Use a dedicated e-reader instead of a phone for reading

A Kindle or similar e-reader does one thing: it shows you text, without notifications, apps, or a browser one swipe away.

Why it works

The biggest barrier to sustained reading on a phone is not distraction within the reading app but the availability of competing behaviors on the same device. The mere presence of other apps creates an opportunity cost pull — a background awareness that something more stimulating is available. A dedicated e-reader eliminates this pull at the device level, not by willpower.

How to do it

1. Choose a basic e-reader (Kindle, Kobo, or similar) without a browser or apps.
2. Keep it charged on your nightstand or reading chair — the single purpose means it is always ready.
3. Remove reading apps from your phone; the phone is no longer the reading option.
4. When you want to read and reach for your phone, let the habit redirect to the e-reader.

Evidence

Context-dependent behavior change research shows that the availability of alternative behaviors at the moment of decision is a primary driver of whether the intended behavior occurs. Removing alternatives at the device level is a structural form of this principle. (mechanistic)

No controlled studies directly compare e-reader versus phone for reading duration or comprehension; the mechanism is extrapolated from opportunity-cost and self-control research.

Common mistake

Keeping the reading app on the phone "as a backup" — which means the phone remains the path of least resistance in situations where the Kindle is not immediately available.