What Is a Dumb Smartphone? How It Works and Who It's For

A dumb smartphone is a smartphone that has been deliberately made less distracting. It has the hardware and the useful apps of a modern phone, such as maps, messaging and banking, but not the unrestricted browser, social media or open app store that cause most of the scrolling.

Dumb smartphone vs. dumb phone

• A dumb phone (flip phone or basic phone) has almost no apps. It's simple, but you give up navigation, banking, rideshare and authenticator apps.
• A dumb smartphone keeps the apps you choose and removes the rest.

Who it's for

• Adults who want fewer distractions but still need apps
• Parents choosing a first phone for a child or teen
• Anyone who has tried "just using the phone less" and found willpower doesn't last

What you keep and what you lose

Gone: the web browser, social media, open app stores.

Kept: calling and texting, camera, and the approved apps you choose, such as maps, email, WhatsApp, banking and work apps.

How a Grow Phone works as a dumb smartphone

A Grow Phone is a real Samsung Galaxy smartphone with the browser and open app store removed. You request apps through the Grow Control app and our team reviews them. Factory reset is blocked, so the protections can't be removed by resetting the phone.

For pricing, Grow Control membership and app compatibility, see the Grow Phone page.

FAQ

Is a dumb smartphone cheaper than a regular smartphone?

Not necessarily. You're paying for a real smartphone plus the service that keeps it focused. See the Grow Phone lineup for prices.

Can I still use maps?

Maps apps like Google Maps and Waze are among the common requests. Confirm any specific app with us first.

How is this different from a minimalist phone?

They overlap. See our guide to a minimalist phone with maps, banking and WhatsApp.