Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

I had the same problem and I can say: Forget willpower. Assume you don't have it. Read the book Willpower or BJ Fog's work if you want to learn more.

I tried everything I could and would often bypass my own security measures that I had previously created to prevent myself from using those sites/apps. I know, it's ridiculous.

Given that, I was able to create a safe phone. Here is what I did:

1 - Install LineageOS Android. Go to lineageos.org and choose a compatbile phone that you like.

2 - Choose the minimal distribution. No Gmail. No Youtube. I chose the one that comes only with Google Play Store. There is a distribution that doesn't have Google Play and you need to download and install APKs manually.

3 - I rooted my phone so that I could change file /etc/hosts and block sites that I don't want to use. That could be a problem to you because some banking apps don't work in rooted devices, but you may try to unroot after you change /etc/hosts or use Magisk.

With that the only way I know I could access these sites would be installing a VPN or using Tor browser. But then you have some effort and you created a considerable space. And as Victor Frankl said: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

I was also an addict. I hardly used to use my phone for less than 8 hours. But I am a big sight surprised to know my own improvement.

I was using telegram for 5 hours, WhatsApp for 2 hours, and 3 hours Chrome, and I ended up with anxiety, devastating my self-respect, and sometimes watching poor contents.

I was an addict, it doesn't mean I would never have tried. I tried to left using my phone 3 or 4 times in retrospect, but I bounced back to my addiction every time, even after taking 5-6 practical courses on phone addiction, and the main cause of my failure was studying. Yeah, studying, because I used to use my phone for e-learning as well, but the phone is a very distractive thing.

So, now I will try to take you through my journey of becoming a champion.

Take my motto - "You cannot repudiate a cheap thing until you will get any higher taste." "Follow the KISS principle - Keep It Simple, Stupid!"

Journey Begins - I backed up my personal data (notes, video Tutorials, etc.) to my PC. Left using google, and created an account on TutanotaMail. Installed the YourHours app to take care of my precious time. Turned my phone color to monochromatic grayscale. There's no finger or face password. I prefer the highest secured text password, and my password is - hkhkkkhhhrhrrrhh. (Means, "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare": Whenever I type it, I chant the holy name that purifies this soul and I do not waste my time scrolling up.) My phone contains - Phone, messages, my files, one drive, camera, gallery, clock, contacts, settings, calendar, cashbook, translate, caller id, Vocapture, calculator, aurora store, WhatsApp, and Yourhour.

What do I use these apps for? I have three kinds of apps - Apps that I have installed - cashbook, translate, caller id, Vocapture, Aurora store, WhatsApp, and YourHour Apps that are preinstalled and I use - phone, contacts, messages, my files, camera, gallery, settings, calendar Apps that I don't use and can't uninstall - I have simply hidden them, such as chrome, Samsung store, Google, YouTube. Now let's talk about those apps that I have installed and how I use them - cashbook - to know keep a tab on my expenses. It is not time taking and I use it when I get some money or I spend my money somewhere. Translate - I rarely use it. caller id - just to know who called me when I could not pick up their call. Truecaller has lots of trackers. Vocapture - It is an eng-eng dictionary with a pronunciation assistant. I use it quite often. Aurora store - alternative to google play store. It can be used without a google account. I use it occasionally. WhatsApp - I had deleted my WhatsApp last year, but I had to reinstall it owing to my online classes. I use it once or twice a weak. I keep the notification turned on, so I can get meeting links without even being online, and pictures and documents can be accessed through the gallery. Apps like Tutanota mail, Telegram, Lichess(I love playing chess), Canva, etc can be accessed through the laptop, and I have a certain principle for that. I check my mail daily. Telegram, twice a weak (Both WhatsApp and Telegram can not be checked on the same date.). Lichess, only even day. And Canva, when I need, usually once a month. All the notifications have been turned off except WhatsApp. What is the higher taste in it? There's no higher taste in using a material thing, but higher taste develops when you read a book named "Bhagavad Gita". This book is not made of Indian or Hindus, but Topmost universities of the UK and the US are teaching this book for personal development, knowing yourself, and become spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and thoughtfully stronger and effective, simply because the supreme personality of godhead himself has spoken it.

I write my journal - I follow the old-school pen and paper method for that and I must say this is better than using any apps on your phone, simply because I have tested both.

I chant KrishnaMahamantra - Once you read Bhagavad Gita, you'll come to know that Krishna(who you call Allah, or Christ that Supersoul is Krishna) is the source of everything, and chanting his holy name will never be you the same. So chant n*108 times.. and take your n till 16. Must start your day with chanting "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare", You can watch YouTube if you don't know how to speak it.

Do your work productively. Since you have remembered the god before your task so he will help you complete your every task with ease. Believe me, it works undoubtedly.

Eat Satvik foods only, If you want to leave phone addiction or any other addiction, our foods play a great role to determine how our mind should react. So eat Satvik foods if you want to get control over your six senses or your mind. Open a new tab and search about Satvik foods and perceive in detail.

Have a nice day ahead!