Make Your Phone a Tool

These steps are tailored to Android devices. The ideas can adapt to iOS.

1. Uninstall all social media apps.
2. Uninstall or disable all web browsers. Use a private mode browser like Firefox Focus so you can’t log in to anything.
3. Use Pie Launcher. Keep 4, 6, or 8 of your most useful apps in the pie menu.
4. Hide communication apps from the app list. You can directly open conversations to people through the Contacts app.
5. As and when you receive unwanted notifications, don’t just dismiss them but turn them off so you won’t be interrupted again.
6. Use either Automate, Tasker, or system features to:
   1. Auto-dismiss remaining stubborn system notifications
   2. Enable Airplane mode when it’s time to sleep
   3. Setup scheduled Do Not Disturb
   4. Quickly access certain apps (like launching the camera by double-tapping a button)
7. Use Should I Answer?. If you receive spam calls, configure its call blocking list.
8. Use local, privacy-respecting alternatives for everyday apps.
   1. Aegis instead of Google Authenticator
   2. KeePassDX instead of any cloud-based password manager
   3. Obsidian instead of an internet-needy notes app
   4. Librera instead of Google Docs
   5. Syncthing (which pairs well with all the above)
   6. KashCal over Google Calendar
   7. OpenTracks over Strava
   8. Thunderbird over GMail
   9. NewPipe or Tubular (if you must have YouTube at all)
   10. F-Droid to find more alternatives
9. Go through each app in your app list, and decide if it really serves you. Remove apps that don’t meaningfully improve your life.
10. Periodically review your phone usage and find ways to cut out what doesn’t help, and reinforce what does.