Brick LLC Brick

It’s pretty easy to pick up your phone to check the weather and somehow end up scrolling the stock market app, reading emails, or bouncing between a few other apps along the way.

Brick is a small physical device that works with an app on your phone to block access to certain apps and websites. The idea is pretty simple: eliminate unwanted distractions and build better habits around how you use your phone.

My Favorite Feature: Scheduling

When I first bought Brick, I barely used it. I liked the concept, but having to remember to activate it wasn’t particularly effective. That changed when I started creating schedules.

Brick allows you to create different modes that automatically activate and deactivate at certain times of the day. Instead of remembering to block distractions whenever I want to concentrate, I can set up schedules around my routine and let the app do its thing.

This is what made Brick substantially more useful to me. I don’t have to think about when to use it because I’ve already made those decisions ahead of time.

How I Use It

I’ve created several different modes for different parts of my day. During working hours, I block certain communication apps on my phone, forcing me to access them from my computer. I’ve also scheduled apps I use for nonprofit work so they don’t become available until later in the evening.

My gym mode is probably the most restrictive. It blocks just about everything except music, my calendar, and a notepad.

I’ve also limited social media to a small window in the evening. I’m not anti-social media, but if I’ve got 15 minutes to kill during the day, I’d rather pick up a book than scroll through my phone.

Why the Physical Device Matters

Apple’s iOS has its own Screen Time limits, but they’re pretty easy to ignore. Brick is different because you have to physically tap your phone against the device to unlock whatever you’ve blocked.

I actually carry mine with me because there are times when I need access to certain apps. It’s not about making them impossible to use. It’s about making me think twice before opening them.

Other Features You May Enjoy

Brick includes a failsafe in case you need to access blocked apps but don’t have the physical device with you. The app provides five Emergency Unbricks that allow you to restore access without tapping the device.

I’ve never needed to use one, but it’s nice knowing the option exists if I ever find myself in a situation where I genuinely need access to something.

The app also includes a little gamification by tracking how much time you’ve spent Bricked, your average session length, and progress over time. I don’t pay much attention to these features, but I can see how they’d be useful for someone who enjoys tracking their progress and building better habits.

While writing this, I went to check the app and saw that Brick is blocking various apps 22.5 hours per day.

I originally bought Brick thinking I’d use it occasionally when I wanted to really concentrate but creating schedules completely changed how I use it. Now it’s part of my daily routine, and I don’t have to give much thought to it. Which, for something designed to help you spend less time thinking about your phone, is probably a good thing.