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The Brick differs from traditional Screentime apps by providing a physical barrier between you and your phone.
As a health writer, I faced a content dilemma: 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 in order to Protect my mental health. Even though I’ve been doing this work for 12 years, I haven’t found a workable solution yet.
maybe More than 1 billion people Those who spent at least three hours a day browsing social media in 2020 didn’t do so either, especially considering that the pandemic years boosted our browsing and created poor digital health habits from which many of us have never recovered.
Although iPhone and within the app Screen time limits Doesn’t work for me – I find it easy to disable it with just a few taps – I was curious to know more about the palm-sized device called Brick Which has gained popularity in the last few years. It’s a $59 square magnet that’s “powered by an NFC (near field communication) chip built into the device.” TJ DriverThe Brick co-founder tells CNET.
“Instead of relying on batteries or an external power source, it draws power directly from your smartphone’s NFC reader when you tap it,” he says. “This communicates with your Brick app to lock (or unlock) your specific apps, putting real friction between you and your screen time.”
Emphasis on: You have to physically tap your phone on the brick to activate or deactivate the lock, so you can’t simply tap it away like you would with a Screen Time alert or app on your phone.
To find out if the brick is the key to Breaking ties with deathI spent several months tapping my phone on the surface of that humble gray square.
How to anchor bricks in your life
Your brick purchase includes the actual brick and access to the Brick app, no subscription required. Inside the box is a QR code that takes you to a webpage where you can download the app for iOS or Android.
For the iOS app, Apple requires an iPhone passcode, but you can remove it after using Brick for the first time. As for Android users, Brick will also direct you to your device settings to allow Brick app, alarms, reminders, and notification access.
One brick can be used with multiple phones, and one phone can be used with multiple bricks if you want to keep them in different locations, such as home and work.
Magnetic bricks to my refrigerator.
How to start using bricks
Once you’ve created an account, you’ll need to give the app access to your phone’s screen time tracker. Then you create your first mode, name it and specify which apps and websites you want to block or allow when you enable it. You can create up to 10 modes for different occasions, such as work, study, family dinner and personal time.
All blocking information is stored locally on your phone, and Brick can’t see what you’ve blocked.
When you want to start or end a Brick session, simply tap the “Tap or Hold on Brick” button on the app’s home screen and then physically tap your phone on the Brick. You can also hold down the button for 5 seconds to “lock” your phone, but you’ll need the actual brick to “unblock” it.
You can also create a schedule for when your modes are enabled. It will start at a specific time on specific days and end at a specific time or when you tap the brick on your device.
The Brick app home screen where you can tap or hold this button to “create bricks” on your device.
Customizable settings
In the app, you can view your Brick activity and adjust settings, including access to five “emergency unblocks” that let you unblock your phone in an emergency without using the actual Brick. And yes, you only have five, so use them wisely.
In Settings, you can enable the following when your brick is active:
- Strict mode: Prevents you from terminating the session by deleting the application
- Block app installations: Prevents installation of applications
- Block in-app purchases: Limits on in-app purchases
- Blocking adult content: Limits adult content across apps and websites
- Live activities: The active Brick session timer displays at the top of your phone’s screen
- Notices: Allow training support notifications, check-ins, and updates to your account or app
In addition to being magnetic for refrigerators, cabinets, and the like, the brick has an anti-slip silicone bottom that keeps it in place on any surface.
There are many customizations you can make to your Brick sessions to prevent random scrolling.
My experience, brick by brick
After setting up the Brick app, I placed the actual box on my refrigerator. My thought process was that I tend to swipe on my couch, and my refrigerator is far enough away that I have to think twice before getting up to walk across my living room and kitchen to take advantage of the brick.
I created one mode called “Mindful Mode,” which I programmed to block all the social media apps and websites I tend to use: TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
Unlike screen time limits that only work on your phone, I love that Brick takes an extra step, allowing you to step away from the influence of your phone 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 the other activities available to you during your free time, suddenly staring at a screen doesn’t seem so appealing. Personally, I prefer spending time with my loved ones, reading on my balcony, birdwatching in a local park, or going for a walk. From FOMO to NO-MO.
What it looks like when you try to access one of your blocked apps.
My total time is a brick
So far, my longest Brick session has been 6 hours and 45 minutes. In total, I spent 35 hours with my dead phone. This feels really good.
Regardless of the numbers, I really think the brick has helped me spend less time on my phone. Social media is Designed to be addictiveSo having a physical barrier like a brick helps break the cycle and reminds you that there are more important things in life than your devices.
A weekly email summary I received from The Brick.
Are the bricks worth $60?
The Brick is priced at $59, but that does not 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 an adhesive backing so you can mount it to any surface. Magnetic interior allows bricks to lock into place. I wouldn’t recommend paying the extra cost unless you plan to stick the bricks to the wall and don’t want to use the command bar.
Similar devices include $39 Bloom card And $49 Block cardbut it is not magnetic and instead fits in your purse or pocket. There’s also a $27 one Delivery cancellation signbut that requires a Premium subscription Starting at $35 for six months.
For those who are particularly frugal, you can buy your own NFC tags ($13 for a pack of 50) or print the QR code. Then use free and open source Foqos application To block apps and websites.
All that said, while I wish Brick cost less, I like it and think it’s worth it compared to a wallet-sized card or one that requires a subscription. I love that it is magnetized on my fridge and I appreciate all the different customization options available in the app.
The brick fits easily in the palm of your hand, but it has the power to change the way you use your phone.
My final thoughts
I found it Brick Designed with care, it’s a helpful reminder that if you want to step away from your phone, sometimes you have to physically step away from it to clear your head. This leaves room for many possibilities on how to use your free time.
Although I still enjoy using the brick, I’ve found that I’m starting to spend less time scrolling without it. It’s as if all I needed was a square gray magnet to break the spell of the screen I was under. Who would have thought? Definitely not me, especially since I was more focused on the images and videos that appeared in front of my eyes non-stop.