I love this brick. Something about the fact that it's added a physical barrier between me and bypassing whatever screentime limit I've set makes it incredibly effective. My screen time this week is the lowest it's been in months, and my productivity is way up because I can't doomscroll.
Obsessed ! Has changed my life and focus by having the additional layer of challenge in accessing my device and social apps. An ideal tool for a digital detox and minimal effort to set up and manage.
As a busy professional balancing a career with side projects, my phone is with me all the time. Since I use social media for work, I can't delete the apps, but I also can't afford to lose hours to mindless scrolling. Brick has been a great solution for my productivity over the last three months. I have not used any emergency unbricks!! I am so curious to what situation will actually trigger an emergency unbrick.
I only have one physical Brick and it usually stays at my house. I've seen people place them in their car or somewhere out of reach. Now that I am spending more time in the office, I have been really excited with the recent app updates. The new Set Timer function (starts at 30 mins and can add 5 mins increments during active session) is super helpful when I am away from the physical Brick.
If you struggle with screen time but need your phone for work, this is the best investment you can make. The Brick app blocks both the phone app and the browser version of the site along with the notifications on the lock screen.
Besides managing my screen time during the day, Brick has helped limit all my midnight impulse buys. I used to make unnecessary late night purchases while scrolling in bed, but now I brick my device after 11 PM. The extra effort required to get up from my cozy bed and scan the physical Brick is just enough friction to stop me.
I love my brick, I think anyone who wants to limit their screen time should have one! My partner and I share one and we keep it on the fridge, appreciate that it's magnetic.
My favourite way to use mine is for stopping bedtime + morning scrolling! I have a schedule that automatically blocks social apps from 11pm until the morning, and if I get in bed earlier I'll brick social apps before I get in bed so I don't get sucked into my phone when I should be sleeping! Then in the AM when I pick up my phone, social apps are still blocked until I'm out of bed and tap my phone on the fridge.
I'm aware that this isnt fancy technology, it's an NFC tag hidden in plastic and a companion app but I think the overall experience is lovely and I appreciate that everyone in the household can use it.