How to Actually Master Your Phone so You Don't Become a Slave

It doesn't matter if you use an Android device or an iOS one, learn these rules and adapt them to your lifestyle so you'll be the master and not the slave.

Rule #1 - No Notifications

Turn off notifications for all apps except the important ones (messages, home banking, phone and Google Maps [otherwise it will not give you directions]).

Rule #2 - No Badges or Dots

Turn off all notification dots or badges, you don't need them and they just make you more anxious.

Rule #3 - No Ringtone

My phone is always in silent mode. By doing this I'm sure to not be distracted by a loud ringtone or embarassed by forgetting to turn off ringtones in a silence-oriented place.

Rule #4 - When you need to disconnect use Airplane Mode

Airplane mode is the easiest way to disconnect from the digital world and allows you for some real time by yourself.

Rule #5 - No Battery Percentage

Battery percentage is one less thing you should worry about, forget it.

Rule #6 - Turn on Do Not Disturb

Turn on Do Not Disturb after dinner until you wake up the morning after.

Rule #7 - Enable Auto-Lock after 5 minutes

There's no need to Auto-Lock your display after 30 seconds if you use your phone only when you need to. Just set it to the longest time possible in case you leave your phone somewhere and you forget to lock it.

Rule #8 - Limit your Addicting Apps

Limit your addicting apps (read Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc.) to 15 minutes a day (there is a function on your phone that does that, Google is your friend) or, even better, uninstall each addicting app daily.

Rule #9 - Keep your Important Apps on the First Page

Keep all your important apps in alphabetical order on the first page you land after you unlock your phone. No folders, no widgets, no social network, just important apps.

Rule #10 - When you Sleep, Keep your Phone Away

I'm a big fan of wireless charging devices so I bought a wireless charging platform and set it up on a desk located at the opposite corner of the room from the bed. After dinner, when I'm home, I just lay the phone on the platform and forget it until the next morning.