Completely Disable Phone Feature & Alternate Computer Option

I think the fact that mobile phones and the internet are so much a part of everyday life, it sometimes makes me want to let my sims do less of that stuff.  I particularly enjoy historical and fantasy saves, which is of course much harder in Sims 4 than in previous iterations because so much gameplay is tied to phones and computers.

Im totally with you. The problem is some interactions are so deeply tied to phones for no good reason like checking bills information. Go to lifestyle coaching and many services are on the phone and computer. Why "move household" is on the phone is beyond understanding. This is something we should do from the region map. Buying a vet clinic, retail store or restaurant is already in the lower right in its own menu. One sim heavily relies on plopsy which only works with the phone...

It makes no sense

You wont believe how many mods I accumulated to prevent sims from constantly doing something with their phones. I got a mod to lock computers and other electric stuff to specific sims. Another to prevent most idles. For the rest I use MCCC's autonomy tuner module.

On top of it all for a long time I played a castaway theme in sulani. I managed to disable the phones for the sims but its not working perfectly. And I had to place a computer and something to produce power for certain interactions. But mostly I managed without technology. And then the game tortures my sims because they dont have any technology and cant do anything with deep uncomfortable moodlets.

It makes no sense.

So I fully support a button to prevent sims from using their phones.

I wish a competing game would use the 90's or such as a setting so we don't have this. It's boring already to see people in real life constantly sit on their phones, we don't need our sims to do that too. 

It's been a mistake to try and focus too much on contemporary things either way, a more timeless setting would work better. A lot of stuff from sims 4's early years is already out of fashion or outdated anyway. 

Despite the update adding likes/dislikes phones/computers. It just makes when "you do have to use these items" by being rewarded with a negative moodlet. I'd rather alternate gameplay. Making "only have mobile/computer option" to do something even more annoying because now you upset your Sim by using mobile/computer (since there is no alternative).

Naturopath from EbN a nature themed pack has multiple computer daily tasks and my Sims do not have a computer on the lot making it harder to get promotions. I think that too much of the game relies on "use computer/phone" to get things done and it really ruins immersion. Off the Grid is missing many magical items (and lanterns) making it harder for magical based Sim functional decor/lighting/etc. lifestyle as well.

I really think we need 1-2 options. An era alternative for this who play era based games and/or a magic alternative for those who play magic based games. Simply if computers/mobiles turned off a non-computer/mobile option would be available instead. Such as the mailbox, or bring back the newspaper, a crystal ball (magic alternative), etc. Books/scrolls for writing/work tasks/etc.