Going NoPhone

Almost all cellphones are full of proprietary software and have other anti-features, like being tyrant devices. According to Replicant there is currently no ideal smartphone in terms of privacy, security or freedom. Even less-than-ideal devices can be too expensive for many. This article is meant to help people who are considering going (or maybe have to go) NoPhone.

Benefits of going NoPhone

While freedom, privacy and security are essential and good enough reasons to go NoPhone on their own, here are some additional benefits you might experience.

More presence

You are more aware of your surroundings. You find it funny when you look around and everyone is looking down at their smartphone.

More stable mental state

The dopamine rushes (and crashes) you get from checking messages, social media and playing mobile games will be gone. This leaves you generally calmer.

More self-reliance

Instead of immediately reaching out for help, you have to face and solve your own problems. You might find that you are more resourceful, capable and sociable than you thought.

Making phone calls

If you have not used a landline in a long time (or ever), keep in mind that sometimes you may need to put 0 or 1 in front of a phone number to make the call and that sometimes you need to press 9 to dial out before you can dial the actual phone number.

Leverage phones in places where you spend most of your time

Make use of landline phones that may already be available in your home, at work, school, university, etc.

Know where there are phones available to you for gratis use

• If you have a bank account, there may be a public phone at a branch that you can use.

Know where there are payphones in your area

• Some shopping malls have pay phones
• Some libraries have pay phones

Asking strangers to borrow their phone

In a pinch you might need to borrow a phone from someone. Try to exhaust all your other options first.

Meeting up with people

If you are NoPhone it might be a good idea to make more solid plans with people about when and where you're going to meet. This takes some social currency and maybe getting stood up once or twice.

Otherwise communicating with family and friends

If you cannot convince your friends or family to give up proprietary software, you might be able to convince then to use a matrix client like Riot.im. You can then use any libre matrix client to make voice and video calls, chat, and send files to them.

You might also be able to communicate via email.

Keeping track of contacts

It is recommendable to have at least your most essential phone numbers on your person at all times.

Keeping track of time

A watch can be inexpensive and have additional functions.

General tips and tricks

• Whether or not you go NoPhone, you might find that it is a lot easier and quicker to tell a pushy sales or marketing person that you do not have a phone or email rather than you do not want to give it out.

LibrePlanet people who have gone NoPhone

Here are testimonials from people who have gone NoPhone.