Dumb Phone dp Reviews

DO NOT x out of those tips/add sections, or you will not be able to get them back! Had to delete and reinstall DumbPhonedp . Also not very intuitive how to reorganize and edit the list of apps. You gotta tap on a blank space within the widget inside of DumbPhonedp , without accidentally hitting one of the names/shortcuts because that will launch DumbPhonedp . What’s up with the lowercase app names? Without giving us control over formatting?? You should respect the name given and allow people to decide for themselves how they’d like the formatting done. And what the heck with the lame degree symbols/small o letters at the top and bottom of the widget on the home screen? How is that minimal? Super distracting. If you want me to pay for this, you’re going to have to improve all of these things, as I’m deleting this for now. it’s the second best one of the ones I’ve tried (2 of the 4 were total garbage). The one I’m going with allows for a LOT of formatting/tweaking/customization of DumbPhonedp titles, AND how many display in each widget pane. I hope you improve DumbPhonedp and make it better than the other one! For now, I’ll have to stick with what looks and works best.

I love the idea of a “dumb” phone. Remove the distractions and let my phone be a tool that I use to communicate and operate. Reduce my need for social media, internet, and superfluous apps. This does that. BUT … Huge BUT. DumbPhonedp straight up stopped working after a week. I cannot click on any of the 10 or so apps I chose to allow. Open the weather app? Nope, the button doesn’t work. Instead, swipe down and use the smartphone infrastructure to open it. Maybe safari? Negative. Click it 5 times and sigh as you scroll right to “search all apps” and open the internet. This was literally perfect for a few days, but the instant it stopped working as advertised, it is a burden rather than a utility.

After trying a couple of iPhone minimizer apps that were super clunky. This one was a little more streamlined however, the apps that I most frequently access all dya long for work were not preloaded, and even though I filled out the request forms through DumbPhonedp to add them, I never heard back from anyone and I just can’t wait any longer. I have to search through various pages of my phone to just find the things I most readily use. Also cant get the “dp” logo to disappear from the minimal home screen despite following the steps to do so. Onward to look for another app.

Overall experience with DumbPhonedp has been positive. It does take a fair amount of tweaking to really get working but there are good tutorials on DumbPhonedp . The creator was responsive to feedback when given which made me more confident best of all. Best of all the pro membership has a lifetime option that is a one time payment. If it were not for that option, I probably would’ve stopped using DumbPhonedp since I cannot stand subscription service. Overall, in a world of apps that feel like they’re just there to profit off of us. DumbPhonedp felt like it was really designed for people first. Hopefully as iOS develops better. It will be easier to set up apps like this in the future.

Thank you for this amazing app!!! I had struggled with addiction to certain social apps for years, but DumbPhonedp was a big turning point for me; now I don’t have or use any social media apps, am using my devices more intentionally, and feel far less overwhelmed. Thank you!!! :D
PS: I did run into a little issue a couple weeks ago where when I tapped on an app on the list it didn’t open, then suddenly it kept going between opening DumbPhonedp and opening DumbPhonedp I was on? I think I turned my device off and on and refreshed the apps and it was fixed. After updating to iOS 18 and updating DumbPhonedp (I didn’t have either updated when it happened), I haven’t run into that since. Just thought I’d add that in in case that wasn’t a known issue :)

I rarely review anywhere but this deserves 10/10 stars. I did the trial version and loved it so much I decided to subscribe. I have so many apps that I need for work but also need to decompress when off work, however need to maintain two messaging apps for family emergencies. I was so tempted to buy a 2nd mobile phone but that goes against the minimalism that I needed. DumbPhonedp allowed me to use my trusty iphone for work and just isolate the essential few when off work. I don’t need to keep switching between phones and all the apps I need stay in 1 place. This helps so much with studying, working, and just decompressing. Thank you developer for this genius app!

Love the execution of DumbPhonedp and all the customization features it has for a super simple concept. DumbPhonedp doesn’t have any fluff and is exactly as big in scope as it needs to be. I really like the lifetime license option.

Its home screen widgets are hampered a bit by iOS design philosophy, but it’s a good setup when you get used to its quirks. Highly functional. Also the fact that it has to briefly gave the dp app or shortcuts app go full screen to launch an app is another annoying iOS limitation that delays opening of the apps. The dev has minimized that as much as possible though.

Overall, I’d recommend you give this a shot on its free tier. I think the premium tier is worth it personally.

I’m really pleased with how easy DumbPhonedp was to set up and use. I tried using the Blank Spaces app, but encountered issues trying to add the Phone and Messaging apps (potentially due to the recent IOS 18 update?). Dumb Phone simply works, and it doesn’t launch itself or the settings when selecting an app from the list (an issue I’ve encountered with other apps).

Customizing the layout is easy and the options aren’t overwhelming. I’m finding I’m not mindlessly reaching for my phone as often because it’s simply not as interesting to look at. My phone is a tool again - hooray!

Stacking widgets is difficult, but that’s an issue with Apple and not DumbPhonedp itself. I recommend adding the Smart Stack widget and then adding the Dumb Spaces widgets to the Smart Stack.

The only criticism I have is that it would be nice if that widgets were named “Dumb Phone”, as I’m not sure how to search for them when adding them to the screen. You have to scroll down through the suggestions before you see the little degree symbol that they are listed as.

Overall a fantastic app that simply gets the job done!

It is always nice to see developers who care about their app and their feedback from app users. 😁 As one minimal aesthetic lover to another - thanks for creating this. It has helped me stay focused in the 2-3 days I’ve downloaded it. Way less going on which my brain needs. No annoying notification badges. Paired with widgey it makes a powerful statement when people will look at my minimal phone Home Screen, which I never thought possible on iOS. Thanks also for adding the shortcut method to add your own apps. That was great to let me do it myself. I can’t wait to see what other ideas you have in store for DumbPhonedp

Honestly, I never take the time to leave reviews like ever but I had to for DumbPhonedp!!!

I was looking into getting an actual dumb phone but I just couldn’t commit to the camera downgrade (along with other complications). I came across DumbPhonedp and it is perfect for what I needed. Im so serious, I have only had it a few days and my phone usage has already gone down.

As some of the more critical reviews have stated: Yes, it is, for the most part, “just a widget” but for iPhone that’s about the only customization developers can work with.

The developer sincerely cares about making DumbPhonedp usable and the best version it can be. I have requested the addition of two apps already and he replied very quickly and provided me with URL schemes to use these apps in the meantime. The Detox mode is also super useful!!!

Amazing app, amazing customer service along with it! If you’re looking for a simpler life set free from the shackles of your phone - I can’t recommend DumbPhonedp enough!

I’ve been looking for a way to declutter - not just my phone but my thoughts and interactions with my devices. I stumbled across a bunch of videos about how to accomplish this and DumbPhonedp was NOT recommended - it SHOULD HAVE BEEN!

DumbPhonedp has both succinct video and swipe-able concise text instructions for how to make your phone ‘dumb’ using DumbPhonedp . It’s very easy to set up, already has support for a lot of other, non-Apple apps included, and has a feature to request/suggest an app that isn’t currently ‘officially’ supported. I submitted a daycare app I use daily during the week and the developer emailed me ~24hrs later to tell me it had been added to the list to be supported in an upcoming update! In the meantime, DumbPhonedp has a walkthrough showing you how to add an unsupported app in the interim and the developer included an additional suggestion in their email.

I installed Dumb Phone at the end of my work week and in just a short couple of days I can’t imagine going back. When I mindlessly unlock my phone now I see the screen and I realize I could be using a more purpose-oriented device or just not looking at a device at all.

The price is reasonable for a test drive - US$2.99 for a month at the time of my review (NOV2025) - and just US$25 for lifetime access.

Almost perfect. Issue with some specific apps the links on the phone don’t seem to work. They ask me to update DumbPhonedp in DumbPhonedp Store but it’s already up to date. Not sure what the issue is but is slightly distracting process taking me to DumbPhonedp Store and then using the open app button there to take me to DumbPhonedp . If fixed will update to 5 stars…

Edit - after a little time with the dumb phone I’ve realized I should probably be reading the Wall Street journal on my iPad anyway. Bonus points of switching to greyscale on your phone. Life -quite literally- feels more vibrant hours after.

I used the Light Phone II for 6 months. I really enjoyed the experience, but eventually switched back because I needed the convenience of my phone camera to take pictures at an event… and I never switched back. This “Dumb Phone” app reminds me of the look and feel of that home screen, I absolutely love it! I feel like I am getting the best of both worlds. It’s especially nice to continue using iMessage: it was tough becoming a green bubble for my friends and family when I was using the Light Phone. Great app. Use the trouble shooting guides if you have any issue, it is documented very well!

TLDR: this is the one!

So I never write reviews and in fact this may actually be my first review ever.
My journey started with purchasing a ‘dumb’ phone to cut my screen time down. And I used that for a couple weeks. But in this day and age so many things require you to have some sort of app that it just wasn’t working for me so I turned to the alternative of turning my ‘smart’ phone dumb.

Dumb phone seemed to be exactly what I needed so I decided to try it out alongside some others.
Something dumb phone does that most of the others didn’t, was it just worked. DumbPhonedp the widgets the wallpaper. Right away the set up was easy and straight forward and within a couple minutes my phone was ‘dumb’ or at least appeared to be!

I only had one issue where my dock wouldn’t blend in with the background and someone immediately got back to me and went back and forth with me until I figured it out! Shout out to Michael!

Love DumbPhonedp love the look and love the support!

The sooner we wake up to the harm of being glued to our phones has on our mental health, relationships, and the way we see the world… the sooner we can get back to using our time and attention spans for more fulfilling pursuits.

Let’s get back out into the world and reject the ways in which the likes of Meta work to monetize our attention spans.

DumbPhonedp brings me even closer to my goal of getting back to an existence where my days are filled with meaningful activity, away from my phone, working to foster deeper connections with the people I love.

I chose DumbPhonedp over some of the others for ease of usage. Most of the minimalist apps do basically the same thing. Most everyone including myself are spending too much time devoted to screen time. I deliberately chose to remove all social media applications. Also remove applications you really don’t need. So far it’s working to limit screen time. All other social media applications are either on my Kindle Fire or go through website on the PC. I appreciate the simplicity.

Wow! I am truly grateful for DumbPhonedp, talk about an answer to prayer. I was tired of missing out on the things that matter because of how distracting the colors and such on the phone can be. Dumb Phone has already given me back precious time with my family. My stress levels have dropped. I feel free! My phone is now a tool, not something that consumes me. I am telling our family and friends about this. I want everyone to know about this incredible app … and they’ll wish they found it sooner!

DumbPhonedp is incredibly easy to set up. I love that you can select dark or light. The developer is the kindest. I submitted two app requests and he emailed me personally to help me set them up on my phone. Amazing support!

Keep up the great job, cheering you on! Thank you for your hard work!

DumbPhonedp is great. Exactly what I needed and reasonably priced for pro features. It seems from other reviews there mightve been issues/bugs in the past, but I get the vibe this developer really cares about the quality of their product and genuinely are trying to improve it based on customer feedback. DumbPhonedp in its current version, as I have used it, has been absolutely wonderful. If youre serious about simplifying your digital life, try the free trial. I dont think you would regret it.

The dev/devs on DumbPhonedp are very caring people and genuinely want to just make a very good experience for people to help customize your phone the way you want. I have a few apps that I needed to be on the filter that weren’t there and I emailed them with a picture and description of DumbPhonedp and they responded immediately! If that doesn’t show how good of a future DumbPhonedp has then idk what does tbh. Also since I installed DumbPhonedp, my screen time has reduced by at least 3 hours a day! Apps used to be so distracting that I’d lose my train of thought but now the text allows to me to actually think clearly instead of clicking on the shiny red & colorful icons. Ik that makes me sound like a toddler but I’m not ashamed to say that’s how it actually is sometimes. Could be my ADD but hey DumbPhonedp is great at making my phone look hella boring so 🙏.

I’ve always been glued to my phone, and I knew something had to change. That’s where Dumbphone came in. It’s transformed my phone into a simpler, less distracting tool while still giving me access to the essentials I rely on. It’s not a magic fix overnight, but it’s been a game-changer in helping me create healthier habits.

As a bonus, the developer, Michael, is fantastic—he’s responsive, solution-oriented, and clearly passionate about his app. Highly recommend for anyone looking to regain control of their screen time!