Turn Your Apple Watch into a Dumbphone – No, Seriously, It Works
Wait, Why Would Anyone Do This?
Okay, hear me out. You know that feeling when you pick up your phone to check the time, and suddenly it’s 30 minutes later and you’re watching a TikTok about underwater basket weaving? Yeah, me too. That’s the thing—our phones are basically distraction machines glued to our hands.
But here’s the kicker: your Apple Watch? It can actually be your escape route. No need to buy some clunky old-school phone. Let me show you how.
The Dumbphone Movement Isn’t Just Hipsters Being Weird
I used to think people using flip phones were just trying to be different. Then I read this study—can’t remember where exactly—that showed heavy smartphone users check their phones like 150 times a day. That’s insane! No wonder we’re all so stressed.
But here’s the problem: going full caveman with a basic phone isn’t practical for most of us. We still need to be reachable. That’s where the Apple Watch comes in—it’s like training wheels for digital minimalism.
How Your Watch Becomes Your Phone (Sort Of)
If you’ve got the cellular model (not all do—more on that later), your watch can actually:
- Make calls: Yeah, talking to your wrist feels weird at first, but you get used to it.
- Send texts: Voice-to-text works surprisingly well, though typing? Forget about it.
- Basic navigation: Enough to keep you from getting lost, not enough to fall into Google Maps hell for hours.
It’s not perfect, but that’s kind of the point. The limitations force you to actually live your life.
Setting This Up (It’s Easier Than You Think)
First Things First: Check Your Watch Model
Not all watches have cellular—look for the little red dot on the crown. No red dot? Sorry, you’ll need your phone nearby. But if you’ve got it, call your carrier. Most plans add about $10/month. Not free, but cheaper than a second phone.
Kill Those Notifications
Here’s what you do: Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Notifications, and go nuclear. Keep texts and calls—that’s it. Email? Gone. Social media? Bye. News alerts? See ya.
Pro tip: Do this at night when you’re feeling particularly annoyed at technology. You’ll be more ruthless.
Hide the Tempting Apps
Long press on your watch face, hit “Edit,” and start removing anything that might tempt you. I kept Phone, Messages, and the timer—because adulting.
Use Focus Mode Like a Boss
Set up a new Focus mode called “Minimal” or “Don’t Bother Me.” Schedule it for work hours, or just leave it on all the time. Your call.
The Good, The Bad, and The Tiny Screen
What Rocks
- You’ll never lose your phone again: Because it’s literally attached to you.
- Way less distraction: That tiny screen is a blessing—you physically can’t doomscroll.
- One less thing to carry: My pockets have never been happier.
What Sucks
- Battery life takes a hit: You’ll be charging daily. Maybe twice if you’re a heavy user.
- Texting is… an experience: Voice dictation works until it doesn’t. Awkward.
- Still kinda connected: If you’re looking to completely disconnect, this ain’t it.
Real People Doing This (And Not Hating It)
I stumbled across this thread on Reddit where people were sharing their experiences. One guy—a writer—said he finished his book three weeks early after switching to just his watch. Another person said their anxiety levels dropped noticeably. The common theme? “I didn’t realize how much mental space my phone was taking up until it was gone.”
Not an Apple Person? Here Are Other Options
If you’re team Android, check these out:
- Garmin Venu 3: Battery lasts forever, does the basics.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: More features, but also more temptation.
But honestly? If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the integration is just smoother.
Should You Actually Try This?
This setup works great for:
- People who want to be less distracted but still reachable
- Parents who need to be available but don’t want to disappear into their phones
- Anyone who’s ever thought “I waste too much time on my phone” (so… everyone)
Look, it’s not for everyone. If you need complete digital detox, get a $20 flip phone. But if you want to dip your toes in? Your Apple Watch might surprise you.
Your Turn
Try leaving your phone at home for just one day—use only your watch. Notice how often you reach for a phone that isn’t there? Let me know how it goes in the comments. And if you hate it? Well, your phone will still be there when you get back.
Source: ZDNet – Apple