Video summary

how i setup my iphone so it doesn't consume me | What’s in my iPhone 17 Pro Max!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Lifestyle

Overview

The creator argues phone addiction is common (they cite an average of ~7 hours/day) and can be worse when the phone is also a full-time work tool.

They share a “set up your iPhone so it doesn’t consume you” approach focused on:

  • Reducing distractions
  • Optimizing workflow
  • Putting the most-used tools at immediate reach, especially widgets and AI

The goal is to make helpful tools faster to access while making distracting apps harder to reach.

Phone & hardware highlights (iPhone 17 Pro Max)

  • Device: iPhone 17 Pro Max (in Cosmic Orange)
  • Notes on the device:
    • “best camera yet”
    • “biggest battery yet”
    • not “groundbreaking,” but a solid yearly refresh

Accessories

  • Case
    • Recommends using a case.
    • Uses a premium Caseify case because they’re often “out and about.”
  • Screen protector
    • Advises using one to avoid expensive repairs.
    • Mentions screen repair costs can reach hundreds of dollars.

Physical button setup

  • Camera Capture Button
    • Mostly used to open the camera quickly, especially when in a rush.
  • Action Button
    • Set to Flashlight
    • Described as a convenient lock-screen-friendly use.

Widget + lock screen setup

  • Wallpaper
    • A photo of the creator and their fiancée.
    • Chosen to blend with widgets (and they plan to adjust widget appearance).
  • Widgets on lock screen / key areas
    • Weather
    • Spotify
    • Timer/Clock (for laundry, cooking, gym rests)
    • Larger time display using an iOS “liquid glass” style (preferred look)
  • Top-of-home-screen / widgets concept
    • Emphasizes staying “actively” aware: date/weather, stocks, schedule/to-do

Lifestyle / health routine built into the setup

Nightly planning to reduce ADHD friction

  • Every night:
    • Create a to-do list for the next day
    • Use it like a “game” (check-offs help stay on track)
  • Example tasks include:
    • creator work (A-roll/B-roll editing, filming)
    • personal items (pickleball)

Home screen productivity system (step-by-step)

1) Reset your home screen

  • Don’t delete apps.
  • Only remove apps from the home screen to create a “blank canvas.”

2) Turn off notifications (major anti-addiction step)

  • Go to Settings → Notifications
  • Turn off notifications for every app
    • (Selective re-enabling comes later.)

3) Keep fewer home screen pages

  • Prefer 2 pages total for simplicity rather than many screens per “use case.”

4) Add widgets first

  • Use 2–3 widgets per page to consolidate:
    • reminders / to-do
    • frequently used actions
    • key info at a glance
  • Mentions Smart Stack to combine multiple widgets into one stack.

5) Re-add only essential apps

  • Specifically advises removing delivery apps like:
    • Amazon
    • DoorDash
  • Keep them farther away / harder to reach to reduce temptation and distraction.

6) Manually re-enable only what you truly need

  • Keep notifications on for:
    • Email (business + personal)
    • iMessage (personal + manager/business)
  • Turn off social media notifications entirely—even though it’s part of their job:
    • reduces “pickup time”
    • prevents doomscrolling

Social / media and attention management tips

  • Curate your algorithm
    • “Consume less and create more”
    • If content wastes time, tap “Not interested” to reduce it going forward.
  • Remove or deprioritize distraction platforms
    • Social media notifications off
    • Mentions using some apps far less (e.g., Snapchat, Facebook, TikTok Studio)

Notable app/tool categories organized on the iPhone

1) AI & quick action

  • ChatGPT widget and quick prompts
    • Used heavily instead of browsing/searching.
    • Example story: got stung by a paper wasp, asked ChatGPT what to do, and got instant guidance.

2) Finance folder (anti-chaos + visibility)

  • PayPal
  • Cash App (hardly used)
  • Venmo
  • Banking / credit / investing:
    • Discover (kept “just in case”)
    • Fidelity
    • Chase (personal + business credit cards)
    • Amex
    • Coinbase (crypto investing)
  • Security / management:
    • LastPass (used for laptop/PC + some phone usage)
    • Apple Passwords (recommended alternative for security/ease)
  • Other business tools:
    • QuickBooks (bookkeeping + CPA reporting)
    • Blossom (links investments and visualizes profit/loss)

Password caution (explicit advice):

  • Don’t store passwords in Google Docs or Apple Notes
  • Don’t write passwords on physical paper either
  • Use a password manager like Apple Passwords or LastPass

3) Travel folder

  • Airlines/apps:
    • Delta (primary)
    • American Airlines, Southwest, United (when others are needed)
    • American Express credit card tied to Delta travel
  • Other travel platforms:
    • Airbnb
    • Uber (main ride choice)
    • VO (scooter rental)
    • Flighty (favorite; paid Pro)
      • claims real-time updates: gate changes, baggage claim, delays
      • can share flight info with friends/family

4) Creator / creative tools

  • Lightroom (photo/video editing)
  • Monitor/Control app (controls/monitors camera display on iPad)
  • Camera identification:
    • “identifies photos” (e.g., iPhone model + ISO, f-stop, shutter speed)
  • Blackmagic camera app:
    • used as a “pocket cinema camera”
    • mentions adjusting ISO/shutter speed/log and applying LUTs
  • Canva (social media designs)
  • Lighting control:
    • GOI, Elgato, Nanoleaf (RGB/light setups)
  • Action camera / peripherals:
    • Insta360 (action cam)
    • DJI (Osmo Nano)

Control Center setup (efficiency-focused)

Kept “simple and efficient,” including:

  • Screen lock
  • Clock
  • Hearing (improved conversation listening with AirPods)
  • Screen sharing to TV
  • Silence notifications
  • Low power mode
  • Flashlight
  • Screen record
  • Dark/Light mode
    • strongly prefers dark mode
    • claims light mode is “wrong”
  • Do Not Disturb
  • Airplane mode, AirDrop Wi‑Fi
  • 3D Touch/press options for:
    • switching Wi‑Fi providers
    • switching Bluetooth devices
    • turning Personal Hotspot on/off
  • Brightness/volume modes (including transparency/noise cancellation) and a music widget

Notable locations, products, or speakers (as mentioned)

Products / brands

iPhone 17 Pro Max; Caseify; Apple (ecosystem); Apple Maps; Spotify; ChatGPT; LastPass; Apple Passwords; QuickBooks; Fidelity; Chase; Amex; Coinbase; Blossom; Smart Stack; Flighty; Delta Air Lines; American Airlines; Southwest; United; Airbnb; Uber; VO scooters; Blackmagic; Canva; Elgato; Nanoleaf (and RGB controllers); Insta360; DJI.

People / speakers

  • None explicitly interviewed
  • The creator references Chad GBT (ChatGPT)

Original video