The brick device is an ingenious solution to the problem of smartphone-induced distraction and (dare I say it) addiction. As someone who’s struggled with excessive screen time, I’ve tried everything to get it under control: dumb phones, focus apps, iOS website blocker, you name it. Dumb phones are too restricted for our modern world, and the apps are too easy to work around. Brick strikes the perfect balance of customization (keep what you want, filter what you don’t), and yet has the friction necessary to keep you off the distracting apps. With this system I can do things like listen to music, communicate with family, get an Uber, and use GPS on my smartphone without constantly falling down a rabbit hole of garbage content.
My hat is really off to these guys. They have made an awesome product serving a big need I had my life. The design is lovely and personal. Product works flawlessly. Thank you for building this!
This app/device has been tremendous in helping me reclaim my time from social media and other time-sucking apps. I keep my Brick device on my fridge and I don’t ‘unbrick’ until I’ve spent two hours tech free in the morning. I also make sure to keep my phone in brick mode while working from home. Sometimes, I even keep brick mode enabled while I’m out so I can remember to be fully present. It’s helped make me more intentional about when I’m using my phone. My only gripe, is that there is no ability to preschedule brick mode - that would be very useful. I notice that when I forget to enable it myself before bed, sometimes I start scrolling on auto pilot in the morning whereas, if the app were to automatically go into brick mode on a schedule that coincided with my ‘do not disturb’ schedule I’d be much more equipped to mindfully complete my routines. Could this feature be added? Thank you so much for your brilliant offering. Not only do I have a brick for myself, but I’ve even gifted one to a friend. Brick to the world✌🏽
My smartphone had become the ultimate catch-22; I needed it to seemlessly function in modern society (QR codes, mobile banking, etc.), but I was hopelessly and shamefully addicted to the time-wasting apps on it. It sounds so silly, but I tried my hardest to use the OS time limit functions to put some boundaries on my phone use but failed. It turns out that these little screens have been engineered to be as addictive as possible, so sheer willpower alone is sometimes too difficult. Enter Brick: the solution I never knew I needed in our digital dystopia. Putting a physical boundary between you and the addicting stuff on your phone is such simple logic, but more importantly it just works, period. The weight of constantly falling short of my expectations to curb my phone use is gone, all thanks to this little piece of plastic. After years of trying, with one click of that awesome “Brick” button I’ve finally made it off the grid! Deuces internet! ✌️
I am doing the rounds today reviewing this device/app everywhere I can find. I bought two Bricks a few weeks ago... and my relationship with my phone has COMPLETELY CHANGED. I know I shouldn't need this. I know there are settings and other software tools available as part of the OS's and thru third party. I know it's downright silly. But dammit IT WORKS. I have two Bricks. One is in the back passenger door pocket of my car and the other is in my work backpack where it immediately falls to the very bottom,... requiring a good amount of digging and then refilling to obtain. Countless times, every day, I pick up my phone out of complete and even unaware compulsion, only to put it back down because there's nothing "attention grabbing" accessible. It's actually become less and less... as the habit of grabbing it fades over time. I could go on and on... but if you think you might need or want this... you will not be disappointed. Also, there are specific instructions to block Safari... as it's definitely one of my wasters(since the apps are accessible via the web). Feel free to ask any questions,. I DO NOT work for Brick nor have I been given and compensation... I paid full price for my Bricks. I just wanted to provide an honest opinion form a very satisfied customer.
Love this so much. It is great to set up limits on my phone to help with screen time usage. It is so much better than the built in iPhone time screen restrictions. Also perfect for setting up a kiddos phone. We have used Bark subscription and built in iPhone features and neither are as user friendly as brick and brick has better blocking options! Since this is still slightly under development/new, one suggestion I would love to see added as a feature is the ability to enter brick mode on your phone without the brick. I understand not being able to unbrick it while away from it ( except the emergencies) but there have been a few times I’ve unbricked it for responsible use at home and then forgot to brick it before leaving the house and wished I could!
This is the first device and app I’ve tried that actually keeps me off my phone. Yes, the first few usages it was pretty hard and almost stressful that I was locked out of my phone, but now it’s becoming a great habit, and it’s actually improving my day. Whenever I leave the house, I tap my phone against the brick that’s hanging on my fridge door and turn it on. I have also set up different brick modes for different occasions when I leave the house which is an awesome feature. It makes my day way more productive with much less time stuck in my phone. Breaking habits with phone usage is a struggle, but this is an amazing tool that is actually helping me reduce my phone usage in real time.
I don’t usually send direct feedback to developers, but I wanted to let you know how much your product has changed my life.
I have type 1 diabetes. All of my diabetes management is through my iPhone. So, I’ve never been able to “just turn off my phone” to reduce phone addiction. Im convinced that having all of my diabetes management on my iPhone has revolutionized my physical health, but unfortunately has also made my phone addiction much worse. For example, I’ll pick up my phone to check my blood glucose, but that will lead me down a rabbit hole of checking everything else (and sometimes forgetting to check my blood glucose!).
The brick device has made my phone a health management tool minus the distractions, which is what I’ve been looking for for years. I did a 9.5 hour brick session today, which was the first day I could use your device. It was amazing. You have perfectly solved an issue that has pestered me for years.
Thanks so much for what you do. I will be a lifetime customer.
This product/app has significantly improved my overall quality of life! With the modern day of smart phones, the amount of time just a few handful of apps can condition behavior to check a smart phone is wild. I’ve tried using the apps limit feature on the pre-installed screen saver app in my iPhone but having the option to bypass the block within the same notification as the time limit being reached was far too easy. It ended up not doing much. Having to scan a physical product to block/unblock those apps creates a mental barrier and provides a moment to think about my intent. Being able to place the product elsewhere created a physical barrier. I feel so much more present in my daily waking hours. My overall productivity in my work and personal life has increased. Also not wasting time mindlessly scrolling before bed so improvement in sleep too! Can’t thank the creators enough!!!!!
sstallings67
Reclaim time, feature needed
TPayne567
RichieZ22908
kybritt
Shookie26
joshuag200
DQNDan