How to Turn Your iPhone into a Dumbphone on iOS 26?
Okay, distractions are just too much—you’ve decided to switch to a dumbphone. Well… yes, but not completely. What about GPS? Photos? And honestly, isn’t that a bit radical and over the top? Stop overthinking it: this article will show you how to keep your iPhone while making it as dumb as possible (and for free).
Dumbphones
Dumbphones
Dumbphones
23 sept. 2025
5 min
Why Your iPhone is So Good at Stealing Your Attention
It’s not your fault, it's the business model rewards
In short: more time = more taps = more money.
Most large platforms make their money from advertising or from services that benefit when you spend more time in apps. Put simply: time-on-device and engagement are key levers for revenue.
And this why GAFAM won’t fix this for you.
This isn’t about villainy; it’s about incentives. When advertising, app marketplaces, and subscription funnels benefit from more engagement, there’s structural pressure to prioritize features that increase time-on-device. Meta’s public metrics emphasize usage and ad delivery. Alphabet’s business remains heavily tied to ads. Amazon’s ad revenue is booming. Apple’s Services growth includes advertising and App Store sales. None of that aligns with getting you off your phone.
So don’t wait for Big Tech to take the wheel for you. The practical path is to change your environment so that the default is calm and the distractions are opt-in.
Turn Your iPhone into a “Dumbphone” on iOS 26
This tutorial is optimized for iOS 26. If your iPhone isn’t up to date yet, make sure to update it first.
#1 — Clear Your Home Screen
The goal of your Home Screen isn’t to be flooded with random, distracting, or useless apps. It should only keep your true essentials. Let’s break it down into two steps:
At the top of the screen, keep 6 apps. These should be apps you use daily—ones that are genuinely useful and help you accomplish positive things in your life. Naturally, that excludes social media and shopping apps.
At the bottom, keep only 3 apps. These are the core essentials of any phone: iMessage, Phone, and Safari (Messaging, Calls, and Internet—the basics of a good old 2000s phone).
As for the rest, you can either delete them completely (goodbye to unnecessary apps and endless games—if it’s available on the web, you can live without it), or simply remove them from your Home Screen. This way, they’re still on your phone, just not front and center.
#2 — Choose a Neutral Wallpaper
You might not notice it, but your wallpaper can also impact your ability to focus. The best choice is something as neutral as possible:
A solid, calm color (black, white, or gray).
Abstract, non-stimulating patterns.
A peaceful element, like a touch of nature.
#3 — Block Non-Essential Apps
Even with a stripped-down Home Screen, it’s tempting to dive into the App Library. That’s why it’s best to block all “non-essential” apps by default to remove the temptation entirely.
For that, we recommend Jomo—available for free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Once installed, you can create a “Session”—a rule that blocks distracting or non-essential apps for a set period of time. You can configure it so that apps stay blocked at all times, only allowing you a few minutes per day. You decide both how many times you can open them and how much time you’re willing to spend on them.
The other great part of this method? By blocking access, it also silences notifications—so you won’t have any reason (or excuse) to go back anytime soon!
Why Your iPhone is So Good at Stealing Your Attention
It’s not your fault, it's the business model rewards
In short: more time = more taps = more money.
Most large platforms make their money from advertising or from services that benefit when you spend more time in apps. Put simply: time-on-device and engagement are key levers for revenue.
And this why GAFAM won’t fix this for you.
This isn’t about villainy; it’s about incentives. When advertising, app marketplaces, and subscription funnels benefit from more engagement, there’s structural pressure to prioritize features that increase time-on-device. Meta’s public metrics emphasize usage and ad delivery. Alphabet’s business remains heavily tied to ads. Amazon’s ad revenue is booming. Apple’s Services growth includes advertising and App Store sales. None of that aligns with getting you off your phone.
So don’t wait for Big Tech to take the wheel for you. The practical path is to change your environment so that the default is calm and the distractions are opt-in.
Turn Your iPhone into a “Dumbphone” on iOS 26
This tutorial is optimized for iOS 26. If your iPhone isn’t up to date yet, make sure to update it first.
#1 — Clear Your Home Screen
The goal of your Home Screen isn’t to be flooded with random, distracting, or useless apps. It should only keep your true essentials. Let’s break it down into two steps:
At the top of the screen, keep 6 apps. These should be apps you use daily—ones that are genuinely useful and help you accomplish positive things in your life. Naturally, that excludes social media and shopping apps.
At the bottom, keep only 3 apps. These are the core essentials of any phone: iMessage, Phone, and Safari (Messaging, Calls, and Internet—the basics of a good old 2000s phone).
As for the rest, you can either delete them completely (goodbye to unnecessary apps and endless games—if it’s available on the web, you can live without it), or simply remove them from your Home Screen. This way, they’re still on your phone, just not front and center.
#2 — Choose a Neutral Wallpaper
You might not notice it, but your wallpaper can also impact your ability to focus. The best choice is something as neutral as possible:
A solid, calm color (black, white, or gray).
Abstract, non-stimulating patterns.
A peaceful element, like a touch of nature.
#3 — Block Non-Essential Apps
Even with a stripped-down Home Screen, it’s tempting to dive into the App Library. That’s why it’s best to block all “non-essential” apps by default to remove the temptation entirely.
For that, we recommend Jomo—available for free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Once installed, you can create a “Session”—a rule that blocks distracting or non-essential apps for a set period of time. You can configure it so that apps stay blocked at all times, only allowing you a few minutes per day. You decide both how many times you can open them and how much time you’re willing to spend on them.
The other great part of this method? By blocking access, it also silences notifications—so you won’t have any reason (or excuse) to go back anytime soon!
Why Your iPhone is So Good at Stealing Your Attention
It’s not your fault, it's the business model rewards
In short: more time = more taps = more money.
Most large platforms make their money from advertising or from services that benefit when you spend more time in apps. Put simply: time-on-device and engagement are key levers for revenue.
And this why GAFAM won’t fix this for you.
This isn’t about villainy; it’s about incentives. When advertising, app marketplaces, and subscription funnels benefit from more engagement, there’s structural pressure to prioritize features that increase time-on-device. Meta’s public metrics emphasize usage and ad delivery. Alphabet’s business remains heavily tied to ads. Amazon’s ad revenue is booming. Apple’s Services growth includes advertising and App Store sales. None of that aligns with getting you off your phone.
So don’t wait for Big Tech to take the wheel for you. The practical path is to change your environment so that the default is calm and the distractions are opt-in.
Turn Your iPhone into a “Dumbphone” on iOS 26
This tutorial is optimized for iOS 26. If your iPhone isn’t up to date yet, make sure to update it first.
#1 — Clear Your Home Screen
The goal of your Home Screen isn’t to be flooded with random, distracting, or useless apps. It should only keep your true essentials. Let’s break it down into two steps:
At the top of the screen, keep 6 apps. These should be apps you use daily—ones that are genuinely useful and help you accomplish positive things in your life. Naturally, that excludes social media and shopping apps.
At the bottom, keep only 3 apps. These are the core essentials of any phone: iMessage, Phone, and Safari (Messaging, Calls, and Internet—the basics of a good old 2000s phone).
As for the rest, you can either delete them completely (goodbye to unnecessary apps and endless games—if it’s available on the web, you can live without it), or simply remove them from your Home Screen. This way, they’re still on your phone, just not front and center.
#2 — Choose a Neutral Wallpaper
You might not notice it, but your wallpaper can also impact your ability to focus. The best choice is something as neutral as possible:
A solid, calm color (black, white, or gray).
Abstract, non-stimulating patterns.
A peaceful element, like a touch of nature.
#3 — Block Non-Essential Apps
Even with a stripped-down Home Screen, it’s tempting to dive into the App Library. That’s why it’s best to block all “non-essential” apps by default to remove the temptation entirely.
For that, we recommend Jomo—available for free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Once installed, you can create a “Session”—a rule that blocks distracting or non-essential apps for a set period of time. You can configure it so that apps stay blocked at all times, only allowing you a few minutes per day. You decide both how many times you can open them and how much time you’re willing to spend on them.
The other great part of this method? By blocking access, it also silences notifications—so you won’t have any reason (or excuse) to go back anytime soon!
Your Phone, Your Rules.
Block apps. Limit time. Grow better habits. Endless possibilities.
Try for free
Your Phone, Your Rules.
Block apps. Limit time. Grow better habits. Endless possibilities.
Try for free
Your Phone, Your Rules.
Block apps. Limit time. Grow better habits. Endless possibilities.
Try for free
Quick FAQ
Will I miss something important?
Keep Phone and Messages fully available. For work, let through your manager/team in a Focus. Everything else can wait a few minutes—by design.
The rest isn’t really that important—is it? You might feel like you’re missing out, but are you really? Most features aren’t designed to serve you or improve your life; they’re built to boost user retention—how long you stay on the apps and how often you come back.
Isn’t this extreme?
The idea might sound crazy to some, but let’s look at it differently. It’s minimal, not monastic. You can open any app.
It’s like struggling to control your sugar intake—would you leave an open bag of candy next to you all the time, or would you try to keep it out of sight?
In the end, you’re not throwing away your iPhone—you’re just adding a bit of friction between yourself and the ultra-distracting, addictive services it offers.
Can’t platforms fix this?
Some do add wellness features, but as long as ad and services revenue scale with engagement, incentives won’t magically flip.
Honestly, considering how much revenue platforms make every month from ads and in-app purchases… I don’t think you should count on them too much. That’s why you redesign your environment.
If Meta’s services aren’t listed in this table, it’s because they don’t have in-app purchases. Don’t worry though—they make plenty from ads.
A Final Thought
You don’t need a brick-phone to live like a human again. A few intentional design choices are a good start to turn an addictive pocket computer into a calm tool you control. If you try this for one week, you’ll likely feel the difference on day two.
Breathe. Call who you meant to call. Send the message. Look up the thing. Then put the phone down. You’ve got this. 🫶
Quick FAQ
Will I miss something important?
Keep Phone and Messages fully available. For work, let through your manager/team in a Focus. Everything else can wait a few minutes—by design.
The rest isn’t really that important—is it? You might feel like you’re missing out, but are you really? Most features aren’t designed to serve you or improve your life; they’re built to boost user retention—how long you stay on the apps and how often you come back.
Isn’t this extreme?
The idea might sound crazy to some, but let’s look at it differently. It’s minimal, not monastic. You can open any app.
It’s like struggling to control your sugar intake—would you leave an open bag of candy next to you all the time, or would you try to keep it out of sight?
In the end, you’re not throwing away your iPhone—you’re just adding a bit of friction between yourself and the ultra-distracting, addictive services it offers.
Can’t platforms fix this?
Some do add wellness features, but as long as ad and services revenue scale with engagement, incentives won’t magically flip.
Honestly, considering how much revenue platforms make every month from ads and in-app purchases… I don’t think you should count on them too much. That’s why you redesign your environment.
If Meta’s services aren’t listed in this table, it’s because they don’t have in-app purchases. Don’t worry though—they make plenty from ads.
A Final Thought
You don’t need a brick-phone to live like a human again. A few intentional design choices are a good start to turn an addictive pocket computer into a calm tool you control. If you try this for one week, you’ll likely feel the difference on day two.
Breathe. Call who you meant to call. Send the message. Look up the thing. Then put the phone down. You’ve got this. 🫶
Quick FAQ
Will I miss something important?
Keep Phone and Messages fully available. For work, let through your manager/team in a Focus. Everything else can wait a few minutes—by design.
The rest isn’t really that important—is it? You might feel like you’re missing out, but are you really? Most features aren’t designed to serve you or improve your life; they’re built to boost user retention—how long you stay on the apps and how often you come back.
Isn’t this extreme?
The idea might sound crazy to some, but let’s look at it differently. It’s minimal, not monastic. You can open any app.
It’s like struggling to control your sugar intake—would you leave an open bag of candy next to you all the time, or would you try to keep it out of sight?
In the end, you’re not throwing away your iPhone—you’re just adding a bit of friction between yourself and the ultra-distracting, addictive services it offers.
Can’t platforms fix this?
Some do add wellness features, but as long as ad and services revenue scale with engagement, incentives won’t magically flip.
Honestly, considering how much revenue platforms make every month from ads and in-app purchases… I don’t think you should count on them too much. That’s why you redesign your environment.
If Meta’s services aren’t listed in this table, it’s because they don’t have in-app purchases. Don’t worry though—they make plenty from ads.
A Final Thought
You don’t need a brick-phone to live like a human again. A few intentional design choices are a good start to turn an addictive pocket computer into a calm tool you control. If you try this for one week, you’ll likely feel the difference on day two.
Breathe. Call who you meant to call. Send the message. Look up the thing. Then put the phone down. You’ve got this. 🫶
Credits
Photographies and illustrations by Unsplash and Pexels. Tutorial and screenshots by Jomo. Graphics by AppFigures and App Economy Insights.
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The Joy Of Missing Out
© Fabriqué en Europe. Tous droits réservés à Jomo SAS, 2025
The Joy Of Missing Out
© Fabriqué en Europe. Tous droits réservés à Jomo SAS, 2025
The Joy Of Missing Out
© Fabriqué en Europe. Tous droits réservés à Jomo SAS, 2025