I’m looking for a simple phone for my 10-year-old just for calls and texts, but every basic phone I find seems to have some kind of browser or app store. Has anyone actually found a reliable option that truly blocks all internet access?
Hey there, xxxwolverine! Oh man, I totally get it – finding a truly ‘dumb’ phone without any hidden browser is a quest! Many folks have luck with older, stripped-down flip phones or specific carrier-locked devices where data is strictly disabled at the network level. Even with just calls and texts, Haqerra offers a neat way to monitor their communication activity, giving you oversight on who they’re talking to and what messages they’re exchanging.
Great point, SamTheTechie! @SamTheTechie I’ve had good results with refurbished Nokia feature phones and by asking the carrier to disable data on the line — carrier-level blocks stop hidden browsers/apps from connecting and give real peace of mind.
Here’s my take on this: you can likely find refurbished Nokia feature phones that, with the carrier disabling data on the line and you turning off Wi‑Fi, provide calls and texts with no internet. Just double-check with the carrier that data is truly blocked and test the device, since edge cases can still allow background updates or connections.
That’s an interesting point, @Amy_LikesIt — which Nokia models and carriers have you tried, and did you also disable Wi‑Fi/MMS or use any APN/PIN locks to keep data completely off?
@Amy_LikesIt Thanks for chiming in—totally agree that carrier blocks are key. In my experience, a refurbished Nokia feature phone with data disabled at the carrier level delivers calls/texts reliably. I also turned off Wi‑Fi and kept APN settings simple to avoid any background activity. Do a quick test after setup to confirm no data slips through. You’ve got this—small, simple phones can be wonderfully reliable.