In this step-by-step tutorial, we show you how to turn your iPhone into a dumb feature phone with just a few basic features and a simpler interface, all without requiring third-party apps or profiles.
One of the best ways to repurpose your old iPhone or iPad is to pass it on to a person like your grandparents or kids who don’t need all the latest features. Plus, an older person or a child may not find it convenient to navigate the iOS interface without a clear back button and too many on-screen elements and features.
To address this, iOS includes a lesser-known Assistive Access feature which strips down the entire operating system for a simpler interface. You can choose to allow specific apps, or even just certain features within an app (like only the selfie shooter in the Camera app).
If your goal is to give your young kid a simple phone with just a few features, then you can consider using it.
I will demonstrate by turning my old iPhone into a feature phone by allowing only Phone, Messages, Camera, Photos, and YouTube apps. You can add more apps if you want.
But before you begin:
- Download the third-party apps you want to be allowed during Assistive Access mode.
- Set up the apps beforehand. What I mean by this is log in to those apps (like YouTube), allow notifications and camera access (like for WhatsApp), and so on.
- Set up a Screen Time passcode and don’t share this code with your child if you don’t want them to exit Assistive Access mode. Of course, you may not have to worry about this if your child is very young.
Turn iPhone into a simple phone for kids
1) Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility.
2) Scroll to the bottom and tap Assistive Access.
3) Tap Set Up Assistive Access > Continue.
4) If the Apple Account you want to use on this iPhone is correct, tap Continue. Otherwise, change it.
5) Select the apps you want to allow in this ‘dumb phone’ mode.
I’m choosing:
- Calls — I will only allow receiving and making calls from Favorites, which I set up beforehand.
- Messages — Again, texting can only happen between contacts marked as Favorites.
- Camera — I will only allow Photo and Photo Selfie modes.
- Photos — I have allowed shared albums.
- YouTube (Apps not optimized for Assistive Access don’t give you the option to select sub-features)
After adding the apps, tap Continue, and follow along.
6) Choose an appearance style and tap Continue. I prefer the Grid style.
7) Go through the instructions screens and tap Continue.
8) Enter the Screen Time passcode (if you had set it up).
9) Learn how to exit Assistive Access. You can do that by triple-pressing the side button.
10) Finally, tap Start Using Assistive Access and confirm with the Screen Time passcode if asked.
You’ll see “Entering Assistive Access” on the screen for a few seconds, and then your iPhone will effectively convert into a basic phone with just the selected apps and features.
You can exit Assistive Access mode and return to normal mode (with all apps and data intact) by pressing the iPhone side button three times. You can learn a lot more about Assistive Access in our full guide.
Also, check out: What to do before handing your iPhone or iPad to kids