Jack White, known as much for his commitment to analog living as for his contributions to modern rock, marked his 50th birthday this week by accepting a gift that many might consider long overdue: his first cell phone.

In an Instagram post shared Wednesday, White announced the milestone with a mix of humor and self-awareness, referring to himself as a “reluctant owner” of the device. The phone, a birthday present from his wife and fellow musician Olivia Jean, marks the first time in his life that the artist has owned a mobile device —a personal record he says he is proud to maintain. “Well, y’all, it’s either all over for me now or just the beginning,” he wrote. “I am now the reluctant owner of a cellular telephone for the first time in my life.”

Accompanying the message were photos taken by Jean, showing White holding an iPhone with an expression that suggested unfamiliarity more than enthusiasm. In the caption, he explained that growing practical limitations, such as not being able to stream his own music in the car or navigate parking systems reliant on QR codes, led him to reconsider. “I’ve been saying that my days were numbered for years… and I guess Olivia decided to be kind and put me (and all my loved ones) out of my misery.”

White has long positioned himself as a vocal critic of digital culture. From banning cell phones at his concerts to operating Third Man Records with a focus on vinyl and analog recording methods, he has consistently emphasized the importance of physical media and direct human interaction. In interviews, he’s spoken about the impact of technology on creativity, attention, and the social fabric, often expressing concern about how digital tools have reshaped modern life.

His decision to finally own a phone, then, represents a notable shift, if not in values, then at least in practicality. In his post, he acknowledged the symbolic weight of the moment: “I thought if I could make it to 50 years old at least without ever having one, that I could be proud of myself and I am.”

Though White’s announcement was met with a wave of amused reactions from fans and media alike, the gesture underscores a broader point: that navigating daily life in the digital age without a smartphone has become increasingly difficult, even for those deeply committed to staying offline. Tasks like parking, accessing tickets, and streaming music are now so tied to mobile technology that opting out is no longer just inconvenient; it can also be limiting.

Still, the tone of White’s message suggested that while he now owns a phone, his skepticism remains intact. He closed his post with a tongue-in-cheek remark: “My phone number is the square root of all of our combined social interaction times Pi.”

Whether the new device will change his relationship with technology or his famously guarded approach to public communication remains to be seen. However, for now, Jack White’s entry into smartphone ownership marks a quiet yet notable moment in the evolving relationship between analog artists and the digital world.