The Brick differs from traditional screentime apps by providing a physical barrier between you and your phone.
As a wellness writer, I’ve run into a content conundrum: My job requires me to be online to stay up to date on current events and trends, but I also want to spend less time on my phone to protect my mental health. Despite doing this job for 12 years, I still haven’t found a viable solution.
The Brick magnetized to my fridge.
Once you create an account, you’ll need to grant the app access to your phone’s screentime tracker. Then you create your first mode, name it and select the apps and websites you want to block or allow when enabled. You can create up to 10 modes for different occasions, such as work, studying, family dinner and personal time.
All blocking information is stored locally on your phone, and the Brick can’t see what you block.
When you want to start or end a Brick session, you simply press the “tap or hold to Brick” button on the app’s home screen and then physically tap your phone to the Brick. You can also hold down the button for 5 seconds to “brick” your phone, but you’ll need the physical Brick to “unbrick” it.
You can even create a schedule for when your modes are enabled. It’ll start at a specific time on selected days and either conclude at a set time or when you tap the Brick with your device.
There are various customizations you can make to your Brick sessions to prevent doomscrolling.
After setting up the Brick app, I placed the physical square on my fridge. My thought process was that I tend to doomscroll on my couch, and my fridge is far enough away that I have to think twice before getting up to walk through my living room and kitchen to tap the Brick.
I created one mode called “Mindful Mode,” which I programmed to block all social media apps and websites I tend to use: TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
Unlike screentime limits that only work on your phone, I love that the Brick requires an extra step, allowing you to get away from your phone’s influence and take a moment to ask yourself: Do I really want to spend more time on my phone right now?
When you have the space to actually think about all of the other activities available to you during your free time, suddenly staring at a screen doesn’t seem so appealing. Personally, I’d rather spend time with loved ones, read on my balcony, birdwatch at a local park or go for a walk. From FOMO to NO-MO.
A weekly recap email I received from the Brick.
The Brick is $59, but that doesn’t include shipping, which will vary by location. However, it is HSA/FSA- eligible with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For $12, Brick also sells a mount with adhesive backing so you can secure it to any surface. A magnetic interior allows the Brick to snap in place. I wouldn’t recommend paying the extra cost unless you’re planning to stick the Brick to the wall and don’t want to use a Command strip.
Similar devices include the $39 Bloom Card and $49 Blok Card, but those aren’t magnetic and instead fit in your wallet or pocket. There’s also the $27 Unpluq Tag, but that requires a premium subscription starting at $35 for six months.
For those who are especially thrifty, you can buy your own NFC tags ($13 for a 50-pack) or print a QR code. Then use the free, open-source Foqos app to block apps and websites.
All that said, while I wish the Brick were more affordable, I do love it and think it’s worth it compared to a wallet-sized card or tag that requires a subscription. I like having it magnetized to my fridge and appreciate all the different customization options available in the app.
