moss vs Dumb Phone
An iPhone app that swaps the icon grid for a plain text list of a few apps.
Checked 11 November 2026 against Tigas Industries Pty Ltd's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Dumb Phone is
Dumb Phone is an iPhone app that replaces the grid of icons with text-style launchers for a few essential apps. It also has a Detox Mode that blocks non-essential apps through Screen Time. The site says it is free to try. Pro is paid: the App Store lists 1 month at $2.99 to $5.99, 1 year at $9.99 to $19.99 and Lifetime at $24.99 to $49.99, so check the price in the app. It needs iOS 16.1 or later.
What moss is
moss is an iPhone app that comes with a small physical stone. You choose the apps that distract you, tap your phone on the stone, and those apps stay locked until you tap the stone again. People who live together can link their phones to share schedules and put their phones down at the same time, while each person keeps control of their own phone. Locking is free in the app, the stone is a one-time purchase, and the household features are a paid add-on.
Side by side
| Feature | moss | Dumb Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | Free to try. App Store lists Pro at $2.99 to $5.99 a month, $9.99 to $19.99 a year, Lifetime $24.99 to $49.99 |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | Optional, with a lifetime option |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | iPhone (iOS 16.1+) |
| How you lock | Tap the stone, or start from the app, a Shortcut, the lock screen or the Action Button. Schedules by day of week | A minimalist home screen. Detox Mode blocks non-essential apps through Screen Time |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Not stated |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | Not stated |
| Locking together as a household | Yes, as a paid add-on. Shared schedules, sessions others join in one tap, a view of whose phone is down, a streak. Nobody controls anyone else | None stated |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | No key |
Where Dumb Phone is better
- It changes the whole home screen, so the phone looks plain all day and not only during a session.
- There is no hardware to buy, lose or wait for.
- It runs on iOS 16.1. moss needs iOS 17.
Where moss is better
- A lock, not a plainer screen. Unlocking always needs the stone.
- Locking is free in the app, with no subscription or lifetime fee.
- Three emergency unlocks a month that refill automatically.
- Households can lock together and see whose phone is down.
Who should pick which
Pick Dumb Phone if
You want your phone to look less tempting all day and do not want hardware.
Pick moss if
You want set hours when the apps are gone until you walk to the stone.
Sources
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
moss is a stone that locks the apps you choose.
Tap to lock, tap to unlock. One price, and locking needs no subscription.
