We're all used to the amazing features of the modern smartphone, such as a high-resolution camera and GPS in your pocket. However, some of us realize smartphones are causing problems in our life but aren't quite ready to make the switch to a flip phone.

Fortunately, there are ways to maintain access to features we can't live without (like your GPS and high-resolution camera), while greatly restricting the more intrusive smartphone features.

Tech Lockdown is dedicated to helping people find healthy ways to restrict their internet-connected devices. Instead of using an older phone (i.e. flip phone), you could instead use a " Healthy Smartphone ". 

If you want to have the most possible control over your device, then the best option is to configure you own device to match you needs. There are a few options that we've found can significantly reduce your distractions and available features on an Android Smartphone.

Use a Minimalist Home Screen App Launcher

Olauncher is a minimal Android app launcher that simplifies your home screen to a list of text, instead of flashy app icons:

This can seriously cut down on the number of times you compulsively open an app on your home screen. It can be installed directly from the  Google PlayStore , or installed as an APK on its  github page .  

OLauncher allows you to search for apps that you've installed as well:

Set your Screen to Grayscale

Another way to simplify your phone and reduce distractions on your Android device is to enable Grayscale. While it won't completely remove distractions, it will make flashy videos or images a lot less interesting.

To apply Grayscale on your Android Smartphone, you can search your settings for "grayscale". You can usually find it under Accessibility Settings.

Filter Content with an Always-on VPN

You can use a DNS Filter on your Android phone, which will enable an always-on VPN that allows you to control what online content can be accessed.

Here are some things you can use a DNS Filter for to make your smartphone less appealing:

Block YouTube Thumbnails

Make YouTube less interesting by blocking clickbait thumbnails.

For example, I can update my Tech Lockdown Content Policy to include a Block rule for YouTube images:

When I install the DNS Filter on my Android device, or I'm using my home internet connection that also uses the DNS Filter, YouTube thumbnails will not be displayed:

Schedule Usage of Distracting Websites and Apps

Another strategy I use it to schedule when I can use websites and apps that tend to make my Android phone feel way too appealing.

For example, I use my Tech Lockdown Content Policy to unblock news and certain social media websites on my lunch break. Otherwise, these websites and apps are blocked:

Block Distracting or Problematic Websites

Some categories and apps should be blocked always.

For example, using my Tech Lockdown Content Policy, I've created a few rules that always block TikTok , Security Threats, and Adult Content and even enforce SafeSearch on Google , Bing, and other supported search engines.

One of the most useful features a DNS Filter offers you is the ability to block websites, or whole categories of websites.

To prevent myself from simply logging in and bypassing these rules, I lock my Tech Lockdown profile.

This ensures that I can't compulsively make the Content Policy less restrictive but I can still add to it.

Manage your Android Device to Customize Available Features

You can use a Mobile Device Manager (MDM) to make and enforce profiles on your smartphone that can't be changed from the smartphone itself.

An MDM is a software application that allows users to remotely manage and control devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Here are some of the ways you can use a MDM to go further than what a standard Android smartphone allows you to do.

Prevent Installing Unapproved Apps

You can block all downloadable apps by default and only allow downloading apps that you have explicitly approved.

This means that you don't have to specify the apps you want to block , you only have to focus on the apps you want to allow.

Disable the Android Browser

Disabling the Android browser effectively removes the ability to use any web-browser app on your smartphone.

The default android browser app will be removed and your device won't allow you to install browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox.

Web Content Filter Allow-only Mode

An alternative to disabling Android Browser is web content filtering with allow-only mode. This allows you to block all websites by default while only allowing access to specific websites that you have explicitly approved. 

Android provides a built-in Web Content Filter that you can enable. The nice thing about this filter is that it can be used in combination with a DNS filter, like the Always-on VPN we talked about earlier in this guide.

If you are concerned about bypass prevention, having multiple methods of blocking content is a great strategy.

Web content filter settings apply to web browsers downloaded on the device and shouldn't impact other apps that use the internet.

Kiosk Mode

Kiosk mode allows you to enable the most restrictive mode where you can further customize the features available on the device.

You can enforce Kiosk mode with your MDM. Here's my Android phone running in kiosk mode in Multi App Mode:

Notice that it looks like a standard Android phone, but I'm not able to access device settings or load a web browser or the Google play store.

Here are the features to consider when creating a dumb phone using Kiosk mode:

Block Task Manager (Samsung phones only)

In some cases, this can remove the Force Stop function used to quit apps from the app's settings page. This is useful when combined with a filtering app.

Restrict access to unapproved WiFi networks

You can prevent connecting to WiFi networks that weren't configured by the Mobile Device Manager. 

Allowed apps

Specify the apps (including system apps) that can be accessed. Apps that aren't specified on this list can't be accessed while Kiosk mode is running. 

Consider blocking access to the following Android features by not including them in the Allowed Apps list:

1. General Settings app
2. Web Browsers
3. Google Play store or Android App Store

If Google Play store is enabled and you download a new app, it will only be accessible if you update your Kiosk mode settings to add that app to the Allowed Apps list. 

Hidden apps

Specify apps that should run on the device but not be visible to the user. This is useful if you are using a filtering app and you haven't blocked web browsers. In this case, you can run a filtering app in the background and prevent it from being disabled by blocking access to General Settings (see allowed apps section). 

Closing Thoughts

Whether you're interested in more control over your own device or prefer an out-of-the-box solution, there are several different ways to make a smart phone a dumb phone.

If you have more patience, we recommend simplifying your current Android phone. Otherwise, it makes sense to purchase a pre-configured Android phone.