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I know this is crazy but one can also just not install social apps on one’s phone, and continue to use all the functions that still provide a great deal of util

I know this is crazy but one can also just not install social apps on one’s phone, and continue to use all the functions that still provide a great deal of utility without compromises.

noahtallen 7y ago
The problem is that it’s an addiction — I was addicted, so I would still access those apps via the browser. Until I permanently deleted all of my accounts, I would still be looking at them for hours a day. Even now, I waste my time with Reddit or even HN. :) The root problem is much deeper and I think it’s difficult to address without behavior change (which is hard). Making it very difficult to do is a good compromise while you’re also working on building self control. These phones take that difficulty to a new level so long as you’re away from your other devices.
- Fnoord 7y ago
  Did you figure what the root cause of (your) addiction was?
- sailfast 7y ago
  I’m with you - I had to ask my wife to change my Twitter password and not tell me. Facebook was easier. When I have to access for local community things I use Firefox Focus. It’s still addictive, but my sessions are fewer. That said, I’m still on here and a few other places (craigslist for sale stream, anyone?) as placeholders. I wouldn’t say it is hours per day, but it was more time than I wanted. I’ve found productive addictions include things like ear training, Duolingo, etc - they replace the tactile sensation and give you that quieter time to yourself but at least you’re learning.
kungtotte 7y ago
You don't really have that choice. Many social apps (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) aren't possible to uninstall unless you use a custom ROM. You can only "disable" the apps. It's still perfectly possible to just not open them/log in, obviously.
- Zombieball 7y ago
  Are you sure about that? On an iPhone I can delete three of those apps (just verified). Android doesn’t allow the same?
  - Reelin 7y ago
    Unfortunately it's complicated. There are many OEMs, and each configures things to their liking. Then there are carrier branding deals which (often) result in per-carrier customizations on top of that. Typically, "uninstallable" apps can be disabled via adb commands if you don't want to (or can't) flash a custom ROM. Sometimes they can't however - for example, Amazon sells subsidized phones that display advertisements on the lock screen.
  - ShamelessC 7y ago
    Sadly, it depends. Many manufacturers have deals in place with Facebook, etc to prevent the un-installation of these apps. At best you can "disable" them completely, achieving the same effective result. Any downloaded updates to the app will be removed and it will be _supposedly_ incapable of running in the background. I suspect however that there are also other e.g. Facebook services running in the background that need to be explicitly disabled with Android running in developer mode. This isn't a problem if you have a rooted device, but root is difficult/impossible to obtain on certain devices (like Samsung's Galaxy 8 onward) due to enterprise level tamper-proofing. Having said all that, I just got an unlocked Pixel 4 and it has zero of that bloat. If you happen to consider the Google services themselves bloat/tracking (they often are), rooting is fully supported which allows you to install an Android distribution without any Google services.

I know this is crazy but one can also just not install social apps on one’s phone, and continue to use all the functions that still provide a great deal of utility without compromises.

noahtallen 7y ago

The problem is that it’s an addiction — I was addicted, so I would still access those apps via the browser. Until I permanently deleted all of my accounts, I would still be looking at them for hours a day. Even now, I waste my time with Reddit or even HN. :) The root problem is much deeper and I think it’s difficult to address without behavior change (which is hard). Making it very difficult to do is a good compromise while you’re also working on building self control. These phones take that difficulty to a new level so long as you’re away from your other devices.

Fnoord 7y ago
Did you figure what the root cause of (your) addiction was?
sailfast 7y ago
I’m with you - I had to ask my wife to change my Twitter password and not tell me. Facebook was easier. When I have to access for local community things I use Firefox Focus. It’s still addictive, but my sessions are fewer. That said, I’m still on here and a few other places (craigslist for sale stream, anyone?) as placeholders. I wouldn’t say it is hours per day, but it was more time than I wanted. I’ve found productive addictions include things like ear training, Duolingo, etc - they replace the tactile sensation and give you that quieter time to yourself but at least you’re learning.

kungtotte 7y ago

You don't really have that choice. Many social apps (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) aren't possible to uninstall unless you use a custom ROM. You can only "disable" the apps. It's still perfectly possible to just not open them/log in, obviously.

Zombieball 7y ago
Are you sure about that? On an iPhone I can delete three of those apps (just verified). Android doesn’t allow the same?
- Reelin 7y ago
  Unfortunately it's complicated. There are many OEMs, and each configures things to their liking. Then there are carrier branding deals which (often) result in per-carrier customizations on top of that. Typically, "uninstallable" apps can be disabled via adb commands if you don't want to (or can't) flash a custom ROM. Sometimes they can't however - for example, Amazon sells subsidized phones that display advertisements on the lock screen.
- ShamelessC 7y ago
  Sadly, it depends. Many manufacturers have deals in place with Facebook, etc to prevent the un-installation of these apps. At best you can "disable" them completely, achieving the same effective result. Any downloaded updates to the app will be removed and it will be _supposedly_ incapable of running in the background. I suspect however that there are also other e.g. Facebook services running in the background that need to be explicitly disabled with Android running in developer mode. This isn't a problem if you have a rooted device, but root is difficult/impossible to obtain on certain devices (like Samsung's Galaxy 8 onward) due to enterprise level tamper-proofing. Having said all that, I just got an unlocked Pixel 4 and it has zero of that bloat. If you happen to consider the Google services themselves bloat/tracking (they often are), rooting is fully supported which allows you to install an Android distribution without any Google services.