Kia Access vs Brick
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kia Access
This official app provides Kia owners with easy access to vehicle information, maintenance schedules, and payment details. For connected vehicles, it offers remote control features, health reports, and navigation assistance. Electric and plug-in hybrid owners can also manage charging and find stations.
- Owner's Manual and warranty information
- Vehicle payment details
- Maintenance milestone tracking
- Remote vehicle health reports
- Remote lock/unlock and find car
- Remote climate control
- EV charging station locator
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Kia Access is the official Kia America, Inc. owner’s app. Kia Access makes getting your vehicle information and services easier than ever. Gain all the benefits of the Kia Owner’s Portal, combined with many of the convenient, streamlined features of Kia Connect (formerly known as UVO link) (if equipped) [1] [2] [4] – right in the palm of your hand. Download the app to access: • Owner’s Manual, quick guides, videos, and warranty information • Vehicle payment information (if financed through Kia Motors Finance) • Information about maintenance milestones Vehicles equipped with Kia Connect may also have access to the following features: • Vehicle health reports [2] • Send locations to your vehicle’s navigation system [3] • Remotely lock/unlock doors and initiate horns & lights [2] • Remotely find your car [3] • Remotely set your car’s cabin temperature [4] Plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles support special features, including: • Remotely check battery status and estimated driving range • Locate charging stations • Schedule charging times Get Kia Access today! Kia eServices users – Please use the Kia eServices app. Create an owner account directly from the app or go to: Kia.com/owners [1] Kia Connect is currently unavailable for Model Year 2022 vehicles sold or purchased in Massachusetts. See Kia Connect Terms of Service for more information. [2] Features only available for vehicles equipped with Kia Connect. Determine Kia Connect availability for your vehicle by visiting: https://owners.kia.com/content/owners/en/uvo-availability.html/ Vehicle health reports are not a substitute for regularly scheduled maintenance. Vehicle health reports check powertrain, chassis, and airbag systems, and require initial activation. See Owner’s Manual for details and maintenance schedule. [3] Vehicle must be equipped with Kia Connect and navigation [4] Some vehicles with Kia Connect may not support remote climate control (e.g., 2019 Optima LX). Do not use remote climate control or remote start if vehicle is in an enclosed area (e.g., closed garage) or a partially enclosed area without ventilation. Close all doors leading from adjacent living areas to the vehicle area before executing a remote climate control or remote start command Use of Kia Access is subject to agreement to the Kia Privacy Policy (available at https://www.kia.com/us/en/content/privacy-and-legal/privacy-policy) and Terms of Service (available at https://www.kia.com/us/en/content/terms-of-use). Kia Connect features require an active Kia Connect subscription; purchase/lease of certain new Kia vehicles with Kia Connect includes a complimentary 1-year subscription starting from new vehicle retail sale/lease date as recorded by the dealer. After the complimentary 1-year Kia Connect subscription expires, continued access to the full suite of Kia Connect services available on the vehicle will require a paid subscription at the then-current subscription rate or use of certain Kia Connect features may immediately terminate. Use of Kia Connect is subject to agreement to the Kia Connect Privacy Policy (available at https://owners.kia.com/us/en/privacy-policy.html) and Terms of Service (available at https://owners.kia.com/us/en/terms-of-service.html). Contact Kia at 800-333-4KIA (4542) or https://customercare.kiausa.com for questions or help with enrollment. Only use Kia Connect when safe to do so. Message and data rates may apply. Cellular and GPS coverage is required to use most features. Kia Connect features may vary by model, model year, and trim level. Features, specifications, and fees are subject to change. For more on details and limitations, visit https://owners.kia.com/content/owners/en/uvo-availability.html/ or your authorized Kia dealer. Kia Connect may currently be unavailable for Model Year 2022 and newer vehicles sold or purchased in Massachusetts; please see the Kia Owner's Portal for updates on availability.
Brick
This app helps you regain focus by temporarily removing distracting applications and notifications from your phone. It uses NFC hardware to create distraction-free periods, allowing you to concentrate on important tasks or activities. Reconnect with your apps by simply tapping your device again.
- Temporarily remove distracting apps
- Block notifications
- Customize unblocked apps
- Track usage history
- NFC hardware integration
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Brick is the world's first digital wellness tool designed to create a more intentional relationship with your technology. In a world designed for constant distraction, Brick introduces a simple but powerful idea: friction. By adding physical barriers, Brick creates a deliberate pause between impulse and action — turning smartphones back into tools for what matters. With the Brick app, you can design your personalized system to block distractions using both your Brick and Brick Night — allowing you to do more of what matters. Brick is a physical device that helps you block distracting apps on your phone. Tap to start a Brick session, then place Brick somewhere out of reach and go live your life. When you’re ready to be connected again, simply tap to Unbrick. Unlike screen-time settings and blocker apps that switch off in a second, Brick isn't on the phone you're trying to put down. It's a physical barrier you can't swipe out of. Brick Night automatically blocks the apps you choose when you enter your bedroom. Unlike app blockers, Brick Night uses Bluetooth to know when you're in your bedroom, creating a simple boundary around your sleep — so you don't have to remember to activate it every night. The result: fewer late-night distractions, fewer mornings lost to your feed, and a bedroom that feels like the sanctuary you intended it to be. FEATURES - Select the apps you’d like to block, and keep what you need. Temporarily remove distracting apps and their notifications from your phone, leaving only what you choose - Block any app (except the dialer, per Apple policy) and select Safari websites - Create custom modes for different parts of your day: Work, Family, Sleep, Gym, Study, Focus, and more - Create custom schedules to automatically block apps during specific moments of your day - A built-in focus timer tracks how long you stay undistracted - 5 Emergency Unbricks included for unexpected situations - Usage history tracks your progress so you can see how your habits improve over time DESIGNED FOR EVERY PART OF YOUR LIFE Parents use Brick to create device-free family time and build healthier habits around technology. Students rely on it during study sessions and exam prep when focus matters most. Professionals use it for deep work without the constant pull of notifications. Athletes keep it in the locker room to stay locked in before competition. Brick is also a thoughtful gift for anyone trying to build a healthier relationship with their screen habits, reduce anxiety from constant notifications, or simply spend less time scrolling and more time living. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING Featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Economist, Fortune, Vogue, TechCrunch, CNET, Fast Company, The Washington Post, Business Insider, and The New Yorker. With over 55,000 five-star reviews, people describe Brick as the thing that finally helped them break free from screen addiction. Join a growing community choosing to take back their time and reclaim hours lost to technology. HSA & FSA ELIGIBLE 30% average savings on Brick and Brick Night with HSA/FSA through our partnership with Truemed. Use pre-tax dollars to invest in your digital wellness and mental health. HSA/FSA funds accepted for qualified Truemed customers. HSA/FSA tax savings vary. Learn more at truemed.com/disclosures. WHAT'S INCLUDED Your purchase includes the physical Brick or Brick Night and full access to the companion app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Brick at 78% against Kia Access's 33%. Brick also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). Kia Access's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and ratings volume (433K vs 59K). On price, ads, in-app purchases and chart position there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Brick holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kia Access has 433K ratings behind it against 59K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Kia Access's written reviews are positive against 78% of Brick's.
Kia Access ships an update fortnightly, Brick every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Kia Access | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (433K ratings) | 4.9 (59K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.5% of reviews | 78.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 433K — better | 59K |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #44 — better | #90 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 221 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kia America, Inc. | Brick LLC (Wisconsin) |
Customer experience
Kia Access
Brick
User reviews
Kia Access
From 433K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Remote start and climate control
- 👍 Convenient features like find my car
- 🔒 Security features like geofencing alerts
Room to improve
- 🐛 App frequently fails to execute commands
- ⏱️ Slow response times and connection issues
- 💰 Expensive monthly subscription fees
- 🤔 Inconsistent app functionality after updates
Brick
From 59K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great concept
- 🚀 Helps reclaim time and attention
- 🔒 Physical barrier prevents mindless usage
- 💡 Customizable blocking/allowing modes
- 🚀 Improves productivity and focus
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
- 🐛 Unreliable app functionality
- 🐛 Inconsistent app behavior after updates
- 🐛 Difficulty setting up and configuring
- 🐛 Limited number of apps that can be allowed
Bugs and requests
Kia Access
Reported bugs
4 issues- Remote start not working as expected
- App logging users out frequently
- Incorrect vehicle status information
- Scheduled commands not executing properly
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to control heated/ventilated seats
- Customizable remote start duration
- Widget or Apple Watch app support
- More detailed vehicle diagnostics
Brick
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes when selecting apps to block/allow
- Saved settings get deleted or reset unexpectedly
- Inability to block certain apps like Safari
- Bricked mode not working as expected after phone restart
Requested features
4 requests- Scheduled bricking/unbricking modes
- Remote bricking option
- Ability to block more than 50 apps
- Improved app stability and reliability
In-app purchases
Kia Access
No in-app purchases
Brick
No in-app purchases









