Yes, you can convert a smartphone into a dumbphone by removing its operating system.
Yes, you can convert a smartphone into a dumbphone by removing its operating system.
The ideal situation would be to receive a contactless payment card from your bank and then purchase a basic phone, eliminating your smartphone. But since that's not feasible for you, the specific Android model matters because it affects how easily your device can be rooted.
I tried this on an older Android device a while back just to check if it was possible, aiming for a basic phone setup. I can confirm it started up and the apps I saved functioned correctly. But I’m unsure if it works with newer Android versions, and I haven’t updated the apps since then—I doubt there are any more updates left for that model.
That's correct, those devices don't function properly in this environment. Local stores here don’t accept cards; UPI is widely used, much like Weibo in China. I also plan to use apps such as Pacer and MyFitnessPal, which wouldn’t work on older phones or even some newer models like the Realme 5 Pro.
Would you like a browser on your phone? That would grant access to YouTube and many other services... Keep in mind that almost everything you can do via ADB is reversible through it. You can't deceive yourself. The best solution I see would be installing parental controls and then having someone else enter a password you don't know.
No, I won’t set up a browser because it would silence the whole reason behind this. Yes, I get it, but if there’s a difference between wanting something and being able to reach it, I’d face challenges. I’ve grasped this idea from psychological sources like BJ Fogg’s work.
This article from the Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange details the process of updating an app using adb.
The issue arises because the apps you wish to install often rely on Google Play Services. During the standard Android setup, it's difficult to fully remove the web browser, Play Store, or other pre-installed apps without losing access. If you use a custom ROM, you might be able to remove them, but then you lose Play Services, making it hard to run your desired apps unless you manually re-enable them. There doesn’t seem to be a straightforward solution to this problem.