Smartphones can feel like tiny prisons we carry around in our pockets. Constant notifications, social media stress, and endless messages can wear anyone down, even the biggest stars in the world.
Some celebrities got so fed up that they tossed their smartphones aside and never looked back. Here are 19 famous people who made the bold choice to unplug and reclaim their peace of mind.
1. Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley has been living without a smartphone for over a decade, and she says it was one of the best decisions she ever made. Getting rid of her phone helped her reclaim her privacy in a world that never seems to stop watching.
What surprised her most was that she actually started communicating better with the people around her.
Without constant screen distractions, real conversations became possible again. Her story is a reminder that less technology can sometimes mean more connection.
2. Michael Cera
Michael Cera’s distaste for smartphones is so well-known that his co-stars noticed right away. When the cast of Barbie set up a group chat, Cera could not even be included because his flip phone was simply not compatible with the app they used.
Rather than feel left out, he seemed perfectly fine with it.
His early aversion to smartphones speaks volumes about how some people just know what works for them. Cera proves you do not need a fancy device to stay grounded.
3. Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran publicly walked away from his smartphone back in 2015, and he has been open about why. Scrolling through social media left him feeling overwhelmed and genuinely sad, which is not a great headspace for one of the world’s most successful songwriters.
He later picked up a flip phone as part of a New Year’s resolution to cut social media out of his daily life.
The change helped him focus on music and real relationships. Sometimes the best creative decision is simply logging off.
4. Sarah Jessica Parker
Back in 2013, Sarah Jessica Parker hit a wall with her smartphone. The constant flood of voicemails and messages became too much to handle, so she made the practical choice to scale back.
She kept a BlackBerry strictly for emails and switched to a basic phone for everyday calls.
It was a smart middle-ground solution that let her stay connected without drowning in notifications. Her approach shows that you do not have to go completely off-grid to find relief from tech overload.
5. Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale has made no secret of the fact that she prefers a flip phone over any iPhone. Her attitude is refreshingly straightforward: she is simply not interested in owning one.
Spotted with her trusty flip phone on multiple occasions, she carries it with the same confidence she brings to everything else.
In an industry obsessed with the latest gadgets, her low-tech preference stands out. It is a quiet statement that not everyone needs to be glued to a touchscreen to live their best life.
6. Chris Pine
Chris Pine used a flip phone for years before finally giving in and trying an iPhone in 2022. The experiment did not go well.
He reportedly disliked the experience and was already longing to go back to his simpler device soon after switching.
His story is relatable for anyone who has felt overwhelmed by a new phone loaded with features they never asked for. Sometimes the upgrade is actually a downgrade for your peace of mind.
7. Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has been on a deliberate journey to protect his mental health, and cutting back on smartphone use became part of that effort. He recognized that constant connectivity was hurting both his well-being and his creativity.
Reports suggest he eventually stopped using any cell phone at all.
For someone who grew up in the spotlight of social media, that is a dramatic and brave choice. His decision reflects a growing awareness among celebrities that fame and constant online access can be a toxic combination.
8. Elton John
Elton John has never owned a cell phone, and he seems perfectly happy about it. He has said he simply could not bear to have one, preferring to keep his personal life as private as possible.
When he wants to video call his children, he uses an iPad instead.
For a man who has sold out arenas around the world, choosing to live without a phone is a surprisingly humble and intentional lifestyle choice. It turns out even rock legends need boundaries.
9. Rihanna
Rihanna is not just a global superstar; she is also someone who values her mental space enough to take regular digital detoxes. She has been photographed using a black T-Mobile flip phone, swapping out her smartphone when she needs a break from the noise.
For someone running a music career and a billion-dollar beauty empire, those tech breaks probably feel like a breath of fresh air. Her flip phone moments remind fans that even the busiest people need to slow down sometimes.
10. Victoria Justice
Victoria Justice turned heads at Coachella recently when she was spotted carrying a limited-edition flip phone instead of the latest iPhone. At a festival famous for people snapping endless photos and sharing them instantly online, her choice felt like a small act of rebellion.
It was a fun and stylish nod to a simpler era of communication. Whether it was a fashion statement or a genuine lifestyle preference, it got people talking about the value of stepping back from constant connectivity.
11. Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop, the godfather of punk, has a surprisingly practical reason for sticking with his old Rugby flip phone: the thing is basically indestructible. He has openly admitted to feeling scared of his smartphone and computer, which is honestly a very relatable feeling for anyone who has ever been overwhelmed by technology.
His loyalty to a durable, no-frills device perfectly matches his no-nonsense personality. When you have spent decades living life on your own terms, a tough little flip phone makes total sense.
12. Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour, the famously fierce editor-in-chief of Vogue, has been spotted using a flip phone at high-profile events like the U.S. Open.
In a fashion world that worships the newest and shiniest things, her preference for a basic phone is unexpectedly charming.
It suggests that one of the most influential women in media knows exactly what she needs and does not need in her life. Sometimes the most powerful move is choosing simplicity over status symbols.
13. Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones, the outspoken owner of the Dallas Cowboys, is a proud flip phone user with some very practical reasons for his choice. He points out that flip phones help him avoid accidentally dialing someone while the phone is in his pocket, which is a real and embarrassing problem many people have faced.
He also values the privacy a basic phone offers for sensitive business conversations. For a man managing one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world, that kind of discretion matters a lot.
14. Stephen Schwarzman
Stephen Schwarzman, the CEO of Blackstone Group, keeps it surprisingly simple when it comes to communication. He uses a Nokia 6350 flip phone for calls and relies on an iPad when he needs more functionality.
For someone overseeing one of the largest investment firms on the planet, that setup is remarkably low-tech.
His approach shows that you do not need a cutting-edge smartphone to run a multi-billion dollar operation. Clear, focused communication can happen just as well on a basic device.
15. Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson’s move toward a flip phone may have been inspired by a deeply uncomfortable experience: having her personal email account hacked. That kind of privacy violation can change how anyone thinks about connected devices.
Choosing a basic phone is one way to limit the digital footprint that hackers can target.
Beyond security, there is something freeing about carrying a device that just makes calls and sends texts. Her preference is a quiet reminder that protecting your personal life is always worth prioritizing.
16. Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck became something of a legend in the NFL not just for his quarterback skills but also for his famously low-tech phone habits. He used a Samsung flip phone for years during his professional career, and he even answered the call on his NFL draft day using that same device.
That story became a beloved piece of sports trivia. It showed that one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league had no interest in being defined by his gadgets, only by his game.
17. Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari made a deliberate and very public decision to step away from the smartphone world. He now uses a flip phone and a landline, and he even has an assistant handle his email so he does not have to deal with the inbox himself.
For a comedian who built part of his career commenting on modern dating and technology culture, the choice feels both ironic and completely earned. He has talked openly about how much calmer and more present he feels without a smartphone buzzing in his pocket all day.
18. Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan, the director behind massive films like Inception and The Dark Knight, has chosen to live without a smartphone to protect his focus. Distractions are the enemy of great filmmaking, and Nolan takes that seriously.
When he needs to make a call, he picks up a landline.
His philosophy is simple: a clear mind produces better work. In a world where directors are expected to be constantly reachable, his boundary-setting is both unusual and deeply admirable.
19. Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken has never owned a cell phone or a computer, and he describes that choice as genuinely peaceful. He compares a cell phone to a tracking collar, something that follows you everywhere and never lets you truly be alone.
The only phones he ever uses are the ones provided on movie sets.
His perspective is wonderfully old-school and refreshing. In a world where everyone is constantly reachable, Walken has quietly carved out a life where he answers to no notification, ever.