Ed Sheeran is dialing back time—both emotionally and digitally—as he prepares to release his latest single, Old Phone, on Thursday. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a series of throwback images and anecdotes that inspired the heartfelt track, including a nostalgic selfie with longtime friend Taylor Swift and a playful jab referencing Kanye West’s infamous 2009 MTV Video Music Awards interruption.
In a carousel of photos uploaded to his Instagram account, Sheeran, 34, opened up about the unexpected emotional journey he experienced after reactivating a phone he had abandoned nearly a decade ago.
“I got rid of my phone in 2015 and moved onto email full time,” Sheeran wrote in the caption. “I just turned my phone off in December ’15 and that was it.”
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Among the memories shared were a candid selfie with Swift, a note written on November 4, 2015, a photo of producer Benny Blanco at work, and a casual snapshot with his wife, Cherry Seaborn. But beneath the lighthearted photos lies a deeper narrative.
Revisiting the Past
Sheeran revealed that he was required to turn over old devices during the legal proceedings related to the Thinking Out Loud copyright lawsuits. When the devices were returned and he turned on his old phone, he was overwhelmed by what he discovered.
“I found messages from my friend Jamal [Edwards], who passed away in 2022. Messages from an ex-girlfriend I hadn’t spoken to in years, and even from a family member I’d been estranged from for over a decade,” Sheeran shared. “It felt like a time capsule. A moment in life that I had completely moved past.”
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The singer said the experience was deeply emotional, recalling tears as he read old conversations with friends who have since passed away. “It spun me out,” he admitted. “I found myself crying at messages to friends who are now dead, who I won’t get to speak to again. I found old photos of me with people I was so close to then, but we’ve lost touch since.”
The Birth of ‘Old Phone’
The raw emotion sparked by that digital reunion inspired Old Phone, which Sheeran wrote while finishing his forthcoming album Play in India.
“It feels like a song that should’ve been on my debut album, but also a song I couldn’t have written until I experienced real life,” Sheeran wrote. “It makes me emotional to sing. I hope it finds some emotion in you too.”
The singer encouraged fans to dig up their own digital histories. “Maybe it makes you switch on your old phone and have a look at where you were a decade ago too,” he added. “Whatever it does, I’m glad I wrote it.”
A Nostalgic Instagram Archive
To accompany the release, Sheeran launched a secondary Instagram account, @teddysoldphone, dedicated to more throwback content. There, fans can find even more personal photos, including images of Seaborn, email screenshots from celebrity friends like Elton John, and a quirky reference to Swift’s Red era.
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One standout post featured a jar of homemade jam labeled in Swift’s handwriting: “Yo Ed — I’m really happy 4 you and I’m gonna let u finish but this is the best JAM OF ALL TIME – T.” The label humorously nods to Kanye West’s infamous interruption of Swift’s 2009 VMAs speech—an incident that continues to live in pop culture infamy.
The selfie Sheeran shared with Swift—taken during the height of their Red Tour days—has reignited excitement among fans of both artists. Sheeran and Swift, who have collaborated musically and shared a close friendship for over a decade, have long delighted fans with their onstage chemistry and mutual admiration.
Building Toward ‘Play’
Old Phone will be Sheeran’s second release this month, following Azizam, which was accompanied by a music video featuring appearances by legendary Iranian singer Googoosh, actor Omid Djalili, and scenes from a traditional Persian wedding.
Play, Sheeran’s forthcoming album, has yet to receive an official release date but will follow 2023’s – (Subtract) and Autumn Variations, two records that leaned into more introspective, acoustic-driven themes.
The English singer has also been enjoying some lighter moments. Earlier this week, he went viral for a TikTok video in which he spent time with Snoop Dogg as the rapper rolled a blunt to the soundtrack of Azizam. Days before that, Sheeran made a surprise appearance at a Nashville pub, joining singer-songwriter Noah Kahan in a duet of Stick Season.
Whether looking back at old messages or jamming with new friends, Sheeran is finding ways to blend personal storytelling with public celebration. As Old Phone prepares to drop, fans can expect a nostalgic yet universally relatable track that captures the bittersweet feeling of looking back while moving forward.
‘Old Phone’ will be available on streaming platforms Thursday, May 1.
