Show HN: The modern flip phone – but it's an iPhone (dumbsmartphones.com)

2 points by YPCrumble ↗ HN
I built dumbsmartphones.com for people who want to use their phone less — without switching to a clunky flip phone or giving up iMessage.

The idea is simple: we take an iPhone and configure it through Apple’s device management tools to remove addictive apps and lock down distractions. You can still text, call, navigate, and take photos — but no TikTok, no Instagram, no YouTube, no app store rabbit holes.

There are two service levels: • $20/mo: standard digital minimalism setup (core apps only) • $50/mo: fully customized setup (you choose what stays or goes)

It’s part product, part lifestyle experiment — helping people reclaim focus and attention without sacrificing Apple’s ecosystem.

I’d love feedback from this community on: • Any technical gotchas you see in using Apple’s MDM/ABM for this purpose • Ideas for privacy or autonomy safeguards so users always feel in control • Whether you think there’s real demand for “managed minimalism” vs. DIY solutions

Site: https://dumbsmartphones.com

2 comments

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$20/month for an AI-programmed app that disables features on my phone is nuts. Your project is dead-on-arrival.
> we take an iPhone and configure it through Apple’s device management tools

$20-$50 / month to point an LLM at Apple Configurator is wild.