Has anyone here researched or used a “dumb” or feature phone that had minimal app library? I’m seeing many feature phones with facebook etc, but unsure if they have Signal as an option.
My employer is having discussions about requiring certain apps on employee phones. I’m unsure of the law in our state…(e.g: unsure if they can require that we use particular app w/o providing a phone.) An alternative is switching to a phone with minimal or no app store.
*With Signal dropping SMS, if the phone has a default SMS and an option for Signal I have both bases covered.
I would go with a smartphone.
Preferably one that support CalyxOS, GrapheneOS, /e/OS, SimpleOS or iodéOS. This way you will have access to secure messaging through Signal (and other) you will be able to install your work app in a Work Profile (you can use Shelter if it’s not supported by your ROM). This will be more secure and privacy firendly than a dumb phone.
Installing a minimal launcher such as OLauncher (or the fork OLauncher clutter free) and having only the apps you need on it. This way you will make your smartphone dumber and more productivity driven.
To add onto this, the problem with dumphones that can use Signal is that they’re often just dumb Android phones. That means they’re still connecting to Google Play Services. The main benefit would be in that the phone is so limited that you end up reducing the overall amount of data you put through the device, but it can be as privacy invasive as a regular smartphone.
Here’s another thread where we dug into this with a specific dumbphone example.
All depends on your threat model, so this is all just a bi FYI so you know what’s the deal.
I have since remembered the Punkt MP02 which lets you use Signal for messaging, but otherwise looks like a pretty dumb phone. Might be an option for some.