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Nostalgic reboots aren’t just a Hollywood thing. For movie lovers of a certain age, The Parent Trap — in which identical twins separated at birth swap places for the summer — dials up childhood memories of what we now call “dumb phones.” (And yes, the 1961 original starring Hayley Mills and the 1998 remake with Lindsay Lohan both work in this case study.) Mills’ and Lohans’ tween characters communicate via an old-school telephone — complete with a coiled cord! — to keep their switcheroo scheme going; in one instance, even ye olde ancient telegram is involved. Screen-free communication made life simpler; a calendar invite wasn’t required to set a play date.
No wonder The Atlantic‘s recent story on landlines for kids was the headline reposted by exhausted, plugged-in parents around the world. Amid studies noting the negative effects of social media and screen time on children’s attention spans and mood, caregivers are forgoing smartwatches and smartphones to give their screen-obsessed kiddos a lesson in “olden days” communication. For parents — including this writer — fed up with playing telephone operator and calendar keeper, a landline feels like the smartest solution.
After that article, this parent of two was among those Googling “how to set up a landline using a cell phone.” A recent switch to T-Mobile got us a free third line (via a monthly bill credit) when we ported our family’s existing two numbers to the mobile carrier. With an extra SIM card and no chance that our 7- and 9-year-olds will get a phone anytime soon, we went on a hunt to find a device that could MacGyver a cell phone into a modern-day, screen-free tin can. (Kids these days should know their way around a paperclip, right?)
Related: The Best Cell Phone Plans Offering Free iPhones, Netflix and More Perks
Our search led to Cell2Jack, an adapter that plugs into your landline phone and uses Bluetooth to connectsto an existing cell phone with wireless service. We used an old Samsung Galaxy S21 phone for our extra cell line, but any device that supports 5G can work.
Setup was seamless and we were able to send and receive calls immediately. The smartphone still functions normally, but our kids don’t get access to the device (no texting, Googling, YouTube, etc.). Next on our McGyvering to-do list: a screen-free answering machine so the kiddos know when a voicemail arrives.
So far, the dumb phone has been our success. Our kids called all their grandparents within 24 hours of the phone’s connection. (There was a learning curve when it came to the rotary dial and leaving a voicemail message. “A robot grandma was talking to me,” our daughter explained.) Their cousins are next on the call list. And they’re excited to share their numbers with new classmates now that school has begun. (If the phone starts ringing off the hook, ask us again if we’re happy with our decision.)
If you don’t have T-Mobile, other wireless providers, including Verizon and AT&T, offer ways to link your cell to a home telephone.
Want to set up your own landline? Shop the Cell2Jack below, plus some of our favorite retro and novelty phones from Amazon, Etsy and beyond for adding some fun to your kids’ (or your) next convos.
CELL2JACK Cellphone to Home Phone Adapter
Banana Phone Bluetooth Handset for iPhone and Android Mobile Devices (Single Banana)
Orange you glad it’s a banana?
GPO 746 Retro Rotary Dial Landline Phone
Sangyn Rotary Landline Telephone
AT&T DL72319 DECT 6.0 3-Handset Cordless Phone for Home with Connect to Cell
What this phone lacks in style, it makes up for in utility. Those with AT&T can use the Connect to Cell feature to use this cordless handset with their mobile phone line.
Opis 1921 Cable C: The Wooden Old Fashioned Landline Phone
Downton Abbey called: it wants its candlestick phone back.
Classic Traditional Landline Phone with Visible Ringing Indicator
Basic in beige — complete with a mechanical ringtone and light indicator.
Throw it back to Juno with this cheeseburger phone.
Homer Simpson Animated Phone
Homer’s at Moe’s, but leave a message and he’ll call you right back (after he drinks up his Duff).
Mickey Mouse Telemania Talking Telephone
Dial up some Disney magic with this ’90s treasure.
