Dumber Smartphone

I intentionally stupefy my iPhone for:

1. Less distration. There are too many features, notifications, and apps that fight for my attention. Constant distractions are affecting my focus and bring undesired stress. I find smartphones out-of-the-box quite overwhelming, that’s why I prefer plenty of features to be turned off.

2. Better privacy and security. I care about how my data is used and value my digital privacy. Knowing where the data goes and how it’s being processed allows me to have more control over it.

3. Prioritizing individual needs. Manufactureres compete for a bigger share of the market. They try hard on creating universal solutions aimed to please everyone’s needs, which is not necessarily applies to my case. I prefer to figure out what’s really needed and what’s not by my own.

4. More freedom. I view a smartphone as an additional benefit, not as something mandatory. I like the idea that my quality of life doesn’t depend on an electronic device or some of its functions.

This publication is a follow up to an earlier post about my Digital Principles.

☁️🤖🥱🫨😖 → ☀️🏃⚡️😌🧘‍♂️

Apps

• Delete apps that haven’t been used for more than a month
• Delete communication apps that are not crucial for personal life and work
• Stay away from social media
• Delete apps for servies that have usable web versions
• Use RSS reader (Miniflux) with a custom-tailored feed of sources.
• Keep the total number of installed apps below 30 (Check in Settings > General > About)

UI/UX

• Turn off all non-critical notifications: Settings > Notifications > [App Name] > Allow Notifications: Off
• Turn off ask to join networks notification: Settings > Wi-Fi > Ask to Join Networks: Off
• Use single page home screen
• Remove non-freqently used apps from home screen
• Reduce motion and animation: Settings > Accessibility > Reduce Motion (Disable), Prefer Cross-Fade Transitions (Disable), Auto-Play Animated Images (Disable)
• Reduce transparency: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency (Enable)
• Use ugly color as wallpaper (like drab dark brown, #4A412A).
• Use greyscale mode¹: Settings > Accessibility > Color Filters > Greyscale

Security & Privacy

• Use secure passcode (7+ characters) instead of Touch ID
• Disable Touch ID / Face ID: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > (Disable everything in ‘Use Face ID for’)
• Disable access to features on locked screen: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > (Disable everything in ‘Allow aceess when locked’)
• Disable auto-joining hotspots: Settings > Wi-Fi > Auto-Join Hotspot > Never
• Disable analytics: Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > (Disable everything))
• Keep Bluetooth off by default: Settings > Bluetooth > Bluetooth (Disable)
• Disable Personalized Ads: Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising > Personalized Ads (Disable)
• Disable offloading unsued apps: Settings > App Store > Offload Unused Apps (Disable)
• Disable feedback notifications: Settings > App Store > In-Apps Ratings & Reviews (Disable)
• Safari: Prevent Cross-site Tracking: Settings > Safari > Prevent Cross-Site Tracking (Enable)
• Safari: Hide IP from trackers: Settings > Safari > Hide IP Address > From Trackers
• Safari: Tracking protection everywhere: Settings > Safari > Advanced > Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection > All Browsing
• Safari - Better privacy for ads: Settings > Safari > Advanced > Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement (Enable)
• Use encrypted DNS servers (Quad9, NextDNS, AdGuard)²: Settings > Wi-Fi > [Network name] > Configure DNS > Manual

Extra

• Do not rely on powerbanks; use device less often to save power.
• Exploit other people and their phones to get navigation guides, search for information, order foor or call a taxi.
• Substitue smartphone functions with single-purposed devices: read ebooks from Kindle, tell time from a wristwatch, take pictures with a real camera, use pen & paper for taking notes, etc.
• Practice Digital Shabbat.

2024-03-18

←
Build & Deploy Hugo Site With Sourcehut →
Spring Site Updates