I Spent the Past Year Using a Dumb Phone (and Why You Should Try It)

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For the past year, I've been using a dumb phone (also known as a "basic phone" or a "minimal phone") called the Light Phone 2. In this episode, I talk more about my decision to downgrade from an iPhone and what the past year (April 2021 - April 2022) has been like. Have you ever thought about making the switch? Comment below and let me know.
⚠️ UPDATE: I learned after posting this that the Hotspot function can now be added to the main Toolbox menu, so it requires far fewer clicks to get there. I also learned that link forwarding was part of a past update and I never realized it. Both of these features have been GREAT in terms of the issues I list in the "What's Been Hard" section. I've also been trying the Directions tool for the first time, and I've been pleasantly surprised!
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00:00 Intro
00:23 Why I Made the Switch
03:03 My Current Setup
05:00 What I've Liked
07:25 What's Been Hard
09:33 Was It Worth It?
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[@therealsamreid]

UPDATES: I learned after posting this that the Hotspot function can now be added to the main Toolbox menu, so it requires far fewer clicks to get there. I also learned that link forwarding was part of a past update and I never realized it. Both of these features have been GREAT in terms of the issues I list in the "What's Been Hard" section. I've also been trying the Directions tool for the first time, and I've been pleasantly surprised!

[@Pr0toPoTaT0]

Hey dude!!! Just heads up, I thought you kinda looked like Pete Davidson in this one!!!!!+++ 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@JoseBriones]

You can forward links now. Check your settings :). Great video Sam. Can’t believe it’s been a year for you.

[@therealsamreid]

This is GREAT news! Now I'm wondering how long I'd been sitting on that feature without knowing it 😂 I appreciate you helping me get started in this journey over a year ago!

[@itsmickeyyoung]

How do you forward the links now?

[@therealsamreid]

In the settings there’s just an option to turn link forwarding on! You can also forward individual messages without links if you’d like to do that as well.

[@Jnthnpg]

The problem is that you can be as present as you like, everyone else has a smartphone and so isn’t present with you.

[@JoePCool14]

But you also then have grounds to try and call them out on it, and maybe even start a discussion on the whole thing.

[@CrowScareify]

So glad I ran into your channel. You have such a great way of diving into topics in a kind, soft but highly informed way

[@LaOwlett]

When smart phones first came out, I was too poor to get one. It was a blessing in disguise because as the years went on, I saw people turn into zombies. Hopelessly and pathologically hooked. I decided I would stay away, despite being tech savvy and having a love for technology.

[@smileychess]

Crack is also fun at first...

[@RecoveringMidwit]

I think I’ve settled on a thought where the information tech is not devastating, it’s pairing it to the smartphone that makes it so bad. Interacting with the internet on a desktop PC at home is one thing. Taking the internet everywhere you go always (on the phone) is another

[@stevechance150]

I'd be happy if I could just get rid of KZbin, on the phone.

[@RecoveringMidwit]

@@stevechance150 I mean, you can :) but that’s kind of the point. You aren’t.

[@simply_teez]

I just ordered mine and I'm waiting for it to arrive. This phone reminds me a lot of the cellphones back in the late 90s and early 2000s but with some modern tools like Hotspot, and text-to-talk.

[@simply_teez]

I got my Light Phone and I like it.

[@CF.]

Me too. 😊 I love it and I’m not going back to my iPhone.

[@maceawilder]

How are you liking it? Did you keep it or go back to a smart phone at this point?

[@simply_teez]

@maceawilder it was okay. It does what it's supposed to do. I haven't used it in a year, but i do use it for my kids. When they get in trouble, I'll take away their smartphone and give them the dumb phone. One other good thing is that i am no longer using social media.

[@beanbag345]

If you have an Android you can download a launcher that basically makes your phone limited like the light phone. You select what apps you want access to. Maybe that's not enough of a break...

[@themancoat]

Thank you! I've been using a minimal Nova Launcher build I built, but now checking out some new ones.

[@soo5985]

Thanks for the update. I watched your original video on the LP2 way back when.

[@therealsamreid]

That's awesome! It's been a great experience so far. Thanks for watching!

[@soniateach]

I loved your explanation of why you still decided to create KZbin videos to help others!

[@therealsamreid]

Thank you for saying that!

[@gaston.]

you fit my profile as well, getting my 1st smartphone in 2016.. and thinking I was probably happier before..

[@stevegrubich184]

Thanks for sharing your experience Sam...great video. Looked into the Light Phone II...it's not available here in Canada...bummer. Am looking at moving to a flip phone. Not having a GPS navigation tool has been a big mental roadblock. You mentioned using your iPhone without a SIM card on WiFi. Do you know if Android phones can work the same way on Wifi without a SIM card? Smartphone as a pseudo iPodTouch might be an interesting and helpful video. Also...saw in a comment below that you have a Garmin Instinct watch...video about your experience with that is another video idea.

[@therealsamreid]

Thanks for the comment Steve! Looks like Google Maps on Androids works the same way - if you put in the address while you’re on wifi, the app will still give you accurate turn by turn directions once you leave that wifi network. And I will keep those ideas in mind for future videos! I’ve definitely loved the Garmin Instinct.

[@FelipeMendes2094]

I did the same! My next year resolution is to have my SIM card in my lightphone II ONLY and use my iPhone only for work using Wi-Fi. Lightphone honestly changed my life. You should talk to Jose Briones.

[@therealsamreid]

Big fan of Jose!!! He has been a huge help to me on my basic phone journey.

[@JazminFloral1020]

I would love to switch. The only thing is that with my visual impairment, the phone does need to be accessible. This would mean either larger text or a program that reads everything on the screen. But I would really really love to try it.

[@AlejandroP1980s]

Caterpillar s22 flip

[@tadghcr2175]

If you want not a smartphone that's visually accessible, The Blind Life has reviews of phones like Blind Shell and others that I forget! (Like the Light Phone a lot of them run Android but only have text. Those have physical buttons and will read out what's on the screen.)

[@degzero]

I switched my primary sim from iphone and moved to blackberry classic where nothing works now since all services are down. I still have my iphone active since i need that while travelling for gps

[@therealsamreid]

Nice!!

[@joshfread1081]

I am going to buy this for my work phone mostly, but it is also a necessity for keeping me healthy mentally, physically and family wise. Some people can moan and complain about the price, but if you truly want to have complete freedom from all of the apps and notifications and energy-sucking lifestyle then this is a great place to start.

[@therealsamreid]

Nice!! Best of luck to you!

[@pabbaditya]

Just ordered mine. The only thing I am worried about is Two Factor Authentication, especially when it comes to VPNs. They dont always have a text option.

[@therealsamreid]

Oooh okay gotcha! Can't speak to VPNs but the good news is that the Light Phone has link forwarding, so if you need to authenticate via a link it will get forwarded to your email address (if you have another way to access your email).

[@pabbaditya]

@@therealsamreid that’s perfect!! That should be more than enough

[@therealsamreid]

Thanks so much for watching! Do you have any questions about being a dumb phone user? Have you ever thought about downgrading? Let me know in the comments!

[@MrNoName7474]

The main thing holding me back is music. I use youtube on a daily basis for that. Are there any music apps? KZbin music app maybe? Or any music app that I can create custom playlists? Or should I just buy an mp3 again?

[@energysourcelove]

What running gps watch you get? I would love to know which ones don’t need to connect to a phone.

[@therealsamreid]

I got the Garmin Instinct! To be fair, it can connect to a phone and do push notifications (which I don’t do), but for the basic functions of connecting to a GPS signal, tracking my runs, counting steps, heart rate, stopwatch, alarms, etc., the phone connection isn’t necessary. I really like the watch!

[@mwatts-riley2688]

Re switching sim cards. I have my current L G (this) as a small pad it's my tv and my calender. The PHONE that I use is a Nokia which does ONLY t and t. 8$ monthly bill. 😃

[@jasmachugh4222]

I'm in law enforcement, should I switch over or just de-tox on my days off?? I use my phone at work for photos, single/group texts, and phone calls, and occasional GPS nav if I have a patrol brain fart.

[@therealsamreid]

Sounds like it could be a good option for switching back and forth when you're off! From what I understand, switching the SIM back and forth is relatively seamless

[@davidwayne9982]

I have a smart phone-- but I use ONLY the CAMERA, and the PHONE... and very very rarely the photo check deposit function.. I have NO issue ignoring all the CRAP on it-- and when I have it in my pocket-- it's TURNED OFF until I'm ready to make a call or make a picture...

[@minervasanchez-tenorio3531]

So how can someone reach you if it’s turned off 🤣

[@minilox2763]

how did you get the phone if its pre order right now?

[@therealsamreid]

So I actually got it a year ago - in April 2021. At the time I bought it, it did not require pre-ordering. If I remember correctly, I think I waited until they were in stock to order.

[@RobR386]

Just got my nokia 225 4G feature phone, it’s going to be my work phone, so I’m less distracted

[@therealsamreid]

That’s awesome. Best of luck!

[@shootmalones]

Can you switch the sim card from an iphone into pretty much any dumb phone? I want to have the option to go back to iphone for when i take trips and need the camera

[@therealsamreid]

Yep! At least with the Light Phone it’s pretty seamless to switch it back and forth

[@Pythonzzz]

The exception is if you have the latest gen of iPhone (14). They switched to an eSIM instead of physical SIM and it’s not so easy to switch. You could probably go in a store or call your carrier to switch them before a trip, but it’s definitely not as seamless as swapping out a physical SIM card.

[@ManCaveTV1]

Why is light phone 2 still on pre order? If I pay for it now I won’t get it for 2 months.

[@therealsamreid]

Oh man! Sorry to hear that. I’m not affiliated with the company but if you reach out to them via their website they might be able to give you some more clarity on that

[@Boobtubeus]

Light phone 2 is made in batches so that’s why you have to wait. They’re not a big company that can pay for a million devices to be made at once.

[@soniateach]

How do you manage scheduling, calendars and to-dos when you using the light phone? Right now I use a calendar & to-do list app that syncs with my husband's phone as well. I just bought flip phone and I'm trying to figure out the logistics!

[@therealsamreid]

GREAT question. Still figuring that out to some degree. I use a combination of things: for to-dos, sometimes the Notes app on my laptop and other times a handwritten legal pad. When I'm on the go I typically have pocket notepad to jot stuff down! For calendars I mostly use Google calendar on my laptop. The Notes app and Google products should both be able to sync with other smartphones, which is good!

[@soniateach]

@@therealsamreid thank you!!

[@kyled9357]

Are you still using the light phone? if so how has the new Calendar app fixed some of your issues with it? That to me is the main issue I’m trying to figure out how to break through, I too have a shared calendar with my wife and also my work outlook calendar to try to match up scheduling with. worst case scenario I can schedule appointments at a later date than when I’m at the office, for example doctors visits or chiropractors, but it would be nice to just look at my calendar and see all my events

[@therealsamreid]

@@kyled9357 hi! The calendar tool has been huge. I use Google calendar and the integration has been pretty seamless! The functionality is pretty good too - can add events directly from the phone and they’ll show up elsewhere. Can’t speak to Outlook but I’d imagine it would be similar!

[@bonenfant96]

Nobody speaks about getting tired of being spied on.

[@RolandKoller90]

I’m on the hunt for a different type of detox. For me I’ve always wanted to leave the house, not time decided on, but to just leave without a phone. Without having to pick something up and put it in my pocket. I should be reachable to text or call, but the device should be attached to me easily without having to always use my hands to bring it with me. So the best solution would be an Apple Watch Ultra. My iPhone can sit at home plugged in when I leave (to receive call/texts from non iPhones). iPhones can be turned off and the watch still gets iMessage and calls from iPhone users.

[@northernswedenstories1028]

The whole QR code menu thing is so stupid. There are some places here in Sweden also doing that. How hard is it to print a menu? World's gone bonkers

[@kyletidmore853]

Def thought of down grading

[@therealsamreid]

It's definitely hard to adjust with work stuff. But worth it imo

[@kathrynwharton2236]

Has anyone here travelled to Europe with a dumb phone?

[@northernswedenstories1028]

The best thing in my case has been to buy a dumb phone with 4g to tether to my laptop.

[@therealsamreid]

I like it! For some reason the laptop is much less addictive for me.

[@northernswedenstories1028]

@@therealsamreid yeah it works pretty well. The only issue for me personally is living in Sweden thing like sending money, banking, using public transport etc is made infinitely more difficult without particular apps so now I'm looking for a full android phone bit which is so small it isn't fun to easy to get addicted to

[@therealsamreid]

Makes sense!

[@huskyqueen7979]

For SCYFS can you do (it’s a Christian song) come alive by Lauren Daigle

[@therealsamreid]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard it! But I will give it a listen

[@lilyyoung1002]

Come Alive is a great song

[@bravestarr19]

Are you still using your light phone?

[@therealsamreid]

Yep!

[@bravestarr19]

@@therealsamreid Good for you...I am back on mine after bring on some other dumbphones. Its the best one. It is so possible to use it as a daily driver, literally changes your life!

[@MR_THINQ]

Welcome to 1980… zzzzzzz I used a dumb phone decades ago when the world was normal and sane.

[@nensondubois]

Capitalism isn't really looking out for our well-being period. We should know this as a society and abandon using "smart phones" and reconnect as people again.

[@samuelkrason]

Glory

[@therealsamreid]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I been using a dumnphone coming up four years this Jan

[@therealsamreid]

That's amazing!

[@nickvolt2816]

Switching to dumb phone seems to be more popular. But it is nonsense. All you need to do is to disable or uninstall social apps on your smartphone and turn off transfer data. You still get fully functional phone with ability to surf the web, get pictures in mms etc. It's all about your way of using it. Smartphone is not a problem - real problem are your habits.

[@arx117]

Some people can't resist their nafs to use social media.

[@nickvolt2816]

@@arx117 Yes, but if you remove apps from your phone, you probably would not use browser to still use it.

[@folksurvival]

You're being dishonest, it is not nonsense.

[@juanappleseed]

They are designed to be addictive. Avoiding a burger in front of your face when you're trying to diet is a stupid use of willpower, which is finite. Meaning that willpower won't go to more useful things.

[@nickvolt2816]

@JJ king On Android you can disable or even remove Store (and g services). Fixing it is not so simple, so you can't do it fast when you feel weak and want to download FB or something. BTW if you can't stop yourself from opening FB app (or any other) it is very bad.

[@nightslasher9384]

I don’t want to. It’s stupid.

[@mxdirtcarver9203]

Panda eyes

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Fact: smartphones do not work. You cannot use them to do anything. There exist no keyboards, no buttons, to control anything on the screen. What shows up on the screen randomly changes completely outside your control. The only technical devices that work are: 1) flipphones 2) desktop computers with keyboard and mouse 3) laptop computer with a mouse, minimum, and probably still need a physically proper keyboard I used a sibling's Toshiba laptop in 1998-1999 when I taught math at a local community college. I used the keyboard that came with the Toshiba. I remember no major problems. But ever since that one, that I had to return to my sibling, whenever I have laid my fingers on a notebook computer keyboard, I have no control. Very unnatural feeling having no support for my wrists. I bash enough things. I do not want to wage war against notebooks. Twice tried a "smart"phone I mean dumbphone I mean shitphone. Never ever ever again. Latest ordeal (July 2022) has been enraging. Previous time 2019 April not as bad. But in both cases: returned these shitphones immediately. Fact: smartphones do not work. Period.

[@miketech79]

It's not the phone it's the user.... here is what I've posted on other videos like this one: Next time I get an iPhone before I transfer everything over to the phone I am going to try to delete and not use as many things as possible from the phone 1st to see what that looks like. No iCloud, App Store signed out, etc. The only apps that I see that are not delete-able on my iPhone are App Store, Clock, Safari, Settings, Camera, Find My, Health, Messages, Phone, Photos, Wallet. So for me in looking at this list this is basically the same as the dumb phone. Basically don't touch the App Store, use App Limits to disable Safari, Find My is useless if signed out of iCloud/Apple ID, and that leaves Health and Wallet. Clock, Settings, Camera, Messages, Phone, and Photos are on the dumb phone. It's the user's responsibility to use their phone the way that works for them. No need to get a different phone.

[@jayman8001]

You summed it up right at the end, “option”. It’s an option to fall back as well as not. Come on man 👨🏻, behave better and be better.

[@johnnypaulus9555]

I agree with you and I have been using my iPhone in the same way, however, I still find the easy access to texts and the way that the iPhone is engineered to be easily used and addictive, is too much for me. I need to use WhatsApp to contact friends in Europe so I switch from my dumb phone one day a week to using my smartphone that way. The dumb phone is really just a way to make it harder for me to be distracted and to be more present in the moment.

[@LambdaMiscellaneous]

Hell naw, no thanks.