How to get away from owning a smartphone

đź”°Hurling⚜️Durlingđź”±@lemmy.world to Ask Lemmy@lemmy.world – 80 points –

Hey everyone, I was entertaining the thought of going away from owning a smart phone.

I already have a modded ipod classic that I use as my main music player.

I also know how to use a paper map.

I also have the Microsoft authentication app for work (I could just use my phone on wifi mode for this)

The last issue I have is WhatsApp where I communicate with friends and family around the world.

Is there a way to use WhatsApp on a non-smart phone? Or should I just buy a pixel and install a secure rom?

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Still using a laptop? Isn’t there a WhatsApp download for a desktop app?

Edit - although you would still need some sort of smartish phone to set that up I am sure.

Haven’t checked the same might be true for the Authenticator app. If you are just dealing with one time number codes there are Firefox plug ins you can use.

Isn’t there a WhatsApp download for a desktop app?

all I know about it is the following:

While the messaging platform already offers cross-platform support, users were able to add a new contact only via the primary Android phone or iOS handset—by adding a phone number or scanning a QR code. ... In a press release, WhatsApp notes that users will soon be able to add and manage contacts through WhatsApp Web and also through Windows platforms or their preferred device, like Android tablets.

https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/whatsapp-likely-to-have-userames-soon

unclear if/how soon you'll be able to use it without a phone number at all.

I use WhatsApp on my computer, in a web browser, but you do have to activate it from your phone via a q code.

You didn't think meta would give away Whatsapp without harvesting your phone number did you? Remember you and your data are the product