David Broncano, well-known presenter of 'La Revuelta', has captivated the audience by presenting a disruptive approach to smartphone use live: transforming his iPhone into a "dumb phone" using a minimalist app. This gesture, far from being anecdotal, has sparked a debate about the need to reduce the time we spend in front of screens, combating technological addiction and proposing a more conscious and productive digital life.
What is the “dumb phone” that David Broncano showed?
During an interview with Dani Martín, Broncano revealed his home screen: a black background, no flashy icons, and only text-based shortcuts. The key was the use of an app that transforms the phone's appearance, reducing the focus of apps and notifications that normally seek to capture our attention.
The objective is very clear: reduce distractions and promote conscious mobile useBroncano made it clear that he needed to spend less time glued to his phone and that the minimalist interface forced him to limit his compulsive use, especially of social media and messaging apps.
Broncano's minimalist app: Dumb Phone, Minimalist Phone or Dumbify?
At the center of this movement is Minimalist Phone (also known as Dumb Phone on the App Store), the work of developer Michael Tigas. Its philosophy is simple and straightforward: turn your smartphone into a device that only displays the essentials, eliminating everything that doesn't add real value. This app Replaces colorful icons, hides notifications, and limits quick access to appsThus, a kind of "Soviet" or "last-century" mobile is created, as Broncano himself humorously dubbed it.
The app is free to use, but advanced features, such as profile customization, Detox mode (which hides non-essential apps for specific periods of time), and setting different themes, require an annual subscription of €9,99. It's compatible with both iPhone and Android, although each system has its own specific options and features.
Main Features:
- Ultra minimalist interface: Complete replacement of icons with text shortcuts, black or white background and no distracting visual elements.
- Detox Mode: Allows you to temporarily hide or block overly addictive apps.
- Selection of essential applications: Choose which apps you need each day and hide the rest to avoid temptation.
- Custom usage profiles: Set up different lists of apps depending on the time (work, leisure, rest, etc.).
- Minimalist widgets: Shortcut to only the essentials from the home screen.
- Optimized notification control: The user decides which notifications can appear, silencing the rest.
This trend is not only aesthetic, but functional: Multiple studies support that reducing exposure to notifications and visual stimuli improves mental health., concentration and even work or academic performance.
Minimalist alternatives for Android
While the first wave of the movement was focused on iOS, Android users have access to a very wide range of minimalist apps and launchers that replicate or even improve the dumb phone experience. Popular options include:
- Niagara Launcher- Vertical interface with only essential apps in text, optimized ergonomics for one-handed use, and extensive customization. Drastically reduces the temptation to open unnecessary apps.
- Dumbify: Minimal LauncherConfigurable, powerful, and focused on limiting access to only the essentials. It features minimalist widgets and even custom backgrounds.
- Indistract Minimalist Launcher: completely simplifies the home screen, lets you lock apps, and fine-tune the experience to maximize focus.
- Minimalist Launcher: Inspired by Broncano's app, this launcher eliminates icons and reduces everything to lists of white text on black.
Each of these apps offers its own level of customization, from selecting which apps to display, to setting themes, widgets, and controlling notifications. In addition, Almost all of them offer free versions and paid options for premium features. (such as advanced profiles, additional widgets, or app lock).
Other apps and features to transform any smartphone
Beyond the main minimalist launchers and apps, there are other useful tools and methods to reduce mobile usage and turn it into a functional, non-addictive device:
- Digital Wellbeing (Android) and Screen Time (iOS): Both system features allow you to limit the usage time of each app, schedule breaks, and mute notifications.
- Modes of Concentration: Available on iOS and many Android platforms, Focus Modes leave only certain apps accessible during certain hours.
- Opal: Screen Time Control: Application to block apps, receive usage time graphs, and schedule periods of total disconnection.
- ScreenZen: an app that adds challenges or exercises before opening addictive apps, helping to break the habit of compulsive consulting.
The key is flexibility: It is not necessary to delete all apps or give up technology, but to limit it to the essentials.Thanks to these apps, you can choose when and how you connect, creating a much healthier digital experience.
How to replicate Broncano's "dumb phone" step by step
Converting your smartphone to a minimalist version is simple and completely reversible. Below, we summarize the basic steps for both operating systems, integrating advanced tips and recommendations shared by both digital minimalism experts and those who have experienced the "dumbphone" philosophy:
- Choose the minimalist app or launcher depending on your operating system: Dumb Phone, Minimalist Launcher, Niagara Launcher, Dumbify, Indistract Launcher, etc.
- Select only essential applications that you really need on a daily basis (calls, messages, email, browser or some task tool).
- Activate dark mode or choose black/sober wallpapers to reduce visual glare and constant stimulation.
- Turn off or limit notifications from the settings menu or the app itself, allowing notifications only from important contacts or critical apps.
- Configure usage profiles If the app allows it, adjusting the accessible apps according to the schedule or context (work, leisure, night, etc.).
- Use minimalist widgets and remove non-essential icons from the main screen for greater visual clarity.
- Customize transitions and animations reducing them to a minimum (on iOS: Settings > Accessibility > Reduce Motion).
- If you prefer, use the modes of concentration of the system to automate restricted access to certain apps and silence the rest.
This method allows any user to replicate Broncano's experience while adapting it to their own needs, avoiding the radical nature of a real "dumb phone" while retaining the advantages of digital minimalism.
Why more and more people are opting for mobile minimalism
Broncano's decision to simplify his iPhone is just the most visible reflection of a global paradigm shift. Smartphones and their apps have been designed to maximize attention and addiction., as recognized by figures such as Sean Parker (co-founder of Facebook and Napster), who admit that notifications, colors and “likes” activate dopamine circuits similar to those of any addiction.
Recent studies and surveys indicate that mobile addiction affects all generations: the average screen time is approaching six hours a day in Spain, and 48% of households say they are concerned about excessive use. Even 12% of young people have considered abandoning their smartphones for a basic device, and the percentage of those looking for apps to reduce usage continues to grow.
- Advantages of using a minimalist phone:
- Greater productivity daily by reducing distractions from social media and messaging.
- Improve mental health, lowering the levels of anxiety generated by notifications and digital multitasking.
- It allows a greater presence and attention in real life, strengthening relationships and hobbies off-screen.
- Optimize the battery and performance from the mobile, by eliminating unnecessary processes.
Far from being a passing fad, dumbing down or digital minimalism is a necessary response to regaining control and well-being in an overstimulated world.
Some users wonder if it makes sense to invest in a powerful smartphone and then limit it to basic use. The answer is that Flexibility is the real advantage: You can switch between a minimalist mode when you need it most (work, study, rest, dinner with friends or family, etc.) and return to full smartphone mode when you need it.
It is not about doing without technology, but about take advantage of it in a more sensible and conscious wayIf you ever want to revert the changes, simply disable the launcher, delete the minimalist app, or change the focus profile to regain all your usual functions.
Furthermore, with current solutions, it's possible to enjoy features like calling, messaging, or even basic games (like the chess game Broncano mentioned) without sacrificing privacy, security, or the connectivity needed today. To understand how to protect your privacy during this process, we recommend consulting This guide on privacy and security.
Adapting your mobile phone to your routines allows you to balance the digital and real world, improving your quality of life without having to give up the advantages of the technological age.
Reducing exposure to digital stimuli and opting for minimalist apps is much more than a trend: it's a conscious shift toward healthy, fulfilling use of technology. As Broncano and a growing number of others demonstrate, The freedom to choose how and when to use your smartphone is true digital luxury. of our time.
