How Do I Buy A Smart Phone? - I just want 2FA

[Prj4MW8iPT3vmFM2rzDc]

Seen lots of viable suggestions in here that will save you money in the long run. Hope one of them work out for you Judge Dredd .

 

[DeadwastePrime]

dont spend more than 500 dollars on a phone unless you really want the higher end hardware of the new phones, which it seems you dont. do not however cheap out too much on a phone cause trust me the low end phones are not that great. a year of updates and shit later, they will become bogged down.

 

[Gravemind]

ITT: Common consensus is "Use every workaround possible to not get a phone. Phones suck."

I was moderately curious if you'd get any actual responses because I asked pretty much the same question in the smartphone thread a little while back and never got an answer. I can see why now.

Which is odd considering how many phoneposters use this site.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Small update to finish this thread for anyone who cares.

I did eventually get a smart phone, but I've still not used it for my intended purpose.

I got a pay as you go phone since I didn't intend to use it much, only to learn that credit you buy is removed after a month. This seems insane to me, but when I bring this up as a complaint, people look at me as if I'm the problem. The plan can be switched to credit that doesn't expire, but even with that the phone number is revoked if you don't use it enough. My concern is that I'll be suddenly locked out of whatever accounts.

The excuse for this is "just send a few texts every month and you'll be fine" or "just keep creating new accounts". I'm amazed people put up with it. No one would buy a car where you were forced to do at least one handstand a week or else the wheels disappear. Or maybe they would and I'm just being optimistic.

 

[Georgio Cocklord]

The simple answer is dont, buy a drug dealer dummy phone which is disposable and has a removable battery only capable of calls and text messaging. Anything else with a remotely available internet connection and competent interfaces is definitely trying to steal your data.

 

[Perfectly Innocent]

If I can get away with a regular phone, great! Some 2FA ask that I open a companion app or similar.

Check what standards the services use. Most use Timed One-Time Passwords (TOTP) which involves a 6 digit code which regularly changes. If those are all you need to deal with, you do not need a phone at all and can use any number of TOTP generator apps with your computer. The device used for MFA can be the same one you log in from, as the additional factor they are using is that of something you have.

Alternatively, you could use a Mooltipass or YubiKey (I personally use the latter) for your MFA to avoid codes and apps (for the most part) altogether,

Edit: Just saw latest update. If you’ve got a smartphone, you do not need a SIM card, mobile data or a working phone number for most app-based methods to work. In most cases they work completely offline and where they don’t you can use your WiFi instead.

 

[Memenonymous]

MS 2FA is vulnerable to malicious number porting and SS7 attacks

You need a lot of money to-do an SS7 attack and be an adversary to some three letter agencies,stop fearmongering.
Just order a cheap Xiaomi on Amazon or get a Pixel from Google if you have money.