I went another route. I bought a second phone.

I have my regular main phone that I use M-F for work and personal.

then I bought a second phone and installed GrapheneOS on it. I use this phone when I go out or doing anything on the weekends. I only have a few contacts on it and only 2 apps that I use that are my banking app and Signal. Keeps all the distractions away from me.

I bought a used unlocked Pixel 7 Pro off eBay for $250 so it wasnt the cheapest route but sure makes it really easy.

This is the way. Uninstalling instagram, facebook, youtube, reddit, and tiktok genuinely worked for me. Otherwise it's like trying to diet when your pantry is fully stocked with every possible ultra-satisfying snack food under the sun.

I deleted the apps and then also got the mobile web/ native apps versions. it also seems the algorithm is very hamstrung given that the browser versions cannot access all of those phone permissions. now it makes it think what all data are your apps even collecting?