set Up Your Dumbphone: Choose the level of simplification you want. You can keep some features or go all-in and turn your iPhone into a bare-bones communication device.
3. Live the Simple Life: Use your new dumbphone to stay connected on your terms, free from the distractions of a fully-loaded smartphone.

Tips for Maintaining Your DIY Dumbphone

Once you’ve set up your DIY dumbphone, it’s important to maintain this new, less-distracting lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

• Regularly Review Your Apps: Periodically check which apps are creeping back into your daily use. Don’t be afraid to delete or hide them again if they’re not serving a purpose.
• Use Focus Modes: iOS Focus Modes are your best friend. Set them up to automatically limit notifications during work hours, sleep time, or when you need a break from screens.
• Be Intentional with Screen Time: Make a habit of reviewing your screen time report each week. Use it as a guide to make adjustments and ensure your phone is helping, not hindering, your productivity and well-being.

Conclusion

Transforming your iPhone into a DIY dumbphone is a powerful way to reclaim your attention, reduce stress, and live a more intentional life. By using apps like Dumbify, Blank Spaces, Widgy, On Point, and Brick, you can create a phone that serves your needs without overwhelming you with distractions.

So, why not give it a try? Start small, see how it feels, and adjust as you go. You might just find that less really is more when it comes to your smartphone.

Have you tried any of these apps to turn your iPhone into a dumbphone? How has it changed your daily life? Share your experience in the comments below, and let us know if you have any other recommendations for taking control of your smartphone time.