Dumb phones and digital disconnecting devices are extremely cool, but they can also be a little bit out of our budget or we just need one extra app for work that we can't let go of. Well, we can actually make a non-distracting device similar to a light phone in just three steps. And then the part that always gets me when I try set it up to actually still be a useful phone in one extra step.
🚀 The Three-Step Setup Process
Oasis Launcher makes it incredibly simple to transform your Android device into a minimalist productivity tool. Here's how the setup works:
Step 1: Install and Set as Default
The first step is installing the Oasis launcher and setting it as your default home screen. This replaces your normal phone interface with a clean, distraction-free environment designed for intentional usage.
Step 2: Configure Your Homepage
Once installed, you can customize your home screen by selecting which apps you actually need. The launcher provides access to all your installed apps, but you choose which ones deserve a spot on your main screen. This is where it starts looking like a light phone - clean, minimal, and purposeful.
💡 Pro Tip: The immersive mode feature hides the top bar, and you can center-align your apps just like a traditional light phone for that authentic minimalist feel.
Step 3: Add Resistance to Distracting Apps
This is where Oasis really shines. You can add friction to opening distracting apps by requiring users to solve a math problem, wait 10 seconds, or read a custom message you've written to yourself. Alternatively, you can hide apps completely while still maintaining access through the settings.
🎯 The Game-Changing Fourth Step: Folders
What sets Oasis apart from other minimalist launchers is its folder functionality. While other launchers leave you scrolling through a long list of apps, Oasis allows you to group apps together just like a regular home screen. This solves the biggest problem with minimalist launchers - losing track of useful apps.
You can create folders for work apps, tools, or any category that makes sense for your workflow. This means you still have quick access to the apps you actually need while maintaining that clean, distraction-free interface.
⚙️ Advanced Customization Features
Pro Mode Benefits
The pro version offers several compelling features:
- Solid black background - Instead of the default wavy pattern
- Widget support - Add productivity widgets to your home screen
- Folder organization - The key feature for maintaining usability
Gesture Customization
You can customize what happens when you swipe up - whether it opens a Google search, launches a specific app, or performs another action. This adds another layer of personalization to your minimalist setup.
Visual Customization
For Samsung users, you can enable color correction to make everything monochrome, further reducing the visual appeal of distracting apps. This creates an experience similar to the Hyere Pro, where colorful social media apps become less enticing in black and white.
📊 Does It Actually Work?
The most important question is whether Oasis Launcher actually delivers on its promises. Based on extensive testing, the answer is a resounding yes. Here's why:
- Reduced social media usage - The friction and visual changes make mindless scrolling less appealing
- Increased productivity - Quick access to tools and work apps without the clutter
- More intentional phone usage - The setup encourages you to think before opening apps
- Better focus - Less visual noise means less cognitive load
🎯 Real Results: Users report using social media less and reading more, with the Bible app easily accessible through the swipe-up gesture. The folders make it easy to find the tools you actually need without getting lost in a sea of apps.
💰 Pricing and Value
Oasis Launcher offers flexible pricing options:
- Monthly subscription - Around $3 per month
- Lifetime purchase - $20 one-time payment
For long-term users, the lifetime option provides excellent value. The monthly option is perfect for those who want to try it out before committing.
👨💻 The Personal Touch
One of the most endearing aspects of Oasis Launcher is that it's developed by a one-person team. When contacted about this review, the developer personally responded, showing the personal attention and care that goes into the app. This level of direct communication is rare in today's app ecosystem.
🔄 The Verdict
Oasis Launcher successfully transforms your smartphone into a tool rather than a distraction without requiring you to buy a new device. It strikes the perfect balance between minimalism and functionality, offering:
- Light phone aesthetics with smartphone functionality
- Intelligent friction to reduce mindless usage
- Organizational tools that other minimalist launchers lack
- Customization options for different user preferences
"It really transforms my phone into a tool rather than a distraction. And I don't have to buy a new device. If you want to buy a new device, they're amazing. But if you can't or you don't want to, this I think is the greatest option to make your smartphone work for you."
🎯 Final Thoughts
Oasis Launcher is more than just another minimalist launcher - it's a thoughtful solution to the problem of smartphone distraction. By combining the best aspects of light phones with the functionality we need from smartphones, it creates a unique and effective approach to digital minimalism.
Whether you're looking to reduce screen time, increase productivity, or simply create a more intentional relationship with your phone, Oasis Launcher delivers on its promises. The three-step setup process makes it accessible to anyone, while the advanced features provide the customization options that power users need.
For anyone considering a light phone but needing smartphone functionality, or for those simply wanting to make their current device less distracting, Oasis Launcher is an excellent choice that truly works.
