Best Dumb Phone App for iPhone in 2025

The top dumb phone apps for iPhone:

1. Refocus

2. Dumb Phone

3. One Sec

4. Apple "Assistive Access" Feature

#1 - Refocus

Refocus is an app blocker that helps you use your phone more mindfully.

Pros:

• Keep Your Phone Familiar: With Refocus, you retain your phone's normal look and functionality while gaining the control and focus of a dumb phone.

• Simple: within the first minute, you'll be set up to block apps in the most optimal way.

• Flexible & Powerful: Refocus includes strict modes and other advanced options to customize your app-blocking setup to fit your needs.

Cons:

• Doesn’t Fully Transform Your Phone: While Refocus helps block distractions, it doesn’t completely change your phone's interface or functionality.

App Store Link

#2 - Dumb Phone

Dumb Phone replaces iPhone's traditional interface with a simple, text-based menu of essential apps, making it a great choice for those looking to emulate a dumb phone experience.

Pros:

• Minimalist Interface: Creates a distraction-free, text-based menu for essential apps only.

• Reduced Visual Clutter: Creates a clean, focused home screen.

Cons:

• Setup Required: Requires manual configuration, such as removing existing app shortcuts and customizing widgets.

• Aesthetic Trade-Off: The text-based menu may feel too plain or unattractive for some users.

App Store Link

#3 - One Sec

One Sec’s unique use of the Apple Shortcuts app makes it ideal for those who prefer this style of app blocking.

Pros:

• Best in Class for Apple Shortcuts: One Sec leverages the Apple Shortcuts app to handle blocking, making it the top choice for fans of this approach.

• Affordable: One Sec is among the least expensive app blockers available.

Cons:

• Limited Flexibility: One Sec’s reliance on Apple Shortcuts can limit its functionality compared to other apps.

• Time-Consuming Setup: Setting up Apple Shortcuts requires some initial time investment, but it’s a one-time setup.

App Store Link

#4 - Apple "Assistive Access" Feature

For a true minimalist experience, use iOS 17's "Assistive Access" feature to transform your iPhone into a simplified device. This mode limits apps, disables notifications, and creates a distraction-free interface with just the essentials. It creates a true dumb phone!

Pros:

• True Dumb Phone: Transforms your iPhone into a simplified device.

• Free: Apple provides this feature for free with anyone on iOS 17 or higher.

Cons:

• Hard Core Restrictions: This mode completely changes your iPhone which can make it cumbersome to use. Also, you could experience bugs with this mode.

To use, open Apple "Settings" app > select "Accessibility" > select "Assistive Access" (at the bottom) > select "Set Up Assistive Access"

Home screen experience:

App experience:

Yes, these are real screenshots of the Apple iOS 17+ Assistive Access feature!

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