frequently asked questions.
what is the dumbphone 2?+
the dumbphone 2 is a TCL flip 2 with our custom dumbOS software. it can function as a standalone device or as a companion device to your smartphone, so you can confidently exist IRL without losing the must-haves.
plan details+
the dumbphone 2 comes with its own SIM and associated phone plan. alternate SIM cards and phone plans are not supported on the dumbphone and are incompatible with our custom dumbOS.
when your dumbphone arrives, you pick the plan that best fits your lifestyle. change anytime as your journey evolves.
all plans come with unlimited calls and texts in the U.S. and 1GB of data per month.
dumb — $25.99/mo + tax (for the music streaming lovers)
companion compatible, forwards calls & texts, contacts sync, smart music (spotify + apple music compatible), whatsapp, signal, rideshare, 2FA, maps, alarm clock, camera, recorder, weather, internal MP3.
dumber — $20.99/mo + tax (most popular plan)
companion compatible, forwards calls & texts, contacts sync, whatsapp, signal, rideshare, 2FA, maps, alarm clock, camera, recorder, weather, internal MP3.
dumbest — $15.99/mo + tax (for those ready to ditch their smartphone completely)
rideshare, 2FA, maps, alarm clock, camera, recorder, weather, internal MP3.
how does syncing work?+
the syncing feature is only included with the dumb and dumber plans. using it is not required to use either plan.
choosing to sync the dumbphone 2 with your smartphone allows texts and calls to be forwarded to your dumbphone. due to current tech, outgoing calls are made from your dumbphone's number, while all incoming calls can be forwarded to your dumbphone. when texting from your dumbphone via smart txt, non-dumbphone users won't be able to tell the difference.
do i need a second phone number?+
if you plan to continue using your smartphone, you DO need to get a secondary number. transferring your phone number will end active service on your current device.
do i have to sync with my smartphone?+
syncing is not required, but is an added feature that comes with our dumb and dumber plans. you do not have to use the syncing setup to access these plans. for those that want zero ties to their smartphone and limited apps, the dumbest plan is our most minimalistic.
where is the dumbphone 2 available?+
the dumbphone 2 is available in 49 U.S. states (excluding Alaska) and Puerto Rico. if you want the dumbphone in your country, fill out this interest form.
is sideloading supported?+
while possible, we do not support sideloading on the dumbphone. this can disrupt or cause irreversible damage to the dumbOS and slow down core functionality. our dumbOS software has been custom built and optimized for the dumbphone 2 hardware. sideloading can wipe the software and requires a replacement phone. dumb.co does not provide technical support for personal sideloading.
questions about personal data + security+
the dumbphone's connection is end-to-end encrypted. we do not log, store, or have access to message content or personal information at any point.
how does signal work on the phone?+
the dumbphone 2 links to your existing signal account as a secondary device, using the same linked-device flow as signal desktop. keys and messages remain on the phone and communicate directly with signal’s service without passing through our infrastructure.
we’re happy to answer any other questions about signal on the dumbphone 2 – just reach out to us at support@dumb.co
what are the phone hardware specs?+
the dumbphone 2 is a modified and custom phone based on a TCL flip 2.
specs: 4G LTE, wi-fi, bluetooth, 2.8-inch internal display, 2 MP rear camera, 3.5mm jack, USB type-C, microSD support up to 128 GB.
can i cancel anytime?+
upon activating your dumbphone plan, there is a 4-month minimum commitment. if cancelled before this period, billing will continue until the minimum has been met. you can process a cancellation at any time by calling 404-716-3605 or within your plan portal at dumb.co/mobile. we are unable to pause phone service at this time.
replacements and refunds policy+
should your phone or SIM arrive out of the box with any defects, please reach out to support@dumb.co or our dumb line at 404-716-3605 to get a replacement. damage caused by consumer usage requires a $65 replacement fee to cover the hardware cost. no partial refunds are issued for unused billing time.
special circumstances may apply where full refunds are accepted. in these cases, the device must be returned undamaged with all original packaging and accessories for a full refund to be processed.
setup
how does setup work?+
1. the dumbphone SIM comes pre-inserted. once you receive your dumbphone you'll register + activate your SIM on dumb.co/mobile.
2. pick your plan and pay.
3. you can now power on your dumbphone. if using the dumbphone as a companion device you'll be prompted to download the dumb down app to complete setup. this is a step-by-step walkthrough for syncing contacts, logging into smart txt, and setting up call forwarding. your dumb journey has begun!
where is my SIM?+
your SIM (a physical tiny white card) is installed in the SIM tray inside the dumbphone. we pre-insert it for you so you don’t have to worry about opening up phone back.
you’ll find that closed within the dumbphone is a large white card. the SIM # (IICD) is located on the back of this card. you’ll go to dumb.co/mobile to activate your new line by typing in this number.
having trouble locating your SIM? email support@dumb.co.
how do i put my current number on the dumbphone? should i?+
if you transfer your phone number to the dumbphone, your service will be cancelled on your current phone. we do not advise this if you intend to continue using your smartphone or are new to the dumbphone lifestyle. in these cases you need to get a new number.
if you're ready to make the jump, you'll need to contact your current phone carrier and request your account number and transfer PIN to keep your current phone number on the dumbphone.
can i use the companion setup with my icloud login / on an ipad?+
yes! you only need an icloud account to send and receive messages via smart txt. texts will sync between smart txt and any other apple devices you own that are signed into icloud.
call forwarding will not work, as it occurs at the cellular network level and requires a smartphone.
does the dumbphone support google voice?+
the dumbphone does not support syncing with smartphones on google voice plans.
can i do the companion setup without using the dumb down app?+
the dumb down app supports iOS 16 and on; those with older phones will be unable to download the app. you can still use the companion setup without it, though the process varies:
1. you can still log in to smart txt, you'll just need to do so manually on the dumbphone. the dumb down app simply allows for type sync (logging in using your smartphone's keyboard rather than directly on the dumbphone).
2. call forwarding can still be enabled, but this has to be done manually. you'll need to look up your carrier's call forwarding code and enter this alongside your dumbphone number on your smartphone. the same process can be done for turning this setting off.
3. contact sync will be the most difficult part, as the dumb down app does the brunt of this. to do this manually, export your contacts to a .vcf file and save the file onto the phone, or transfer it via USB cable or bluetooth.
SIM doesn't register on dumbphone+
1. on the registration error screen on the dumbphone, use the up button + OK button to select skip.
2. go to all apps → updates and install the latest update.
3. if you don’t see an update, turn airplane mode on, then off, and check again.
4. once updated, dial #686#. if the call connects, your dumbphone is successfully set up.
if the above does not work, contact us at support@dumb.co.
general
does my smartphone have to be on for syncing to work?+
here's what works when your smartphone is on/off, and what doesn't:
still works if your phone is turned OFF:
- call forwarding (just make sure you toggle call forwarding to dumbphone only before powering off)
- imessage
only works if your phone is turned ON:
- text message forwarding (SMS on iphone, aka green bubbles)
- google messages for android
can i put my current phone number on the dumbphone?+
transferring your phone number will cancel the service on your current phone. after the transfer finishes, the number will only work on your dumbphone.
do not choose this option if you want to keep service on your smartphone.
i'm not getting alerts for text notifications and can't hear my ringtone sounds+
mute txt, found within your notifications, must be toggled off in order to receive audio text alerts and to play ringtone sounds.
how do i turn off emergency alerts?+
you can turn off emergency alerts and notifications with the following steps:
1. navigate to settings → wireless & networks
2. from here go to wireless emergency alerts → settings
3. this takes you to a menu with all possible emergency alerts. when choosing one you will have the option to select "off," disabling notifications for it.
can i use the music features without a smartphone?+
you do not need a smartphone to stream music on apple music or spotify on the dumbphone 2. all you need is an existing account or subscription for the platforms to stream their music.
can i download my own music?+
yes! the dumbphone can serve as your personal MP3 player. you can download music within our native music application or insert a micro SD card.
does the dumbphone support carplay?+
you can play music through your car's speakers by connecting the dumbphone via bluetooth. it does not connect to carplay.
is email supported on the dumbphone?+
the dumbphone does not support email. we know email is important to a lot of people, but leaving it out is one of the most intentional choices we made.
we want to move away from supercomputer expectations, so we've developed a communication device with a few essentials that helps lead people to decreased screen time and fewer notifications. the dumbphone is built to handle the essentials without becoming another device that's constantly pulling for your attention. for us, email crosses that line.
does the dumbphone have a digital wallet or support banking apps?+
the dumbphone 2 does not currently have a digital wallet or support any banking apps. having a dumbphone asks for lifestyle change in certain areas. for payments, we recommend going old school and carrying a wallet with physical cards and cash.
if your bank requires multi-factor authentication, make sure it is SMS-enabled, so you do not need to grant approval through the app.
i'm getting an influx of spam calls + texts+
it's common to receive spam calls and texts on a "new" phone number because carriers often recycle numbers previously used by someone who left them on marketing lists.
these are our recommendations:
1. register for free on the national "do not call" registry by entering your phone number and email. this blocks telemarketers.
2. block any unknown spam numbers that call or text.
3. forward spam texts to 7726 ("SPAM" on most keypads). this reports scams to the phone carrier to help block them, and reporting enables providers to track threats and reduce the volume of spam.
4. some cell providers offer "call control": callers calling for the first time are prompted to enter a number from the keypad before the call goes through.
can i add multiple calendars to my smart cal?+
we currently do not allow users to add multiple google calendars to smart cal. if you would like to see events from both calendars, we recommend sharing your personal calendar with your work account.
weak battery or phone randomly shutting off+
we are constantly improving the battery given all the features we've added to a dumbphone! try the steps below:
1. go to all apps → updates and install the latest update.
2. restart the phone.
3. give 1-2 days to see if there is any improvement.
4. if you do not notice any improvement, contact us at support@dumb.co.
porting
what is porting a number?+
porting a phone number is the process of transferring your existing telephone number from one service provider to another. it allows you to keep your exact phone number when switching between wireless carriers.
when you port your number, you lose service on your old smartphone. it is not currently possible to have one phone number associated with two phones or SIM cards.
i transferred my number and am not receiving some texts, why?+
it takes anywhere from a few hours up to 48 hours for a transfer to fully update.
after transferring a number to a new service, you may encounter an issue in which you are not receiving all calls or texts. this indicates a partial port, or that the port is still being processed by your previous carrier.
after porting your number be sure to:
- check your portal at dumb.co/mobile to see your porting status. if it says porting complete or porting incomplete, reach out to your old carrier for a status update.
- if you transferred your number to the dumbphone from an iphone, confirm your number has been deregistered from imessage. see deregistering details here.
dumb txt
i'm missing group messages within dumb txt+
1. open up the dumb txt app.
2. go to options → settings → group messaging.
3. make sure group messaging is turned on.
syncing
i'm having issues with call forwarding+
make sure the dumb down app is completely up to date and that the selected forward setting is LIVE. if you're still having issues you can reset your forwarding setting by switching to smartphone only, verifying, and switching back to your preferred forwarding setting.
smart txt
iphone: smart txt isn't syncing all messages+
in your smartphone settings go to messages and confirm the following are selected:
1. send & receive: both your number and email address should be selected under 'you can receive messages to and reply from'.
2. if email is not there you'll need to log in to icloud with your email.
3. under 'start new conversations from' you should only have your phone number selected.
4. under 'text message forwarding' a MAC with a long serial number should be visible. make sure this is toggled on.
5. under 'text messaging' MMS messaging and all RCS messaging should be toggled on.
iphone: not receiving android, sms, or "green" texts+
if you're using an iphone to sync your dumbphone:
1. open settings → apps → messages.
2. tap text message forwarding.
3. make sure forwarding is turned on for your dumbphone.
you can also find these steps in the dumb down app on your smartphone.
i'm getting a -6009 error: "for security reasons iMessage has not authorized you to log in"+
to resolve the issue:
1. open the settings app on your iphone (or system settings on mac), then select your name.
2. scroll down and tap contact key verification.
3. turn off verification in imessage and tap continue.
4. open the smart txt app on your dumbphone and try signing in again.
i'm getting a "failed to authenticate" / "this account needs to accept the TOS" (MOBILEME_TERMS_OF_SERVICE_UPDATE) error+
to resolve this you'll need to update to the latest update and accept the terms and conditions at account.apple.com.
android: smart txt isn't syncing messages+
make sure your phone is set up for android messages:
1. on your dumbphone, open all apps → device setup.
2. continue until you see "which texts r u syncing?"
3. choose android.
please note: if you have an android phone running a de-googled operating system, text sync is not supported.
i ported my number and am unable to access smart txt+
if you've transferred your number to the dumbphone from an android device, smart txt will not work.
call forwarding
i'm getting a registration failing error when trying to turn on call forwarding+
the dumb down app is a circumvented process we've created to make adjusting forwarding easy! this function varies carrier to carrier, and this error indicates you'll need to reach out to your smartphone carrier directly to have the function enabled.
i have verizon and am having issues turning on "ring both phones"+
on iOS 17 and newer, live voicemail answers unanswered calls right on your phone, and it grabs the call before verizon's "forward if no answer" can send it to your dumbphone.
to fix it:
1. on your smartphone turn off live voicemail: settings → apps → phone → live voicemail and toggle it off. (on some iOS versions it's settings → phone → live voicemail.)
2. reset forwarding: dial *73 and press call.
3. go back to the dumb down app and try turning on the "ring both phones" option again.
i can't tell if i set up call forwarding correctly+
confirm your dumb down app on your smartphone is completely up to date. the word LIVE indicates the current forwarding option that's been selected. if you're still having issues or unsure if it's on, reset forwarding:
1. reset the selection to smartphone only, confirmed by it showing as LIVE.
2. you can now switch to 'ring both phones'. this will prompt you to go through a 3-step setup, verifying that forwarding has been turned on and is working!
contact sync
whatsapp
i'm getting a green spinning wheel when trying to access WhatsApp, and it's being really buggy+
1. be sure your dumbphone is completely up to date.
2. go back into all apps and long-press the "WhatsApp" app.
3. click the "disable" option (it should change to say "enable" after this step).
4. click the "clear cache/storage" option.
5. click the "enable" option.
6. open up WhatsApp again and you're able to re-sync!
i can't scan the WhatsApp QR code+
1. update to the latest version of the phone.
2. go back to WhatsApp where the QR code is.
3. make sure the QR code is generated and press the # key. this should give you a big QR code and aid in scanning.
4. once your smartphone says "logging in", hit the back button on your dumbphone!
can i call internationally on WhatsApp?+
yes! you can make international calls within WhatsApp. native international calls cannot be made on the dumbphone.
mp3
how can i download music, photos, and videos onto the dumbphone and vice versa?+
downloading music, images, or videos from or to your dumbphone can be done with computer software, commonly OpenMTP for mac users or Quick Share for windows.
how can i easily get photos from my dumbphone to my smartphone?+
if you don't want the hassle of downloading software onto your computer to retrieve photos or videos, you can simply text them to your smartphone number! all you need to do is:
1. open your camera and view the gallery.
2. slide through the photos you're looking to send, select 'options' → share → messages.
2fa
is your 2FA application compatible with my school or job's required authentication?+
some schools and workplaces require a specific MFA (multi-factor authenticator); in certain cases they may not be compatible with our 2FA app. our authenticator will only work with services that support 3rd-party MFAs.
setting up the dumbphone 2
setting up the dumber plan
T9 bootcamp! (& voice 2 text)
nothing in this tab yet.
