New Year Digital Declutter

A cluttered phone pulls at your attention all day. Give it one afternoon and start 2027 with less noise.

Home screen and apps

Delete apps you haven't opened in a monthMove social apps off your home screenKeep only tools on the first pageTurn on a simple, calm wallpaper

Notifications

Turn off notifications for everything that isn't from a personTurn off badges (red dots) for social and shopping appsSet a Focus or Do Not Disturb schedule for nightsSilence group chats you don't need to see live

Email

Unsubscribe from ten newslettersArchive everything older than three monthsTurn off email notifications on your phoneCreate one folder for receipts

Photos and files

Delete screenshots you no longer needDelete duplicate photos and blurry shotsBack up your photosClear your downloads folder

Security

Update your phone's softwareChange any password you've reusedTurn on two-factor sign-in for email and bankingReview which apps can see your location

Screen time

Check last week's screen time reportSet a daily limit for your most-used appCharge your phone outside the bedroom

More life checklists

Year-End Money ChecklistChecklist · before Dec 31 Moving ChecklistChecklist · 8 weeks out to day one After-Holidays ResetChecklist · first week of January Emergency checklistsstorm, outage, go bag

Questions

How do I declutter my phone?

Delete unused apps, move distracting ones off the home screen, turn off non-human notifications, clear old photos and update your security settings.

How long does a digital declutter take?

Most people can do the basics in one afternoon. Email and photo clean-up can be spread over a few short sessions.