New subscriber 😊 your video really spoke to me. I just deleted a handful of apps (Wells Fargo I can just get email notifications of charges, plant watering reminder app, bitmoji). Others I’m struggling with like Venmo, find my iPhone (my husband and I always share location), gas buddy, period tracking, meditation, Libby (audiobooks). I think those are helpful enough and not distracting that I’ll keep them.
Great video. Just what I was looking for. I've been trying to minimize my phone use for a few years now but I recently noticed that my screen time went up again. I've been thinking about my first iPhone (back in 2010) and how it felt more like a tool. After seeing this video I deleted some more apps. Let's find out how this goes. I also like the idea of shifting more things, like the photo library, to the computer. Greetings from the Netherlands.
😂 I feel you, I used my phone for working and gosh I love me some good video to listen to on UA-cam, so that’s my go to. I don’t have dumb phone cause I’m not obsessed with social media like FB IG TT etc. Only will check on them for few minutes, sometimes it would last for an hour if I got distracted. But YT is a different platform, it’s where we can learn a lot of things. And listening to free music instead of Spotify, save a bit of bills 😊 Her obsession with having phone on her is something I can relate to😂 but not with dump phone though, and it’s okay.
My screen time on my iPhone 13 mini is an hour a day. I have no social media installed, no games, no media content. These days you still need a smartphone for banking, gps and email, those apps are very essential for daily life. I use music and camera to take pics of my dog other than that my phone is a phone. Communication needs. Uninstalled those distraction apps folks your phone will still be operational 😂.
Another recommendation to reduce screen time would be to turn the screen's colour to greyscale in accessibility settings. I feel much less tempted to look at a black and white screen.
I have combined this tip with the back tap feature, so whenever I want to turn the screen to greyscale, I simply double tap on the back of the iPhone and that's it. Triple tap to switch back to colors!
I've watch several videos now about this subject and I must say your's has been the smartest. You've kept what you can use to better your life and removed the distraction. I am proud for you...
We are reading “The Opt Out Family” right now. Eye opening how they create all this to be addicting and how it’s changing the way our children’s brains are developing.
I love this so much. :) Thank you for sharing with the world. I do the same thing - simple as possible. I use cash whenever possible and I have no auto-pay bills. I do my own financing with pen and paper and pay my bills once a month. That helps me so much with my spending. If I don't have the cash to buy something, I don't buy it. I also use a disposable camera instead of my phone to take pictures and people love it. I am currently saving my own pictures too, to either print or keep on USB's. Watching us try to figure out technology is like watching monkeys. We just don't get it, because we don't need it. We're smarter - technology needs us, but we don't need...it.
My phone, a Motorola, has mostly the same functions as an iPhone but cheaper and has the ability to 'hide' apps on the screen that still exist within the phone. I deleted so much to the point where the only 18 visible apps I have: 1 for utilises, 3 for banking, 1 main food shop app, 1 bus pass, 4 texting/calls, personal gmail account, 1 for photos, camera, editing app for UA-cam, settings and google/chrome. I reinstall or download apps when I need them.
I'm doing the same currently. The only thing that really causes the most screen usage for me is youtube lol Either it's for daily devotionals on channels I follow or for news on what's going on in the world. Learning things and etc. So that's my current dilemma.
Well after going through the same stage, its about control. i was glued to yt. i had a very bad habbit of falling asleep while listening to a docu or something educational, it became a problem and i dumped my smartphone and got a dumb phone. First few days was tricky, i used my laptop heavily which was good because i work with my laptop. Everything became much more seamless. Emails, WA messages, everything was organized with work rather than causing a nuisance. After few months, i got my self an iPhone since i had to work on some software, it's my daily driver now but i don't have any social media apps or anything other than a good web browser. lol, GPS is something i missed allot, but heck it was fun not knowing where to go lol. But now i don't use it except for essential things like GPS, duh! Uber, Bank Transfers, Quick Notes, and Calls. That's it. I believe we all are looking for the same thing trying different methods out!!
Something that definitely worked for me if you have a partner/sibling set a limit on the addicted with a password that only your sibling or partner knows.
Tried a dumbphone. The slow old style texting method was a big pain. That was what made me switch back to a smart phone. However I no longer use my phone for social media, internet etc. I only use calls/texts, kindle app, calculator. I have a notebook for appointments, reminders, to-do lists etc. And for photos I use... an actual camera.
I love this video, you are so spot on! I have tried several times to make my phone into a dumb phone, but cave and install a lot of rubbish again that just proves to be a time suck that influences my mood in a bad way. After watching your video I did it again, but this time I disabled Safari. I had never thought of doing that, but wow, what a game changer! Like you I would uninstall my social media apps, shopping apps etc, but sneakily access it all via the browser. It's early days yet, but this feels absolutely wonderful and so freeing. I have subbed and look forward to more of your content! xx
thank you so much for sharing the story with your daughter! such an impactful image for me as well and by sharing, you help us too! thank you so much :)
Thank you for the inspiration. I too have already tried many methods, but they only help partially. Just removed almost everything, let's see how it works this time
Thanks for sharing Amanda! I’ve been in this process for a time… I also tried dumb phones and it did not work. Now I am in the same journey of turning my iPhone into a more or less dumb phone…
Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. Our kids deserve our full attention. Wise choice to get rid of meaningless distractions. DOes your relation to your kids changed because of this measures?
The easiest transition for people is to turn off notifications for all social media apps. That will keep you from checking your phone every time it lights up.
I left social media but my phone didn't get dumbed down. I find my phone and mind to be more useful without social media. I can stay better organized withoit the distractions which in the end saves time for family and other things i was missing in the real world
I keep reinstalling my browser, spotify, youtube, etc, so I tried parental controls, but then I'd disable them 😭 It's been easy to keep off spotify though! I started scrolling my weather and translation apps when I got bored, so I deleted those too. I wanna delete my Ring camera app but keep it for the safety of my family. The only thing is when I tried a point and shoot camera, the one I got is kind of a pain to use. I find phone cameras more convienient for speed and sharing pics with others, especially at concerts which I love going to, but maybe in the future i'll switch to another point and shoot camera!
I’ve been working on trying to dumb down my iPhone. I got a minimal phone app to help block things… but when it pops up I just go to the app and change the settings so I can use it again. I delete the apps from my phone, but download them again a few days later. The only thing that would work is if there was no possible way for me to redownload the apps. I would need to delete the App Store and I don’t know if you can even do that. But I also can’t get rid of my phone because of gps and banking apps. I need accountability, I’m frustrated.
i’ve removed a bunch of apps from my homescreen but they’re still in my app library and like i get so fucking bored i straight up have no idea what to do
Hi! Great video. I'd love to see how your computer is set up. I deleted a ton of apps too (weather, Venmo, mail) so only access that about twice a week or when needed on my laptop.
I can see about doing a video sharing my computer setup! (although it is very very minimal as well) lol I have an old macbook air (2013 I think). It is on its way out but I am trying hard to make it last! 😂 We also don't have a family computer, just the laptop and a tablet. So majority of things like email and stuff is all done on my laptop! I'll try and get to making a video about this :)
@@amandachaulk Thanks so much! Wait, that's too funny. I also have a 2013 MacBook Air (typing on it right now). I don't keep any files on it so it runs relatively smoothly.
Go to settings> screen time > content and privacy restrictions > allowed apps and features > disable Safari and have someone you know choose the password to re-enable
04:29 Don't feel bad if this is you're in the same boat. These giant corporations spend billions of dollars every year perfecting their algorithms to make you addicted.
@@Kharshnv Not OP, but I have disabled Safari. It's still installed but I cannot see it or access it. You go to Settings - Screen Time - Content and Privacy Restrictions - Allowed Apps and Features. There you untick Safari, and it will no longer show in your App Library
@@Nomadrunner I found that it puts safari right back on there if someone send you a link in text and you click it. Safari opens right back up with that link.
May I ask you how you turned your screen totally black without that transparant blocks in your app library? I don’t know how to call them. Greetings from the Netherlands
I like the minimalist phone look. But I don't agree with turning your smart phone to unsmart phone. If you don't want to smart phone don't buy it on the first place
I used my iPhone in the pandemic for 12 hours, which is insane. I urgently needed to change my habits, I was decreasing my screen time to 7hrs, 6hrs, 4hs and today I’m at 3.5hrs, even using it at work. I hope I can decrease even more
What are your thoughts on dumbing down your phone? Would you try it? :)
New subscriber 😊 your video really spoke to me. I just deleted a handful of apps (Wells Fargo I can just get email notifications of charges, plant watering reminder app, bitmoji). Others I’m struggling with like Venmo, find my iPhone (my husband and I always share location), gas buddy, period tracking, meditation, Libby (audiobooks). I think those are helpful enough and not distracting that I’ll keep them.
i love the idea
Great video. Just what I was looking for. I've been trying to minimize my phone use for a few years now but I recently noticed that my screen time went up again. I've been thinking about my first iPhone (back in 2010) and how it felt more like a tool. After seeing this video I deleted some more apps. Let's find out how this goes. I also like the idea of shifting more things, like the photo library, to the computer. Greetings from the Netherlands.
I'd love to but I'm waiting after i start my new job :) thank you for the great sharing , much love from Singapore 😊
Definitely . A wise move .
my daily usage was 12 hours a day last week. im gonna throw it out the window i guess
Search Jose Briones. He explains the different categories of feature phones. His #1 phone is the light phone.
😂 I feel you, I used my phone for working and gosh I love me some good video to listen to on UA-cam, so that’s my go to.
I don’t have dumb phone cause I’m not obsessed with social media like FB IG TT etc. Only will check on them for few minutes, sometimes it would last for an hour if I got distracted.
But YT is a different platform, it’s where we can learn a lot of things. And listening to free music instead of Spotify, save a bit of bills 😊
Her obsession with having phone on her is something I can relate to😂 but not with dump phone though, and it’s okay.
Jesus. Doing this everyday means half your life wasted away in a smartphone...
My screen time on my iPhone 13 mini is an hour a day. I have no social media installed, no games, no media content. These days you still need a smartphone for banking, gps and email, those apps are very essential for daily life. I use music and camera to take pics of my dog other than that my phone is a phone. Communication needs. Uninstalled those distraction apps folks your phone will still be operational 😂.
yes exactly! so many distraction apps! Thanks for sharing :)
Another mini user here👋👋
You can download offline maps to use gps without the internet. Also see if your bank offers text notifications for your bank account.
Another recommendation to reduce screen time would be to turn the screen's colour to greyscale in accessibility settings. I feel much less tempted to look at a black and white screen.
I have heard of this! I should try that as well. Great suggestion! :)
idk why but it helped with my eyes setting it to that it didn’t really
help me sadly LOL
I have combined this tip with the back tap feature, so whenever I want to turn the screen to greyscale, I simply double tap on the back of the iPhone and that's it. Triple tap to switch back to colors!
I've watch several videos now about this subject and I must say your's has been the smartest. You've kept what you can use to better your life and removed the distraction. I am proud for you...
thank you so much! :)
Wow, I never even thought about just deleting the browser. Might have to give this a shot.
We are reading “The Opt Out Family” right now. Eye opening how they create all this to be addicting and how it’s changing the way our children’s brains are developing.
I just finished "The Anxious Generation." Same idea. Totally insane.
I love this so much. :) Thank you for sharing with the world.
I do the same thing - simple as possible. I use cash whenever possible and I have no auto-pay bills. I do my own financing with pen and paper and pay my bills once a month. That helps me so much with my spending. If I don't have the cash to buy something, I don't buy it. I also use a disposable camera instead of my phone to take pictures and people love it. I am currently saving my own pictures too, to either print or keep on USB's. Watching us try to figure out technology is like watching monkeys. We just don't get it, because we don't need it. We're smarter - technology needs us, but we don't need...it.
My phone, a Motorola, has mostly the same functions as an iPhone but cheaper and has the ability to 'hide' apps on the screen that still exist within the phone.
I deleted so much to the point where the only 18 visible apps I have:
1 for utilises, 3 for banking, 1 main food shop app, 1 bus pass, 4 texting/calls, personal gmail account, 1 for photos, camera, editing app for UA-cam, settings and google/chrome. I reinstall or download apps when I need them.
I'm doing the same currently. The only thing that really causes the most screen usage for me is youtube lol
Either it's for daily devotionals on channels I follow or for news on what's going on in the world. Learning things and etc. So that's my current dilemma.
Yes!!! This is the exact same for me. I know I have an issue because the thought of removing it makes me nervous. So sad, but true.
Your iPhone setup is the neatest I have seen yet
Offline is the new luxury.
Well after going through the same stage, its about control. i was glued to yt. i had a very bad habbit of falling asleep while listening to a docu or something educational, it became a problem and i dumped my smartphone and got a dumb phone. First few days was tricky, i used my laptop heavily which was good because i work with my laptop. Everything became much more seamless. Emails, WA messages, everything was organized with work rather than causing a nuisance.
After few months, i got my self an iPhone since i had to work on some software, it's my daily driver now but i don't have any social media apps or anything other than a good web browser. lol,
GPS is something i missed allot, but heck it was fun not knowing where to go lol. But now i don't use it except for essential things like GPS, duh! Uber, Bank Transfers, Quick Notes, and Calls. That's it.
I believe we all are looking for the same thing trying different methods out!!
Something that definitely worked for me if you have a partner/sibling set a limit on the addicted with a password that only your sibling or partner knows.
Tried a dumbphone. The slow old style texting method was a big pain. That was what made me switch back to a smart phone. However I no longer use my phone for social media, internet etc. I only use calls/texts, kindle app, calculator. I have a notebook for appointments, reminders, to-do lists etc. And for photos I use... an actual camera.
I love this video, you are so spot on! I have tried several times to make my phone into a dumb phone, but cave and install a lot of rubbish again that just proves to be a time suck that influences my mood in a bad way. After watching your video I did it again, but this time I disabled Safari. I had never thought of doing that, but wow, what a game changer! Like you I would uninstall my social media apps, shopping apps etc, but sneakily access it all via the browser.
It's early days yet, but this feels absolutely wonderful and so freeing. I have subbed and look forward to more of your content! xx
thank you so much for sharing the story with your daughter! such an impactful image for me as well and by sharing, you help us too! thank you so much :)
You’re so welcome! 🙏🏼🥰
All screens....my computer is my weakness. Thanks for the video...some great ideas.
Thank you for the inspiration. I too have already tried many methods, but they only help partially. Just removed almost everything, let's see how it works this time
Very helpful. Thank you ma'am.
It's a really successful and useful video, thank you.
Thanks for sharing Amanda! I’ve been in this process for a time… I also tried dumb phones and it did not work. Now I am in the same journey of turning my iPhone into a more or less dumb phone…
Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. Our kids deserve our full attention. Wise choice to get rid of meaningless distractions. DOes your relation to your kids changed because of this measures?
Chaulk this up to a good idea!!
Touché ! 😂
The easiest transition for people is to turn off notifications for all social media apps. That will keep you from checking your phone every time it lights up.
tbh, this made me check up my phone more often to see if someone send me something or liked my pictures lol
that deleting of the notes app and weather and those things that is a little extreme but otherwise a great video
My average is around 4h a day and at this point Im going insane at how much I'm wasting my my day
After using for 14 hours a day i disabled youtube in phone. Now I use youtube sometimes in tablet
I left social media but my phone didn't get dumbed down. I find my phone and mind to be more useful without social media. I can stay better organized withoit the distractions which in the end saves time for family and other things i was missing in the real world
Wow, I never even thought about doing that
I keep reinstalling my browser, spotify, youtube, etc, so I tried parental controls, but then I'd disable them 😭 It's been easy to keep off spotify though! I started scrolling my weather and translation apps when I got bored, so I deleted those too. I wanna delete my Ring camera app but keep it for the safety of my family. The only thing is when I tried a point and shoot camera, the one I got is kind of a pain to use. I find phone cameras more convienient for speed and sharing pics with others, especially at concerts which I love going to, but maybe in the future i'll switch to another point and shoot camera!
FWIW the first quote is Seneca
I’ve been working on trying to dumb down my iPhone. I got a minimal phone app to help block things… but when it pops up I just go to the app and change the settings so I can use it again. I delete the apps from my phone, but download them again a few days later. The only thing that would work is if there was no possible way for me to redownload the apps. I would need to delete the App Store and I don’t know if you can even do that. But I also can’t get rid of my phone because of gps and banking apps.
I need accountability, I’m frustrated.
I love this! I am in the exact same boat. Just disabled Chrome (android- won't let me delete it) but now it is not visable.
Oh wow! I did not know that android won't let you delete it. That's crazy lol
@@amandachaulk iPhone won’t let you delete safari
i’ve removed a bunch of apps from my homescreen but they’re still in my app library and like i get so fucking bored i straight up have no idea what to do
I did something similar with my Garmin Fenix 6xPro watch, it last alot more.
Hi! Great video. I'd love to see how your computer is set up. I deleted a ton of apps too (weather, Venmo, mail) so only access that about twice a week or when needed on my laptop.
I can see about doing a video sharing my computer setup! (although it is very very minimal as well) lol I have an old macbook air (2013 I think). It is on its way out but I am trying hard to make it last! 😂 We also don't have a family computer, just the laptop and a tablet. So majority of things like email and stuff is all done on my laptop! I'll try and get to making a video about this :)
@@amandachaulk Thanks so much! Wait, that's too funny. I also have a 2013 MacBook Air (typing on it right now). I don't keep any files on it so it runs relatively smoothly.
How do you actually remove the browser from an iPhone? Mine says I can not delete safari 🤔 it can only be hidden in the App Library.
Go to settings> screen time > content and privacy restrictions > allowed apps and features > disable Safari and have someone you know choose the password to re-enable
04:29 Don't feel bad if this is you're in the same boat. These giant corporations spend billions of dollars every year perfecting their algorithms to make you addicted.
I wish I could delete some of the applications built into the phone and I can't delete them
lol 3 hours screen time, mines at 6/7
But apple won't let you delete safari right?
I was able to delete it! :)
@@amandachaulkhow did you do it??
@@Kharshnv Not OP, but I have disabled Safari. It's still installed but I cannot see it or access it. You go to Settings - Screen Time - Content and Privacy Restrictions - Allowed Apps and Features. There you untick Safari, and it will no longer show in your App Library
@@Nomadrunner I found that it puts safari right back on there if someone send you a link in text and you click it. Safari opens right back up with that link.
@@BBunch9 It doesn't for me, my links simply don't work with it disabled x
May I ask you how you turned your screen totally black without that transparant blocks in your app library? I don’t know how to call them.
Greetings from the Netherlands
What about safari?😂
Honestly could've just bought a low power smartphone instead. It'd save on a ton of battery too.
What's a low power smartphone? I haven't heard of that?
my screen time is 10 hrs a day !! 😭😭😭😭
me with 7 hours average 😐
First view xD
my average usage is 8 hours.
Is that mostly social media or other types of apps?
ever used an android? an iphone is a dumb phone...
lol touché
I like the minimalist phone look. But I don't agree with turning your smart phone to unsmart phone. If you don't want to smart phone don't buy it on the first place
I used my iPhone in the pandemic for 12 hours, which is insane. I urgently needed to change my habits, I was decreasing my screen time to 7hrs, 6hrs, 4hs and today I’m at 3.5hrs, even using it at work. I hope I can decrease even more