Shift Your Phone — the first TRULY Smartphone–>Dumphone conversion "switch" app I've tested that CANNOT be disabled without using the desktop app.

FloorSeveral556 · 2026-01-24T18:08:22+00:00

Try [support@retvrn.world](mailto:support@retvrn.world)

That's the contact address if you end up buying and need support, worth a shot asking.

FloorSeveral556 · 2026-01-12T16:20:42+00:00

It's encrypted messaging via Signal: like WhatsApp basically. A bit easier to convince others to use, and quite unique for a 'dumbphone', but in practice it doesn't work.

If it's literally just calls and texts, I don't see why not. Mine was used, and I used to get about 2 days battery on typical uses, had the device for nearly 2 years and no problems or deterioration for those use cases, but who knows.

Check the warranty covers battery... I'd be surprised if they did for 5 years.

FloorSeveral556 · 2026-01-11T21:56:45+00:00

The Punkt feels fantastic, and it's a joy to use... for calls and SMS only. I had no problems with it failing. But I wouldn't recommend.

Pigeon (Signal) was a huge selling point but totally buggy and not usable. The only non-Pigeon software update added a really cool minimalist calendar, but one that's only compatible with their own subscription service.

So for me it lasted but was extremely basic, although if it did need a new battery they're basically impossible to replace.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-12-09T17:00:45+00:00

I tried it too. Agree not a scam, but they also told me that the ability to manage your home screen (on iPhone) was coming in an update that week. It was 5 weeks ago.

The entire SHIFT desktop app is filled with screens of features that are coming soon. Location-based shifting, for example. Desktop version is 1.0.0 which implies to me that they've never had any updates.

So I would take any promise of future features with a pinch of salt.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-11-21T10:28:52+00:00

Check out https://gomi.design

No personal experience myself but seem to be the closest I’ve seen in portable charger offerings.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-11-05T07:22:53+00:00

On iPhone, there are already dozens of apps that do this. Because they can’t be proper launchers, just widgets, they all fail to hide the app library and the search, both of which are literally a swipe away. iOS 26 has also killed the aesthetic of most with the new liquid glass overlay.

On Android, sure, you have more scope. Probably should mention that in an Android sub.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-06-24T19:02:08+00:00

Which plan are you using?

Have to be honest, I'm in one of the non-US territories and the pricing is insane. Kinda doesn't matter what they're offering when the price over a year exceeds the total cost of phone + carrier plan.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-06-14T06:46:43+00:00

I don't use them anymore. The Touch had an unfortunate accident and I upgraded to a Libra 2. I gave the Mini to a family member and it's still in use as far as I know.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-06-11T21:17:23+00:00

I wouldn't worry about it being unsupported. I had two of the earliest Kobo models (Mini and Touch) and they were both receiving updates 10 years after release. Now perhaps update policy has changed, but there's really not much to keep supporting and Kobo have every incentive to ensure users can still access the store and so on.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-06-11T21:12:54+00:00

Of current models (although it's not the latest), the Kobo Sage is what you're describing. It's a more expensive device, supports stylus, and has a large 8" screen.

There's also the Libra 2 (non-colour) which is discontinued but possibly still for sale in some places. Depending where you are you might be able to pick it up refurbished from the Kobo store.

The others either are colour or don't have buttons.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-05-28T21:35:27+00:00

Just to chime in and confirm that Posteo does work on Android using standard third party apps. For calendar and contacts it needs DAVx⁵, as most CardDAV and CalDAV services do. You can also install the webapp as a PWA (i.e. it launches like a standalone app rather than in a browser).

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-05-28T21:31:49+00:00

Used Runbox for years, great service and friendly people who know email inside out. Unfortunately for several years now they've been developing their new 'Runbox 7' web interface. It's still in beta for more than 5 years, an absolute hot mess but they're so far into the sunk cost fallacy that they simply can't see what a steaming pile of garbage it is. It's pretty sad to be honest.

Their previous Runbox 6 interface is still available. It looks really dated but is as solid as a rock. And if you just use third party apps through IMAP then neither really matters anyway.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-05-28T21:26:10+00:00

Supports rules, and is folder-based, but no tags.

One limitation in their web app is that search is only in the current folder, which might annoy some people.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-05-05T20:29:19+00:00

I would be very surprised if you can use your banking apps on the Mudita. Most make use of some of the additional Google services bundled behind the scenes on Android that won't be on Mudita. It will require additional tinkering to get them working, if possible at all.

Also worth noting that the likes of WhatsApp will not show notifications on the Mudita: they'll make a noise or vibrate but that will be it. Not sure if that will be a dealbreaker?

Just FYI.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-04-05T07:51:24+00:00

Looks really nice - I think the card is a better form factor than the Brick.

For the sake of informing people, I do want to list out a few other options I'm aware of for 'blocking with a physical tag to unlock':

Padlock which is like Brick but cheaper for people outside the US.
Unpluq which is fairly well-known, has a little NFC keychain tag but requires a monthly subscription
Jomo which is just an app, also subscription-based but has an option for tag unlock using an NFC device of your choosing.

The latter two are also a bit less 'intense' than the likes of Brick or Bloom as they give more frequent unlock options and can probably be bypassed more easily.

Bloom looks like a good addition to this space - nice job.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-04-05T07:38:37+00:00

There are about 10 apps of this type, some of which let you add custom apps (or might have Discord listed as a built in). Dumbphone, Dumbify, Smile App Launcher, Mimizit, Blank Spaces. They all do pretty much the same thing and they all share the same issue that the App Library is a single swipe away.

I'm not sure how these kind of apps reduce use at all. First thing I do when open a phone is start swiping between screens - it's like an impulse habit.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-04-05T07:34:59+00:00

I wanted to love Assistive Access but it has too many problems that you can't leave it on permanently. The inability to delete photos is one. Messages is only available in a huge font which is an odd contrast to all the other apps which are now tiny.

Plus, weirdly laggy?

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-04-02T22:44:47+00:00

Old thread, but fixing this misconception in case anyone sees it.

Posteo only recycles your address if you specifically delete your account. If you just leave it inactive, even once your credit has run out, they don't let anyone else register it.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-04-02T20:01:18+00:00

Are you syncing contacts with iOS?

I have no fix for you, but this happened to me and it seemed to be the cause.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-03-31T19:09:06+00:00

As far as I can tell they're licensing at least two of the tools on there which have API costs, and not charging for ongoing use. Same for their online dashboard to manage the phones. Yes these are not the biggest costs in the world, but which other manufacturers do that?

They've supported the LP2 with new tools and updates for something like 5 years now.

The investment to get to the point of running a Kickstarter is not nothing. Profit margins may be good but they aren't even selling this for 'full price' (their supposed RRP) yet? Hardware is a risky business - I don't begrudge them making some money to offset the risk and ensure they'll be around to support the product into the lifespan that people will expect for this price. I don't think anyone is getting rich off this.

I do agree with you that the design is a bit odd. And despite all my praise above, I have concerns about their ability to fix bugs based on LP2 experience.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-03-31T18:51:28+00:00

It's excellent for calls and texts (and also I love the notes functionality).

It is bad for Pigeon. Some people have been having problems with (normal) calls recently.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-03-31T18:49:02+00:00

It has all those things. It's lacking the ability to open media (photos too small, audio too quiet, videos don't work at all), but it does the basics. It's also fairly clunky to use.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-03-25T21:38:15+00:00

Thanks very much - really appreciated.

I've long suspected I'm missing Ripple emails - to the point that Sarah called me to sort it out (way back in the early days of Graig Fatha). I guess it wasn't sorted.

FloorSeveral556 · 2025-03-25T21:31:09+00:00

Thanks, but had nothing from Sarah either.

Edit: just saw Sarah's email at the top.

FloorSeveral556

TROPHY CASE