In a world of cell phones, WiFi, and portability, it may seem like landlines have fallen by the wayside. But Gen Z seems to have rediscovered them and, if their social media accounts are anything to go by, are actively trying to bring them back.
@inconsistentlyamazing Replying to @Jeniversal I love me a good old fashioned wall phone! #oldschoolvibes #phone #analog
Why Does Gen Z Love Landlines?
There seem to be two main camps when it comes to this resurgence in landline love.
Minimizing technology
For some people, reinstalling a landline is a way to minimize their use of technology and cut down on screen time. They still have a way to connect with people and reach out if there’s an emergency, but they don’t have to have their cell phone on them while at home to do so.
@shawtybaetherealist is this as aesthetic as I think it is or no… #fyp #nostalgia #vintagevibes #y2k #relateable
Looking for a retro aesthetic
For many of the Gen Z people posting about landlines on social media, however, the primary motivation seems to be nostalgia. Something about dialing on a rotary phone or playing with the cord of the wall-mounted landline brings back fond memories from the 90s and early 2000s, and even earlier. Whether it’s the Mean Girls phone-calling scene or a music video like Taylor Swift’s “Our Song”, there are plenty of iconic pop culture references that make use of landlines.
How Are People Using Landlines?
A deep dive into the “landlines” hashtag on TikTok shows that there area couple of different ways that people are reintroducing landlines into their homes.
@caitybegg Replying to @Precious Wright @progressiontoanalog episode on my experience with a landline and landline trends coming soon! If you want a landline but want to avoid the higher price, eBay is a great place to look. #analog #landline #phones #smartphone #progressiontoanalog
Phone jack
People who are looking into landlines primarily to reduce their screen time have the option of finding one that plugs into their phone jack— assuming they live in a home that still has one. While many newer builds are phasing out phone jacks, older homes often still have them. This Must Be Home reports that older adults and families with young children often do still want a landline, so they haven’t been entirely phased out yet.
Bluetooth and WiFi
Bluetooth products seem to come up the most often when looking into this trend. CBC reports that the Tin Can is a popular option with parents of young kids who want to give them a safe and controlled way to reach out for help in an emergency. For Gen Zers who are looking for a retro aesthetic, there are a plethora of Bluetooth options available so that they can sync their cell phone with the physical, corded one.
Sources
Do New Houses Have Phone Jacks?, This Must Be Home.
Your past is calling: Why ‘retro’ landline phones are trending with adults and kids alike, CBC, 2026.
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