# Thoughts About Ditching my Smart Phone **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 4, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196 "2025-06-04T14:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/1 "2025-06-04T14:38:31Z")
I was thinking about (mostly) ditching my smart phone. My idea was to put the SIM card in a flip phone and keep the other one on hand mainly for GPS, music, and podcasts in my car. I wish I could keep it in my car but with Michigan winters, probably not. I realize this is a bit extreme, but other attempts at intervention have failed. Has anyone successfully done this? Has anyone had success with alternative ideas? I just can’t seem to get away from it, and I’m tired of it. I would go whole hog if it wasn’t for GPS, music, and podcasts. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/2 "2025-06-04T15:42:07Z")
Why? Do you feel you’re addicted to it and this is to get you to stop using it? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/3 "2025-06-04T16:01:40Z")
I know several folks who exist without smart phones. The music/map/podcast need is just an excuse. Before smart phones what did you do? Landline, Radio, reading, an atlas. Yep. Just an excuse. Try this. Power it down. Put it in a drawer. I bet you"ll live. People I know w/o smart phones are often asking me to use an app for them. Which is really irritating. You can’t make a stand and then cheat. Cold turkey. I wish you luck. It will be difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/4 "2025-06-04T16:11:47Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Before smart phones what did you do? Landline, Radio, reading, an atlas. Pay phones…oh, wait. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/5 "2025-06-04T16:26:59Z")
I would try it for a few weeks and see if you can live without it. I’m not addicted to my phone, but I like being able to reach people, and be reached, any time of the day or night, no matter where I am. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/6 "2025-06-04T16:29:57Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Before smart phones what did you do? Landline, Radio, reading, an atlas. Yep. Just an excuse. I was born in 1983. I used to live in an analog world. Before GPS I was lost all the time. I have the worst sense of direction. I find being lost scary and humiliating. I have to believe GPS-dedicated machines are still a thing, though. Radio does not cover podcasts, especially not the ones I listen to. Podcasts are one of the best things to ever happen to radio, but what’s available on the radio pales in comparison to the wide range of options in a podcast app. I have a Boox Palma which might help me get around that, but I’ve never tried to connect it to my car. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Try this. Power it down. Put it in a drawer. You think I haven’t tried this? > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Why? Do you feel you’re addicted to it and this is to get you to stop using it? Yes, though I’m not sure addiction is the word I’d use. I feel it’s killing my creativity. I think idle brain time is an important part of the creative process. The thing that really gets me is I lose track of time very easily, or end up not doing something I meant to do, even a fun thing. I’m trying a new thing where I uninstall an app every time I’m done using it. We’ll see how it goes. I’m not on social media, except I guess, sometimes, Reddit, but I wouldn’t miss Reddit. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/7 "2025-06-04T16:37:31Z")
You could try backing into the future: flip phone for calls and texts, get a dedicated GPS unit (used or new) and an old non-cellular (wifi only) music / podcast player. It’s not ideal, but it’ll keep the immediate distraction from being on you at all times. Alternately, you could have a family member set up “parental controls” on your smartphone with a daily screen-time limit, which you could ask them to take off for times where you need more access for travel or the like. It has the advantage of being cheap! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/8 "2025-06-04T16:40:08Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Yes, though I’m not sure addiction is the word I’d use. I feel it’s killing my creativity. I think idle brain time is an important part of the creative process. Good, reason, but the thing has an off button. I’ve learned not to jump every time the thing beeps. But I grew up way pre-phone. And I stash it in my office when I go to bed, so it won’t disturb me and so I have no desire to check it in the middle of the night. Now if I could crack the YouTube habit … ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/9 "2025-06-04T16:42:40Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > …the thing has an off button. This seems like a reasonable first step. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/10 "2025-06-04T16:48:19Z")
This^. Spice, I’m not saying you _not_ trying. Dance instructor once told me, “Trying ain’t doing” You’re really gonna struggle if you can’t get over your fear of being lost. Podcasts can’t really help you much. It’s entertainment. Admit it. You like this ability. All music and entertainment (I know you’re a gamer too)at your fingertips, in your ear. In an instant. This may be harder than a food addiction. You obviously feel you have a problem. Boring, I know…and over-used, but “That’s half the battle” ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/11 "2025-06-04T17:06:00Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Has anyone had success with alternative ideas? Failure, but maybe it will work for you? I don’t have a problem (I can quit any time!), but my wife tried using the screen time restriction features on her devices to cut back on usage. Problem was, she’d just give herself more time, so ended up disabling it as pointless. If that is enough of a nudge to get you to put the phone down, then give it a try. I suspect if off and in a drawer wasn’t good enough, then an easily bypassable restriction won’t be either. Perhaps you can put your screentime controls into kid mode, so your partner, or someone else, needs to grant you more screen time. You can’t just allow it yourself. I can really see that being a way towards resentment going both directions, though, so make sure this is something that fits with your relationship before doing it. In summary, the screentime limiters are builtin to Apple and Android, so easy to try, but probably won’t be effective. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/12 "2025-06-04T17:25:08Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > And I stash it in my office when I go to bed, so it won’t disturb me and so I have no desire to check it in the middle of the night. That’s one thing I’ve mastered, at least. I usually put my phone away around 8pm and it stays charging in the kitchen until I next need to use it. Sometimes it’s as late as lunchtime the next day when I use it again. But it becomes a real problem when I do use it, for whatever reason. The phone won’t let me uninstall Chrome or YouTube. Chrome in particular is probably my worst time waster. Discord is a close second. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/13 "2025-06-04T17:41:52Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > The phone won’t let me uninstall Chrome or YouTube. Chrome in particular is probably my worst time waster. It’s such an affront that the device contains something that’s harming you, isn’t necessary, and can’t be removed. Remember that you own it, not the other way around. You’re free to throw it into the sea. Though I’ll give opinions anyway, I have not much standing to preach about tech addiction because I’ve got a real problem with desktop internet. But I’m old enough that the phone never took hold with me, thank God. I can barely use the thing, which gets embarrassing at times, but I’m OK with that. All good suggestions here. I’ll just add: make sure the device is not making a little sound when you get a message. (You should be checking your texts and other updates only because you want to, not because the phone tells you to.) And stay active in finding alternatives for everything good the phone now does for you. It can be a pain, but you can download podcasts and put them on media to be used in your car. USB thumb drive, in some cars? Or CD if you have to. This is crazy backwards technology, but if you had to, you could even get a cheap-o portable CD player for podcasts that sits in your passenger seat, right next to the Garmin GPS unit you’re going to get. Lots of luck!! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/14 "2025-06-04T17:50:28Z")
Yes. Turn notification beeps off. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/15 "2025-06-04T17:57:57Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I was born in 1983. I used to live in an analog world. You make it sound like that was a long time ago. You may be (just barely) old enough to remember an analog world, but you came of age, and mostly grew up, alongside the emergent digital / internet era. It’s commendable that you want to wean yourself off of digital dependence, but you make it sound like you long for a simpler time that you must just barely remember. I was born waaaaay back in 1964, and I resisted getting a cellphone for a long time, but now they’ll have to pry my smartphone from my cold, dead hands 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/16 "2025-06-04T18:43:21Z")
> [@solost](#): > > that you must just barely remember. Come on - she was 15 in 1998. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/17 "2025-06-04T18:53:02Z")
OK, to say that **Spice\_Weasel** barely remembers the analog era may be a bit of an exaggeration, to make a point (a point about how young she is! I wasn’t trying to insult her), but I’m not _that_ far off. 15 isn’t that old, and by 1998-99 the internet and cellphone usage among teens was hitting its stride. > **[Teen-Agers and Cell Phones: A Match Made in Gab Heaven (Published 1999)](https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/02/nyregion/teen-agers-and-cell-phones-a-match-made-in-gab-heaven.html)** > > Growing numbers of teen-agers nationwide have acquired cell phones in past years or so, trend sparked by recent drop in wireless phone service costs; Yankee Group reports that 20 percent of cell phone users believe it important for children to have... ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/18 "2025-06-04T19:16:48Z")
I can’t access the article, but I graduated from high school around then. My high school friends and I were just starting to use the internet, but I don’t think I knew too many kids (if any) with a cell phone. By the early 2000’s, yes; I definitely had one by 2005. But… the thing is, cell phones are still within the “analog era” in terms of user experience. I was a late smartphone adopter (I finally caved and got one in 2013? 2014?) partially because I knew that it would be terrible for me, I wouldn’t be able to stay away from it. And so it is. I’m the same. It’s like being an alcoholic in a drinking culture where it is unthinkable for anyone not to have alcohol in their hand at all times. Although the only saving grace for me is actually that my attention span is SO bad that I don’t have trouble with any one app for more than a few months, because I binge on it and then kind of get tired of it, lol. Anyway… am interested to see what you come up with. I know Garmin still makes standalone GPS (you can find it on amazon). Given that, maybe you could load music and podcasts on your SIM-card-less wireless-only-functional smartphone? Do cars these days let you load music and podcasts on them directly, or is it all mediated by smartphones now? (Our car will let you load music/podcasts via a USB drive, but it’s also ten years old.) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/19 "2025-06-04T19:30:08Z")
Thumb drive thingys are a dime a dozen. Most newer cars have the capability to accomodate. You can install a CD player. Heck, you can get nearly any music, on CD, you want at thrift stores, really cheap. I think we like the community aspect of listening to music and podcasts. It’s like you’re never alone. And you gotta have something to entertain you when you’re in waiting rooms. I remember when I had loads of dental work done at what seemed to me to be a cutting edge practice. Fancy, well-appointed, lounge like seating area. I was so happy when I got in the chair and the assistant handed me headphones and a controller. Pointed at a screen placed where I could see it, above me. I could pick anything to watch or listen to. Satellite TV. I thought, dang this is nice. Of course, nothing was ever on. Aaaaccccckkkk! ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196/20 "2025-06-04T19:36:32Z")
I understand the OP’s difficulties too. I was born in 84, and also struggle with excess tech usage in general. Not necessarily on the phone, but especially the SDMB… Anyway, for GPS you can just get a standalone car GPS. For music and podcasts, I think you can get a Kindle or Kobo and load podcasts and music onto them (if DRM free) and then use that to connect to your car’s Bluetooth. No-name manufacturers also make standalone double-DIN Android car radios if you just want to swap out your stock head unit with what is essentially a shitty Android tablet with a car interface. It can run Google Maps and download music on its own, presumably via wifi when parked at home. These run on terrible hardware and really old versions of Android, though, which is a usually a con… but in your case, maybe a pro? They’d be janky and shitty you wouldn’t want to use it unless you absolutely had to 🙂 I too wish I could give up smartphones, and all tech. I’m with @Beckdawrek here… seems like a mental self-discipline thing more than any one specific piece of tech or configuration. But that’s easier said than done =/ Maybe take a few months off work and go hike the AT/PCT/JMT with nothing electronic at all and see you how feel about it all afterward… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-ditching-my-smart-phone/1019196.md?page=2)