In honor of World Wellbeing Day, October 11, Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has officially launched its new Detox Mode across its latest smartphone portfolio. The new feature is designed to help users disconnect from digital overload, and is now available in the latest software update for the HMD Skyline smartphone.
HMD wants you to reconnect with the real world
Wellbeing Day is a global day dedicated to promoting physical, mental, and emotional health. Its purpose is to encourage people to focus on self-care, stress reduction, and overall well-being by stepping back from their busy lives, including their use of digital devices.
Companies and organizations often use this day to raise awareness about mental health and encourage practices that support a balanced lifestyle, and HMD is among them. The brand behind popular Nokia phones conducted a recent survey, which revealed that 38% of 16 to 24 year olds are concerned about spending too much time on social media.
As a result, they introduced the Detox Mode feature to help them customize app access, contacts, and even schedule “soft” or “hard” locks on their devices.
Detox Mode is currently available as part of the latest Android 14 (version V1.480) software update for the HMD Skyline smartphone. HMD calls it their “hero device” because it’s their standout product from earlier this year in July.
The phone offers a 6.55-inch P-OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 108MP wide camera, and a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, among other impressive specifications. It’s also the first Android phone to use the Qi2 charging technology.
Skyline Detox Mode helps you step away from digital noise
HMD’s Detox Mode puts a widget right on your home screen after the latest update for the Skyline phone. You’ll tap to activate it and choose how long you want to stay off certain apps. Once you do, those apps will disappear from your home screen, helping you resist the urge to check them.
You’ll also stop getting notifications, and the wallpaper will switch to a calmer tone. Whether you need a quick 20-minute break or a full weekend detox, you can set it up just the way you like. Additionally, you can block texts from specific contacts who often message you during your downtime.
As aforementioned, there are two levels to the Detox Mode. Soft Lock lets you quickly pause your digital detox, so you can check an important app or message without fully disconnecting. In contrast, Hard Lock is a stricter option that forces you to stay away from your devices for a longer period, like 12 hours or even two days. If you really need to get back into your apps during Hard Lock, you’ll have to restart your device. But doing so makes you think twice about whether you really need to check social media.
Unplug at your own pace
If you’re ready to take a step towards better mental health, the Skyline smartphone with Detox Mode is available now on HMD’s official website and Amazon. Treat yourself to a device that not only keeps you connected but also helps you disconnect when you need it most.
That said, you’ll want to take things slow if you’re new to digital detoxing. Start with short breaks between 20 or 30 minutes, to gradually ease into it. You can even schedule time each day or week to maintain consistency. After each detox session, reflect on how you felt and whether the process helped reduce stress.
