{"id":923490,"date":"2026-10-07T02:28:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T02:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/923490\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T02:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T02:28:15","slug":"this-60-brick-changed-how-i-use-my-iphone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/923490\/","title":{"rendered":"This $60 Brick Changed How I Use My iPhone"},"content":{"rendered":"

My forever goal is to spend less time on my iPhone to protect my mental health. However, as a wellness writer whose job is to keep up with the latest health tech trends and news, it can be tough for me to reduce my screen time. Plus, iPhone and in-app\u00a0screen time limits don\u2019t work for me, as I find they\u2019re easy to disable in seconds with just a few taps.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the\u00a0over 1 billion people<\/a>\u00a0who spent at least three hours a day scrolling social media in 2020 can relate, especially given that the pandemic years supercharged our scrolling and created poor digital hygiene habits many of us still haven\u2019t recovered from.<\/p>\n

Yet, since its launch in 2023, a palm-sized device called the Brick has gained popularity for its ability to prevent people from endlessly scrolling on their phones. It\u2019s a $59 square magnet \u201cpowered by an NFC [near-field communication] chip embedded in the device,\u201d\u00a0TJ Driver<\/a>, the Brick\u2019s co-founder, told CNET.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of relying on batteries or an external power source, it draws power directly from your smartphone\u2019s NFC reader when you tap it,\u201d he says. \u201cThat communicates with your Brick app to lock (or unlock) your selected apps, putting real friction between you and your screen time.\u201d<\/p>\n

In other words, you have to physically tap your phone on the Brick to activate or deactivate the lock, so you can\u2019t simply tap it away like you would a screen time alert or an app on your phone.<\/p>\n

To find out if the Brick is the key to\u00a0cutting ties with doomscrolling<\/a>, I spent months tapping my phone on the surface of that unassuming gray square.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"A<\/p>\n

How to cement the Brick into your life<\/p>\n

Your purchase of the Brick includes the physical Brick and access to the Brick app, no subscription necessary. Inside the box, there\u2019s a QR code that takes you to a web page where you can download the app for iOS or Android.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For the iOS app, Apple requires an iPhone passcode, but you can remove it after you use the Brick for the first time. As for Android users, the Brick will also direct you to your device\u2019s settings to allow the Brick app, alarms and reminders and notification access.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One Brick can be used with multiple phones, and a single phone can be used with multiple Bricks if you want to keep them in different locations, such as at home and at work.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Brick magnetized to my fridge.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

How to start using the Brick<\/p>\n

Once you create an account, you\u2019ll need to grant the app access to your phone\u2019s screen time tracker. Then you create your first mode, name it and select the apps and websites you want to block or allow when enabled. You can create up to 10 modes for different occasions, such as work, studying, family dinner and personal time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

All blocking information is stored locally on your phone, and the Brick can\u2019t see what you block.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To start or end a Brick session, press the \u201ctap or hold to Brick\u201d button on the app\u2019s home screen, then tap your phone to the Brick. You can also hold down the button for five seconds to \u201cbrick\u201d your phone, but you\u2019ll need the physical Brick to \u201cunbrick\u201d it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can even create a schedule for when your modes are enabled. It\u2019ll start at a specific time on selected days and either conclude at a set time or when you tap the Brick with your device.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Brick app homescreen, where you can tap or hold that button to \u201cbrick\u201d your device.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

Customizable settings<\/p>\n

In the app, you can view your Brick activity and adjust settings, including access to five \u201cemergency unbricks\u201d that let you unbrick your phone in an emergency without using the physical Brick. And yes, you only get five, so use them wisely.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In settings, you can enable the following when your Brick is active:<\/p>\n

Strict mode:\u00a0Stops you from ending a session by deleting the app<\/p>\n

Block app installs:\u00a0Prevents installing apps<\/p>\n

Block in-app purchases:\u00a0Limits in-app purchases<\/p>\n

Block mature content:\u00a0Limits mature content across apps and websites\u00a0<\/p>\n

Live activities:\u00a0Shows an active Brick session timer at the top of your phone\u2019s screen<\/p>\n

Notifications:\u00a0Allow notifications for coaching support, check-ins and updates to your account or the app<\/p>\n

In addition to being magnetic for refrigerators, lockers and the like, the Brick has an anti-slip silicone bottom that keeps it in place on any surface.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

There are various customizations you can make to your Brick sessions to prevent doomscrolling.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

My experience, brick by brick<\/p>\n

After setting up the Brick app, I placed the physical square on my fridge. My thought process was that I tend to doomscroll on my couch, and my fridge is far enough away that I have to think twice before getting up to walk through my living room and kitchen to tap the Brick.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I created a mode called \u201cMindful Mode,\u201d which I programmed to block all social media apps and websites I tend to use, including TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Unlike screen time limits that only work on your phone, I love that the Brick requires an extra step, allowing you to step away from your phone\u2019s influence and take a moment to ask yourself: Do I really want to spend more time on my phone right now?<\/p>\n

When you have the space to actually think about all of the other activities available to you during your free time, suddenly staring at a screen doesn\u2019t seem so appealing. Personally, I\u2019d rather spend time with loved ones, read on my balcony, birdwatch at a local park or go for a walk. From FOMO to NO-MO.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

What it looks like when you try to access one of your bricked apps.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

My total Brick time<\/p>\n

As of right now, my longest Brick session was 72 hours. In total, I\u2019ve spent 540 hours with a bricked phone. That feels really good.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Numbers aside, I genuinely believe that the Brick has helped me spend less time on my phone. Social media is\u00a0designed to be addictive<\/a>, so having a physical barrier like the Brick helps break the cycle and remind you that there are more important things in life than your devices. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A weekly recap email I received from the Brick.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

Is the Brick worth $60?<\/p>\n

The Brick is $59, but that doesn\u2019t include shipping, which will vary by location. However, it is HSA\/FSA- eligible with a 30-day money-back guarantee.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For $12, Brick also sells a mount with adhesive backing so you can secure it to any surface. A magnetic interior allows the Brick to snap in place. I wouldn\u2019t recommend paying the extra cost unless you\u2019re planning to stick the Brick to the wall and don\u2019t want to use a Command strip.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Similar devices include the $39\u00a0Bloom Card<\/a>, but it isn\u2019t magnetic and instead fits in your wallet or pocket. There\u2019s also the $27\u00a0Unpluq Tag<\/a>, but that requires a\u00a0premium subscription<\/a>\u00a0starting at $29 for three months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For those who are especially thrifty, you can buy your own\u00a0NFC tags<\/a>\u00a0($13 for a 50-pack) or print a QR code. Then use the free, open-source\u00a0Foqos app<\/a>\u00a0to block apps and websites.<\/p>\n

All that said, while I wish the Brick were more affordable, I do love it and think it\u2019s worth it compared to a wallet-sized card or tag that requires a subscription. I like having it magnetized to my fridge and appreciate all the different customization options available in the app.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The Brick can easily fit in your palm, but has the power to change how you use your phone.<\/p>\n

Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n

My final thoughts<\/p>\n

I found the Brick<\/a> to be thoughtfully designed, and it\u2019s a helpful reminder that if you want to get away from your phone, you sometimes have to physically move away from it to clear your head. This leaves room for so many possibilities in how you can use your free time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even though I still enjoy using the Brick, I find that I\u2019m even starting to spend less time doomscrolling without it. It\u2019s like all I needed was a square gray magnet to break the screen time spell I was under. Who would\u2019ve guessed? Certainly not me, especially while I was more focused on the images and videos that endlessly appeared right before my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Anna\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnna Gragert\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSenior Editor, Health and Home\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnna Gragert (she\/her\/hers) was previously the lifestyle editor at HelloGiggles, the deputy editor at So Yummy and the senior lifestyle editor at Hunker. Over the past 12 years, Anna has also written for the LA Times, Elle, Bust Magazine, Dazed, Apartment Therapy, Well+Good and more. At CNET, she’s a senior editor on the Healthy Home team, and her coverage includes health, wellness tech, meal kits and home and kitchen tech with a focus on the technology that aims to help us live our healthiest, happiest lives.
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